Bates
Caprilli
Close Contact Saddles
Manufacturer: Bates
Model: Caprilli
Category: Close Contact Saddles
Purchase: I bought my saddle from equusnow.com. I paid the going retail price of $1795.00 US, but this seller included stirrups, Bates leathers, saddle cover, a bridle and girth. And the complete gullet kit!
Likes: I shopped everywhere and put my butt in a LOT of saddles before I decided on the Bates Caprilli. It is the most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden in! In addition to being comfortable, it's very well balanced, I feel like I just "lock in" the correct alignment every time I mount up.
The leather was supple and had that broken in feel from day one. Any scuffs or scratch marks on the leather just disappear as soon as I clean the saddle. My horse loves the CAIR panels. He rounds up under saddle much more readily now, and has stopped giving me dirty looks at tacking up time. The Cair panels make the saddle very light compared to traditional saddles, which I like since I'm only 5 feet tall so I have a long way to heft my saddle!
The gullet change system is great if you ride different horses, or if your horses' weight or shape changes.
Dislikes: It can be tricky the first time you try to change the gullet. I managed the first time by following the instructions that come with the saddle, but it would really help if you have someone who's done it before show you.
Quality: This saddle is very well made, I have no complaints about either the materials or the workmanship. It looks and performs just as well as some of the more expensive "status name" brands.
Summary: This is a great saddle for hunter/jumper riders. The quality is outstanding and I think it's one of the most functional saddles out there.
Rating: 5
Author: Christina
Date: 2005-08-05
Usefulness Rating: 4.94444 out of 5.
18 reader(s) voted.
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