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.
Other Reviews You May Find Interesting
Henri de Rivel Pro Close Contact Close Contact Saddles
Devoucoux Biarritz Close Contact Saddles
Henri de Rivel Advantage Close Contact Saddles
Beval Natural Close Contact Saddles
Henri De Rivel Close Contact Saddle Close Contact Saddles
Tad Coffin A5 Close Contact Saddles
Beval Butet Close Contact Saddles
Wintec Caramel Close Contact w/ equi leather Close Contact Saddles
Wintec Close contact with cair and easy change gullet Close Contact Saddles
Le Councours LTD. Close Contact Close Contact Saddles
St. Lourdes Tango Close Contact Saddles
Wintec Close Contact Saddle Close Contact Saddles
BdH Close Contact 16.5" Saddle Close Contact Saddles
Crosby Prix De Nations Close Contact Saddles
Beval Stamford Close Contact Saddles
Zaldi Star 17" Close Contact Saddles
Paris Tack Lafette Close Contact Close Contact Saddles
Bruno de Heusch Close Contact Saddle 17" Reg. Close Contact Saddles
Courbette Aristokrat Close Contact Saddles
Crosby Centennial Close Contact 17 / Short / Forward Close Contact Saddles