Frank Baines
Elan Close Contact
Close Contact Saddles
Manufacturer: Frank Baines
Model: Elan Close Contact
Category: Close Contact Saddles
Purchase: I purchased this saddle second hand from Tack Trader ad. The seat had a tear in the seam and I paid $750 for it. I had heard good things about the Baines Dressage saddles so decided to give the Elan a try.
Likes: I have ridden nearly every jump saddle made and this saddle just puts you in the "sweet spot" for jumping. The narrow twist and wide seat make it extremely comfortable for everyday riding but this saddle really excels in the Hunter/Jumper ring.
Dislikes: The only thing I don't like is that my horse grew too wide for the saddle and I had to go on the search for a wide tree.
Quality: The saddle is at least 4 yrs old and could pass for being only a couple of months old. The leather is soft and there is no "break-in" time. My Elan has the thigh and calf blocks and they are well made also. The only down side is if you tend to ride in jeans instead of breeches you can wear the seam in the seat fairly easily.
Summary: I love this saddle and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one or to recommend it to anyone looking for an everyday or show saddle.
Rating: 5
Author: J. Jones
Date: 2010-10-04
Usefulness Rating: 3.13636 out of 5.
22 reader(s) voted.
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