Frank Baines
Reflex Dressage Saddle
Dressage Saddles
Manufacturer: Frank Baines
Model: Reflex Dressage Saddle
Category: Dressage Saddles
Purchase: I bought this saddle used through Trumbull Mountain Saddlery. I have gone through five dressage saddles, trying to find something to fit my young warmblood and me. I paid $1750 for it, and it is in superb condition.
Likes: When I first sat in it, the twist felt really wide to me and I thought I wouldn't like it. It is a mono flap, though, and once I started riding in it, I liked it more and more and felt I had very close contact with my horse. It has a very flat space to sit, which is something I love -- you don't feel trapped in this saddle, yet the knee rolls and seat support well. This saddle has a fairly straight tree and fits my medium-withered, straight-backed 16 hh (small for a warmblood) horse. I love it more every day.
Dislikes: The only thing I'd improve on this saddle if I got another one is to get the buffalo leather to make it a little grippier since I prefer to ride in kneepatch breeches and not full seats, but I'm definitely not complaining.
A point to note is that these saddles run rather wide, in my humble opinion. My horse was a 35-36 cm in a Prestige (but the tree was too curvy) and this is a medium-wide tree, and I've had it flocked more in the front since it's a little wide for him.
Quality: Construction and quality is excellent -- far beyond the price range of saddle it is in. The billets are so pliable, they actually feel "buttery," yet the holes haven't stretched, and this is a used saddle!
Summary: I do recommend sitting in one before you buy, but it is superb quality and fit. My next saddle will also be a Frank Baines.
Rating: 5
Author: swillybay
Date: 2011-12-30
Usefulness Rating: 3 out of 5.
25 reader(s) voted.
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