Frank Baines
Elegance
Dressage Saddles
Manufacturer: Frank Baines
Model: Elegance
Category: Dressage Saddles
Purchase: Purchased new from Victoria Saddlery, $2400 Canadian. purchased for husband to ride in since the saddle the fit the horse he was riding fit ME and not him...
Likes: this is a GREAT Saddle. we got the medium tree, and the 17.5 seat so as to fit my hubby. I ride in a Passier GG 17inch... and I have to tell you.... once I rode in hubby's saddle.. well we fight over who gets to use it! its SO comfy and interesting that he loves it too so it seems very versatile. the twist is fairly narrow and yet doesn't bother him. What is very interesting is that it was purchased for a fairly high withered (has a nice cutback pommel) slab sided tb type arab, and yet it also fits our wider backed horse, our coming 5 year old mare AND my 16.2 anglo arab gelding. I will be buying another baines for myself very soon! the quality of the leather is very very nice, we have the buffalo version. the billets are soft, the saddle broke in very quickly and was comfy from day one. the horses seem to love it, and it sits you very very nicely, no fighting for leg position. the v billet system works well to place the saddle correctly and the nice wide panels make for a nice spread on the horses back. I have to say we've been very impressed with how this saddle has adapted for all of our horses and everyone that sits in it falls in love. for a mid range price saddle this is definitely a really really good buy.
Dislikes: the ONLY thing I can say I don't like about this saddle is that some of the black colouring is coming off on the very top of the flap, the bit over the stirrup bar. however, I have to admit that it did get ridden in a torrential rainstorm at one show and I"m sure that didn't help. the leather itself is holding up perfectly, its more of a cosmetic thing. one other thing I could fault it for.. its SO comfortable that it makes my passier feel like concrete! and every other saddle I've tried since really hasn't come close to being as pleasant to sit in.
Quality: quality and construction is very very good. I tried a childeric recently that was TWICE the price and it wasn't nearly as well made. stitching is good, leather is high quality and the feel is lovely. nothing cheap about this saddle and no short cuts.
Summary: Definitely a great saddle to have in the barn from the point of view of versatility of fit, ease of care, and comfort for rider and horse plus incredible value for money. Highly recommend.
Rating: 5
Author: Rodent
Date: 2007-02-20
Usefulness Rating: 3.66667 out of 5.
57 reader(s) voted.
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