Beval
Stamford
Close Contact Saddles
Manufacturer: Beval
Model: Stamford
Category: Close Contact Saddles
Purchase: I bought this saddle new from Beval and paid around 739.00 new.
Likes: I like the comfort in the seat of this saddle. It is fairly nicely padded and it fits me wonderfully. These only come in full sizes so as a 16" it really is supposed to be for anyone who wants a 16-17". The saddle has fit almost every horse (6) that I have tried it on as far as the contact with their backs etc..
Dislikes: Unfortunately...this saddle sits naturally UPHILL in a dramatic way. I find that unless I am riding a horse that is built very downhill at the wither, this saddle is only level and balanced if I use a riser pad to elevate the rear of the saddle by a good inch or two. I am finding that I am shimmying it to accommodate my individual horses needs. The only horse that I don't need anything wedged in the back of the saddle is my quarter mare who is 3 inches higher in the rump than wither. The other issue with this saddle is...myself and two other friends who have the Stamford have found that it puts your leg ahead of your seat (shoulder, hip, ankle) and makes you sit in a CHAIR position. Instead of your Hip shoulder ankle being aligned one below the other...you are sitting with your leg too far ahead of yourself. almost causing you to get stuck in the back of the saddle. This is helped a "little" bit by adding the riser pad, but it still is not a "fix" as far as position goes.
Quality: Very well built. Quality craftsmanship.
Summary: Great for the downhill horse or must be used with a riser pad. Someone who naturally has trouble keeping their leg from slipping ahead of them and not under them will exacerbate (sorry for the spelling) this issue, but overall very comfortable and well made.
Rating: 3
Author: Whitney
Date: 2007-04-11
Usefulness Rating: 5 out of 5.
6 reader(s) voted.
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