Albion
HR
Dressage Saddles
Manufacturer: Albion
Model: HR
Category: Dressage Saddles
Purchase: I bought this saddle from a lady who had bought a new Albion and did not need two. I paid $400 w/girth and saddle cover.
Likes: This is the most comfortable saddle I have ever sat in. My trainer only rides in her old Crosby but she rode my horse one day and said if she needed a new saddle, she would buy an Albion. The seat is deep, the twist is narrow, and the flaps are long with only knee pads, no thigh blocks, just the way I like them. It fits my TB mare (M tree), the panels are wool stuffed and reasonably wide. The girth is a wide leather band with foam padded soft leather next to the horse.
Dislikes: The girth chafes my mare. I used it one day while her usual girth was still in the laundry and she had a raw spot the size of a silver dollar behind her elbow. Small wonder she was cross that day! I have used an old Wintec girth over 14 years on 3 horses and its still the best.
As for the saddle, the stirrup leather keepers are pretty far down the flap. I don't have especially long legs (I'm 5'4") but to keep the leathers in the keepers I use xl leathers.
Quality: I guess after 10 years the saddle has held up well. The panels need restuffing but all the stitching is intact. The leather however has turned a sort of brownish-green particularly on the seat. Does not affect performance, strictly cosmetic, still comfortable.
The girth has a leather keeper for the extra billet that has come unsewn.
Summary: When shopping for a saddle, I also considered the Crosby Prix de Nations, and County Competitor. This was the most comfortable of the three. Just disappointed about the leather discoloring issue.
Rating: 4
Author: Tauna B
Date: 2004-10-24
Usefulness Rating: 4.37037 out of 5.
27 reader(s) voted.
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