Ascot International
Commander Dressage 10" Gullet
Dressage Saddles

Manufacturer: Ascot International
Model: Commander Dressage 10" Gullet
Category: Dressage Saddles

Purchase: I bought this saddle on e-bay from Frontier Equestrian for $260.00 about a month ago (April 2007). I have a very wide, low withered Spanish horse and nothing else was fitting him, not even two treeless saddles I tried! I had been riding him bareback for about six months and was chomping at the bit to get to the shows.

Likes: The 10" gullet is wide enough for my horse's wide, massive shoulders and the saddle sits behind the front 'powerhouse' just where he wants it.

Dislikes: The stirrup bars sit too far forward and are the old-fashioned hinged kind rather than the newer recessed type. The space between the panels, though wide up front, gets VERY narrow under the cantle. Also, it has a VERY WIDE twist. I am short and my thighs are a little chunky, which is not a comfortable combination with this saddle, especially with the stirrup bars like they are. The buckles of the leathers press against my inner thigh! I am getting and would strongly recommend some Wintec webbers with this saddle. The pommel is quite low and the seat is shallow. There is no support for your crotch to enable you to keep your pelvis tipped up to soften your back. The seat is quite hard as well. I bought a Cashel seat saver and that helped with that a bit, although it made the seat that much more shallow. Also, the saddle slips from side to side very easily. I bought a Cashel closed cell foam pad in hopes of alleviating some of the pressure off my horse's spine under the cantle, and that helped with the side to side slippage.

Quality: The leather quality is poor, but considering the price I sort of expected that. I have oiled heavily more than once and it still feels dry! Besides that, the stitching was good and the saddle is evenly constructed.

Summary: I am thankful that I have a saddle, having gone for so long without one. However, as soon as it is in my budget to get a better saddle, I will be very happy to get it!

Rating: 2

Author: Deanna Coleman

Date: 2007-05-13

Usefulness Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
4 reader(s) voted.

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