Henri de Rivel
Advantage
Close Contact Saddles
Manufacturer: Henri de Rivel
Model: Advantage
Category: Close Contact Saddles
Purchase: I bought it used for $350 off a friend. It's about 4 years old.
Likes: It's a great saddle! The leather has broken in surprisingly well. It has fit every horse I've put it on reasonably well also. I have loooong legs, and the flap length/cut is just perfect for me. I also find it very well balanced for such an inexpensive saddle... I switched to it from a Stubben, and my coaches commented on how my position improved immediately. Everyone who sees it for the first time thinks it's a more expensive saddle until they look under the flap and see "HRD" printed on it.
Dislikes: It is, of course, not nearly as nice as some more expensive saddles... but I really can't say anything bad about it so far! I looked at a brand new HDR saddle the other day, though, and thought the leather felt very tough. I'm not sure if the quality has changed over the past few years, or if they just all eventually break in as well as mine has. (Also, this is a "like" for me, but the flap is quite forward/long so it might not be suited for a shorter rider.)
Quality: So far it's held together very well. One of the 'HDR' button cover thingies has popped off, and a little bit of the stitching at the bottom of the flaps is coming loose, but neither are a big deal to me. The colour hasn't faded. I transport it from home to the barn a few times a week and have had no issues. I'm the saddle's third owner, and you'd never know it!
Summary: A great saddle for the price.
Rating: 5
Author: Jen
Date: 2007-12-11
Usefulness Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
2 reader(s) voted.
Other Reviews You May Find Interesting
Henri de Rivel Pro Close Contact Close Contact Saddles
Devoucoux Biarritz Close Contact Saddles
Henri de Rivel Advantage Close Contact Saddles
Beval Natural Close Contact Saddles
Henri De Rivel Close Contact Saddle Close Contact Saddles
Tad Coffin A5 Close Contact Saddles
Beval Butet Close Contact Saddles
Wintec Caramel Close Contact w/ equi leather Close Contact Saddles
Wintec Close contact with cair and easy change gullet Close Contact Saddles
Le Councours LTD. Close Contact Close Contact Saddles
St. Lourdes Tango Close Contact Saddles
Wintec Close Contact Saddle Close Contact Saddles
BdH Close Contact 16.5" Saddle Close Contact Saddles
Crosby Prix De Nations Close Contact Saddles
Beval Stamford Close Contact Saddles
Zaldi Star 17" Close Contact Saddles
Paris Tack Lafette Close Contact Close Contact Saddles
Bruno de Heusch Close Contact Saddle 17" Reg. Close Contact Saddles
Courbette Aristokrat Close Contact Saddles
Crosby Centennial Close Contact 17 / Short / Forward Close Contact Saddles
