Henri de Rivel
Advantage
Close Contact Saddles
Manufacturer: Henri de Rivel
Model: Advantage
Category: Close Contact Saddles
Purchase: I bought this saddle at a private tack store for $840 (tax incld.) I had been looking for a NEW close contact saddle with a confortable seat and well balanced. I was tired of second hand unbalanced saddles that were poorly broke in!
Likes: I have the 16.5", Wide tree. The seat looked small but had more room then expected! It has fit every horse I have put it on better then any other saddle I have had. I suggest the wide tree if you are riding many different shaped horses as it seemed to fit them all rather well (ponies, apps, draft crosses)with only a few adjustments such as a thin riser or blanket added in some cases. I found it didn't bridge either, or tilt forward of back to any large degree.
Dislikes: One of the flaps was sewn about 1/4 inch ahead of the other flap, a minor flaw. Oil absorbed very slowly into the leather, but has retained its softness without having to re-oil since. It did not break in very quickly but yet is still comfortable to ride in. Dye seemed to be coming out of the saddle at the bottom of the flaps quite quickly (where there is a lot of friction with your lower leg), but is not visible when mounted.
Quality: High quality leather, well balanced, strong stitching, very nice quality for the price.Very comfortable to ride in and keep your position over jumps. For flat work the seat wasn't so far forward that you couldn't still do flat work in the classical 'shoulder,elbow,hip,ankle' position.
Summary: One of the most comfortable saddles I've ridden in. If you are looking for a saddle you would like to keep around for the next 15+ years I would recommend this saddle for the price and craftmanship and the wide variety of 'back-types' it fit.
Rating: 5
Author: Danielle
Date: 2005-02-01
Usefulness Rating: 4.32961 out of 5.
179 reader(s) voted.
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