Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Just to clarify for readers, the calf blocks and knee rolls of the  
VSDs are completely repositionable by the rider.  I keep my knee  
rolls in the default or most forward position, calf blocks in a  
little though, because I ride the Rubberband.  Plenty of freedom of  
movement for me (VSD Summit.)  My first RP was the endurance,  
deciding I didn't need the security, next was the XF on Ember.   
Bought the VSD Summit for the Rubberband to learn to ride with a  
dressage leg position.  Challenging on a greenie gumby with more  
moves than ExLax.  Sold the XF when Em was pregnant.  Had an  
opportunity to ride in it again a year+ later, and was surprised to  
find that I now prefer the VSD's stirrup bar placement to the XF's  
slightly shorter & forward bar.  I only miss it for jumping, it's  
harder to jump in the VSD, but we're not going over anything huge;  
the Rubberband likes to jump and I just stay out of his way.

It is so individual...for people who hate the crotch banging they get  
from the rapid rise to the pommel in conventional saddles, they might  
like the Bakers--but that only works if the horse's back is  
flattish.   Any of the models can be customized for a flatter "waist"  
though, cushier seats, etc.   People with thicker thighs might not  
like the endurance because there ought to be room between the fixed  
thigh blocks and their legs.  Generically they do accomodate people  
with long femurs.  People who rode in Western models often like the  
XF, though many opt for the endurance for the security as they get  
used to free-swinging stirrup leathers.

Lynne

On Nov 15, 2005, at 6:51 PM, Laney Humphrey wrote:

> I, on the other hand, didn't like feeling locked into the channel  
> when I tried the VSD models.  I ride a lot on steep hills and felt  
> I needed to be able to move my leg forwards and back more freely.   
> Haven't tried an endurance because I hate knee rolls.  The point  
> here is that a saddle ought to fit your body so comfortably you  
> don't even think about it - just like the bottom of the saddle  
> should fit your horse equally comfortably!
> Laney
>
> Mollie Krumlaw-Smith wrote:
>
> > I have both the RP Endurance and the VSD Summit.  *I* prefer the  
> > Summit.  I really like the leg channel created by the knee and  
> > calf block on the Summit.  I'm riding young horses these days and  
> > if they get goofy I can lock my legs into the channel and I feel  
> > pretty secure.
> >  The Endurance is nice as well, but I found when I was doing a lot  
> > of hill work, and admittedly getting tired, I was sliding forward  
> > into the thigh blocks and it "bugged" me.  My husband on the other  
> > hand loves his endurance and refuses to consider other models.
> >  I've had friends ride in both and each has their own preference.
> >  Good luck!
> >  Mollie Krumlaw-Smith
> > ^..^~~~~

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