ridecamp@endurance.net: re: endurance saddles

re: endurance saddles

Diane Nelson (safehavn@fast.net)
Sat, 12 Apr 1997 09:58:28 -0400 (EDT)

I'm forwarding this to the list--may be of some interest to everyone.

Diane

>Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 14:14:17 -0700
>From: equildy <equildy@sierratel.com>
>To: safehavn@fast.net
>Subject: re: endurance saddles
>
>Hi: My name is Katee and I'm using my friend's access as I don't have
access to the net
>yet. I read your article on endurance saddles and have some new input for
you and your
>readers.
>
>I have been an endurance rider as well as a general trail rider for almost
20 years and
>recognize the problems with saddles. I have had Stubbens, Orthoflex,
Marciante,and
>others. Until 2 years ago I had gone back to a very old Stubben Tristan
Dressage Saddle
>which I was making work on a very frisky young Arab. I met a neighbor who
introduced
>himself as a saddlemaker and commented that he'd like to build a better
endurance saddle
>with my help. He turned out to be extremely knowledgeable about horses in
a Tom
>Dorrance kind of way. Over the last two years we've been solving problems
peculiar to
>our horses and way of riding...me pointing out the problems, him finding
ways to solve
>them.
>
>At last, there's the finished saddle which I took to the AERC convention in
February.
>It had a good reception, especially for its balance--very dressage-y--and
for its
>craftsmanship. It is a western type tree, but has excellent close contact
and balance
>to please the dressage rider.
>
>My saddlemaker friend has now discovered a way to custom fit each horse's
back simply
>and accurately. Unlike so many saddles which rely on foam padding to make
up for lack
>of fit, the only foam in this Allegre saddle is a quarter inch of shock
foam in the seat
>under the rider's seat bones. We use the highest density sheepskin between
the saddle
>and the horse. The saddle weighs in at about 25# without a horn and the
cost is $1250.
>We have access to water buffalo hide with which a lighter weight model can
be made.
>
>I have been riding the prototypes since last year and am very pleased. My
horse has had
>no soring (all A's on vet cards). I have no leg bruising, no pain from
rubs, and end
>the rides feeling really good!
>
>This saddle is being launched slowly due to the high cost of advertising
but I really
>wanted to tell you about it. If I can help any other riders out there I'd
really be
>pleased. Let me know if you'd like more info! My friend June has access to
my address
>and phone #.
>
>
>Thanks! Katee Owens
>
>P.S. I'm on the cover of the Feb./March Endurance news in the first
prototype Allegre
>saddle.
>
>LICS
>June ~~^**
> ~~}_ _~~ /\|
> ( )__, ) ~
> // \\
> \\ //
> ** **
>
>

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