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Post by casper on Sept 30, 2009 9:31:59 GMT
Does anyone else compete regularly in a gp saddle.
I'm quickly coming to the realisation that I may need to invest in a dressage saddle as I am finding it hard to get my leg in the correct position in my Thorowgood GP.
I had a lesson last night and did lots of work without stirrups and afterwards my RI suggested that I need to look into buying a dressage saddle as my position is much stronger and my leg more effective (and my horse goes much better) when I ride in my gp with no stirrups but because of the position of the bars as soon as I start working with stirrups again my leg shoots forward and I start to tip back.
Has anyone had similar issues with this?
Is there perhaps anything I can do with the knee rolls (they're adjustable) to sort my leg position?
What's more frustrating is that it's been more noticable recently - I've put it down to my crap riding and I don't want to blame another factor if it is simply a case of I need to improve my position!
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Post by penllys on Sept 30, 2009 10:11:34 GMT
I have the opposite C. I lean forward. Bought a dressage in May and it is fab!! Try and see if you can get bigger knee rolls - mine are huge. Poor ou doinall that work without stirrups!! I am bad enough with never mind without.
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Post by casper on Sept 30, 2009 10:17:03 GMT
I have the opposite C. I lean forward. Bought a dressage in May and it is fab!! Try and see if you can get bigger knee rolls - mine are huge. Poor ou doinall that work without stirrups!! I am bad enough with never mind without. Thanks - I actually prefer work without stirrups - i find it pretty easy except when he makes the transition from canter to trot and give you his big posh trot - very painful! I have a 2nd hand Griffin dressage that I got from ebay but saddler fitter doesn't think it will be any use - going to try it on him tomorrow and if it's not a good fit it will be back up on ebay and I'll buy a new one - I can get new a Thorowgood T4 dressage for £330 which is pretty good! In the meantime - where can I get bigger knee rolls? My saddle has the velco to allow me to move mine about but they're not very big. |
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Post by oldmoss on Sept 30, 2009 10:50:37 GMT
I have to say (a lot of folk may not agree) but I do think dressage saddles can help you achieve that 'classical' dressage position. When I first got Toby I rode in a variety of saddles, Wintec, Saddle Co, Barefoot (treeless etc) and have to say my position was not as it is today and I firmly believe changing to dressage saddles did help. That's not to say that I haven't worked darn hard  But looking back at pictures I think I look a totally different rider (still lots to work on, in fact in my dressage lesson yesterday she had me leaning forward, as I tend to sit just behind the vertical at times  ) I ride at least 4" longer now as well, in fact probably more and only being 5'4" I ride with the same length of stirrups as much taller people as well. I dropped my stirrup length another hole about 8 weeks ago to try and help me relax and stretch my thigh and now find that length really comfortable. The new dressage saddles are really great as they are positioned with the stirrup bar much further back so you are not having to physically keep pushing your leg back like in a GP. Having said that I don't think it's a quick fix and you still have to work on your position but it certainly helps  However a lot of more traditional folk don't like them especially with the big knee/thigh blockes you get (for example my Wow has the extra thigh blocks) as some feel you are locked into position - best to just try a few and see how you feel  |
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Post by penllys on Sept 30, 2009 11:20:52 GMT
OM is def the expert in saddles!! How many have you had K?
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Post by casper on Sept 30, 2009 11:54:20 GMT
I've had 7 saddles since I got C 2 years ago !
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Post by penllys on Sept 30, 2009 13:18:37 GMT
I've had 7 saddles since I got C 2 years ago ! ;D ;D Poor Kenco!! He has been deprived. His first one lasted him 10 years and this is his second. OM is much the same as you I think C  I have always got him made to measure. |
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Post by oldmoss on Sept 30, 2009 14:48:26 GMT
I've had 7 saddles since I got C 2 years ago ! ;D ;D Poor Kenco!! He has been deprived. His first one lasted him 10 years and this is his second. OM is much the same as you I think C I have always got him made to measure. The thing is I've already had 2 'made to measure' saddles  One was totally useless and the other is this Wow which should fit him like a glove but doesn't  I've only owned 4 saddles with Toby, but have tried and tested over 20 and it looks like this number is soon to be increased  So frustrating as to look at him you'd think he'd be a saddlers dream - not a flat backed cob, has withers but not too prominent he just looks like he'd fit anything Is it legal to compete bareback  (although may need a lorry load of that sticky spray and that sticky mat that Lisal posted ) At this rate I'm going to miss out on most of the winter dressage leagues |
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But looking back at pictures I think I look a totally different rider (still lots to work on, in fact in my dressage lesson yesterday she had me leaning forward, as I tend to sit just behind the vertical at times 
)
I have always got him made to measure.
One was totally useless and the other is this Wow which should fit him like a glove but doesn't 
(although may need a lorry load of that sticky spray and that sticky mat that Lisal posted