Usually when people move up to compete at the preliminary level, it's time to get a second saddle. Maybe not an Albion, but at the bare minimum, it's standard to have a dressage saddle by then.
On the contrary, when I started going prelim last summer, I sold my one and only saddle. (It got in the way of my position, anyway, and my trainer refused to let me ride in it!) But noo, it's not what you're thinking. I didn't ride bareback at the shows. Although, come to think of it, that probably would have made a significant contribution toward turning eventing into a real spectator sport.
Luckily, with the support and generosity of my friends, I was able to share some really nice saddles throughout the year. I'm constantly thankful for all of their help - I wouldn't have made it otherwise!
But today... I rode in a saddle that I own myself. After much patience and searching, my parents finally helped me stretch the budget to get an awesome saddle. After weeks on order, then getting shipped to the address next door, and finally being discovered by my neighbor, I found myself girthing it on to a very feisty Indy. The epic first ride...
As soon as my breeches hit the saddle, Indy was off and running. Spooking here, skittering there, he was determined to give the saddle a good breaking-in on its first outing. I was happy, though, and feeling in adequate control of the situation, basking in the glory of this new little piece of leather, when we trotted around a corner to find three Christmas trees piled in the path. Faster than the blink of an eye, my courageous steed ducked a shoulder and spun 180 degrees, then bolted. Everything was still fine until he started the bronco act; at that point, my ride was in jeopardy. You know the feeling - time speeds up and if you flash forward you know that you're about to get a face-full of mud.
No, I thought, this will not happen in this saddle's very first outing. It will not suffer the indignity of being strapped haphazardly to a wild horse seen galloping and bucking crazily back to the barn. And so, with a desperate determination, I clung on with tooth and claw, pleasantly surprised to find a pair of knee blocks right there to support me. (The joys of nice saddles!) Anyway, I swung back into control and decided to let Indy stretch his legs a bit before returning to the inevitable confrontation with the Christmas trees. Branches whipping past my face, I couldn't help smiling as we flew into the wind, close call forgotten. Next time I'll just remember to use my customary neck strap - who needs dignity?!
On the contrary, when I started going prelim last summer, I sold my one and only saddle. (It got in the way of my position, anyway, and my trainer refused to let me ride in it!) But noo, it's not what you're thinking. I didn't ride bareback at the shows. Although, come to think of it, that probably would have made a significant contribution toward turning eventing into a real spectator sport.
Luckily, with the support and generosity of my friends, I was able to share some really nice saddles throughout the year. I'm constantly thankful for all of their help - I wouldn't have made it otherwise!
But today... I rode in a saddle that I own myself. After much patience and searching, my parents finally helped me stretch the budget to get an awesome saddle. After weeks on order, then getting shipped to the address next door, and finally being discovered by my neighbor, I found myself girthing it on to a very feisty Indy. The epic first ride...
As soon as my breeches hit the saddle, Indy was off and running. Spooking here, skittering there, he was determined to give the saddle a good breaking-in on its first outing. I was happy, though, and feeling in adequate control of the situation, basking in the glory of this new little piece of leather, when we trotted around a corner to find three Christmas trees piled in the path. Faster than the blink of an eye, my courageous steed ducked a shoulder and spun 180 degrees, then bolted. Everything was still fine until he started the bronco act; at that point, my ride was in jeopardy. You know the feeling - time speeds up and if you flash forward you know that you're about to get a face-full of mud.
No, I thought, this will not happen in this saddle's very first outing. It will not suffer the indignity of being strapped haphazardly to a wild horse seen galloping and bucking crazily back to the barn. And so, with a desperate determination, I clung on with tooth and claw, pleasantly surprised to find a pair of knee blocks right there to support me. (The joys of nice saddles!) Anyway, I swung back into control and decided to let Indy stretch his legs a bit before returning to the inevitable confrontation with the Christmas trees. Branches whipping past my face, I couldn't help smiling as we flew into the wind, close call forgotten. Next time I'll just remember to use my customary neck strap - who needs dignity?!
Gotta love a neck strap!
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