[Andalucian]

I recently discovered I'm going to be moving in a few months, so I've begun to look in my closets and tack rooms with a sense of horror - so much to pack! Reluctantly, I'm having to part with a few saddles I'm not using much anymore. This is an opportunity to get a really good deal for someone who'd like a great brand at a better price.


Passier PS Baum Dressage Saddle - 16.5", XW Tree

As I type this, I cannot believe I'm actually selling this saddle. I absolutely adore it. It's a beautiful brown color, minimalist style with plain flaps and very small concealed knee rolls. No, it's not a squishy padded seat, and there aren't any gimmicks to hold you in place, but the balance is superb and it lets you drop comfortably into place. I used it on my very-wide and very-picky Andalusian gelding, who loves it.

Now, this saddle is old. Really old. It has short billets, which I would replace before long, though the point billets and middle billets apparently weren't used much by the previous owner and have seemed safe enough for me to trust, even on my big guy. Flocking should be redone, I imagine. Tree seems to be sound. The biggest flaw seems to be some mottling of the leather, particularly on the underside. I'm not sure what happened here; perhaps a previous owner rode without a pad. Seems harmless, but it's not pretty. The good news is that it isn't obvious when the saddle's on the horse, and the parts of the saddle visible when the saddle is right-side-up are in much better shape colorwise.

The saddle has a 16.5" seat, though because it's a more open seat, it rides a bit bigger - more like a 17", or even a 17.5" in one of today's modern really-deep-seated saddles. I usually ride in a 17.5"-18", and I found it quite comfortable, but it really is a smidge small for me. If this were a 17" seat, I'd keep it and fix it up. Once I get moved, I'll start looking for one in a 17".

I'm asking $250 for this saddle, figuring that will be low enough to enable the purchaser to replace billets, reflock, etc. I'm told the tree can even be adjusted if you need. I'm including a leather, elastic-end girth (let me know what size you need and I'll see how close I can get - I have several in good to very good used condition), matching stirrup leathers (no irons, sorry), and an elasticized cover.

Photos can be seen at the following site:
http://www.elysianfieldsranch.com/passier.html
Most of the color variation on the seat and flaps is just due to glare from the sun. The photo of the underside gives you a pretty good idea of the coloring problems there.


Barnsby Crown Dressage Saddle - 17", MW Tree

I really love this saddle. It's a beautiful havana brown with a very close-contact feel - great for kids or petite women who are more comfortable when they can get close to the horse. Padded flap, but no real blocks or rolls - just a bit of slightly thicker padding on the sweat flap where the roll would be. Features long billets with Barnsby's signature billeting system, wonderful for stabilizing the saddle.

Barnsby considers this a 17" seat, but due to extra padding along the back, it rides more like a 16.5" (or a 17" deeper-seated saddle). Short flaps. Seat is wonderfully balanced and features schrumpf leather for grip. This saddle is heaven to ride. I believe the stirrup bars are marked M, but the tree fits more like a MW. Fantastic wither clearance.

Again, I can't believe I'm selling this saddle. I really love it. I've ridden in it a few times, despite being too small for me, and it's quite comfortable and balanced. I purchased this for a lovely champagne-colored half-Andalusian pony and a youth rider to show dressage. Unfortunately, the girl discovered cheerleading and the pony has since outgrown it. My other horses are more of the XW variety, so I feel it should move on to someone else who can enjoy it, much as it breaks my heart.

Saddle shows normal wear under the stirrup leathers, but is in very good condition. Includes matching leathers (no irons) and elasticed cover. Saddle was just under $2000 new; this is a bargain at $300. Photos can be seen here:
http://www.elysianfieldsranch.com/barnsby.html

If you have any questions, please e-mail me at andalucian@aol.com, as I don't check messages here often (AOL isn't reliable on boards!). Thanks for looking!