Collegiate model name / number thread

[Tack Collector]

Here's my partial listing of discontinued Collegiate dressage saddle model names and the model numbers that correspond to them. You might want to squirrel this away. Feel free to add, all you savers of obsolete Miller's Saddlery catalogs.

The "RD" stamped on the Collegiate saddles and/or painted on the metal tag refers to the manufacturer, Ruiz Diaz. That company makes Collegiate saddles, Klimke, Pessoa, and Whitman's Avante line as well. Possibly some lesser known Argentine brands, too.

ART or R with the number is regular medium tree width. I'm guessing that "W" is wide. Anyone know? Anyone? Anyone??

"Classic" (copy of Crosby Freestyle? or Prix St. George?) 6528

Baron (copy Kieffer Wein) 6507

Jessica (copy Passier Nicole? I forget) 6542 (there were a couple iterations of the Jessica )

Klimke 6502

Mentor 6504

Sr. Event AP 6529

Lisbon (close contact model) number? – I don’t have it

From Miller's 1996 catalog: Model 6548 is the Collegiate "Champion" Dressage saddle. "Miller's celebrates the Medal-winning legacy of US Olympians with our 1996 Commemorative Collection of new show jumping, dressage, and event saddles. Each specially created limited-edition model proudly displays the USET logo and is distinctively embossed with the USA/5-ring logo individually numbered and personally registered for lasting value...." Here is the saddle description: "Exceptional feel and security. With deep seat, narrow, contoured, close contact flaps, long billets, traditional stuffed panels".

[Tack Collector]

NS (copy of Neidersuss Symphony) 6549

other obsolete / disconotinued saddles, for reference:
http://64.33.126.67/discontinuedsadd...rence-ss2.html

[horsiehuntersam]

I have an RD Collegiate C/C stamped #6554. It has USA Olympic emblems & is stamped with the USET symbol w/ Miller's on the bottom. Any clue what model this could be? I could send a picture for reference if that would help.

[Tack Collector]

The Olympic emblem was 1996 for the Olympics. My catalogs don't go back past '99. My guess would be some option of Graduate, or else Connoisseur.

[vxf111]

ART or R with the number is regular medium tree width. I'm guessing that "W" is wide. Anyone know? Anyone? Anyone??

I am pretty sure "AR" stands for "Argentina" (country of manufacture) and that R is for "regular tree." I have seen one, ONE saddle that was ARW and it seemed like a wide tree, though I don't have any way of knowing for sure. Newer Collegiates (not made in Argentina) don't seem to have this same numbering system. So, yes, I think you're correct.

[vxf111]

I have an RD Collegiate C/C stamped #6554. It has USA Olympic emblems & is stamped with the USET symbol w/ Miller's on the bottom. Any clue what model this could be? I could send a picture for reference if that would help.

Wasn't there an "Ian Miller" model with the olympic symbol? Post a photo. I remember this model and it kind of had a distinctive look.

[horsiehuntersam]

Wasn't there an "Ian Miller" model with the olympic symbol? Post a photo. I remember this model and it kind of had a distinctive look.

Here's my USET Collegiate saddle. I really like this saddle (seems to be better quality than some newer Collegiates) and I've been dying to know what it is ever since I have bought it. It would be really great if you guys could figure it out! Once again it is stamped #6554.

[Tack Collector]

kb1gra had some Collegiate catalogs older than what I have.

[vxf111]

Here's my USET Collegiate saddle. I really like this saddle (seems to be better quality than some newer Collegiates) and I've been dying to know what it is ever since I have bought it. It would be really great if you guys could figure it out! Once again it is stamped #6554.

I don't know what model it is, but it is not the Ian Miller. Sorry!

[Tack Collector]

I vote for some variant of the Connoisseur. Has a deeper seat, and a knee pad shaped like yours. That pic is out of the 1999 catalog, the oldest that I have. Lots of late '80s ccs were a chocolate brown, and a white or tan bead in the seat seam was popular for some bling. Then the lighter colors came in by the late '90s and early 2000s. That QH Hnter plain flap was in there quire a few years. It was sold as the "Lynn Palm" for a while. The favorite late '80s color was that very dark brown. So I think maybe 65545 is 6554 and the extra 5 is an option like the color or the perforated "airflow" pads.