[PaintYourWorld]

Oh and kind of an off topic thing don't buy one if you have legs like me, my knees come a good 5 inches past the flap, but thats just me, when I was wetern saddle shopping even shome of the western stirrup leathers did not adjust long enough for my legs.

[rose1081]

i love my new wintec GP. I guess its fine for shows and the changable gullet ones are fab! (if you know how to change them or have a friendly saddler!) most people over here seem to have black for showing, though i dont' know if UK traditions help you much!

so far its very hardwearing which would be great for transporting! its easy to clean too which is a bonus!

[HoofPrints11]

Ugh. Hate them. They're so uncomfterable, and look horrible, especially the cloth kind. But, if you must.. you must. If at all possible I really suggest you get one of the real interchangable gullet saddles (by real i mean real leather) Pessoa and Bates both have quite a nice one, much more comfterable and show quality tack.

[willeys bonanza]

My first saddle was a Wintec ap, i used it for my first year of showing at 4h shows until i got a new one. now i use it as my dressage saddle for show. At 4h shows i have not problem with them

[royalrox]

I havew the Bates saddle, and I love it... but at least for small shows I think the Wintec would be fine, I honestly can't tell the difference from far away lol

[horseyfrk145]

I know some people are "saddle snobs" but for me, after 3 hours of putting some very expensive saddle with no success of any fitting - I finally said what the heck and tried a Wintec, and alas, it fits! So, if anyone has a problem with me showing open shows on my young conformation-changing horse, they can just listen to that story and they're welcome to put anything on my boy that will fit!

[DizzyChick]

I have nothing against them. I used to use my wintec at the ag shows and never got marked down. Just go with what feels comfortable.

[shyxpony]

Originally Posted by HoofPrints11

Ugh. Hate them. They're so uncomfterable, and look horrible, especially the cloth kind.

Really?! I think they're super comfortable, more comfortable than leather. Leather's so slippery, I find that I can sit in my saddle better in a wintec... and they're super easy to clean, too.

[JKetsche]

I love my Wintec dressage saddle. I tried one (same size, model, etc) on my horse before I bought it, so I knew I would.n I also love the ease of care more than I'd anticipated!

That said, I hated the only other Wintec I'd ever ridden in. It felt like I was sitting on a foam block 6 inches above the horse's back. My seat aids felt useless. This was a "close contact" that felt like an AP--no, worse! I also didn't like the "stick" factor for a jumping saddle.

I see people show at least the dressage phase of eventing in Wintecs all the time. I have no problem with it (obviously, I do it myself!) as long as it's properly cleaned. You can't get that shine, but you can get it clean.

[AMD]

One of our clients have them and she is leading two different district divisions in her division of HUS and Equitation. Hasn't hurt her placings at all. If a judge is looking at that - they are looking at the wrong thing - especially at an open/4-H level show.