Pessoa vs. Harry Dabbs saddle

[mdthomer]

So here's the deal...I'm looking to purchase my first saddle, and I've been looking mostly at used Pessoas. I'm expecting a Pessoa Rodrigo to arrive next week and I'll give it a lil' trial then, but I also found an ad for a used Harry Dabbs True Brit CC that is a great deal, and looks to be in great condition. I don't know much about Harry Dabbs other than the fact that he's been making saddles for a loooong time.
Does anyone have experience with one or both of these models? I'd greatly appreciate it!

Also, I don't own my own horse, so I need something that will fit a variety of horses.

Thanks

[BoldRush]

Harry Dabbs. I love these saddles! Very well made, very comfortable...and fit a lot! If it was an older Pessoa, I would say go for it because they were extremely well made. A more recent model..uh, not so much. I have heard of bad things happening with newly made Pessoas and their trees.

I can think of many people who would support me with this answer. But it's all for you and your horse. Whichever fits best and works best.

But if you were to ask me to purchase one...I'd be looking more into that Harry Dabbs and less into the Pessoa.

[iheartcloudnine]

I would personally go with the Harby Dabbs unless the Pessoa is an older model.

Also, I don't own my own horse, so I need something that will fit a variety of horses.

There really is no one size fits all when it comes to saddles, I wouldn't buy a saddle if I was riding multiple horses because it normally is a challenge to find a saddle to fit just one horse, let alone multiple horses.

[Pally]

Didn't Harry Dabbs have something to do with making the old Pessoas? And therefore older Pessoas and older Harry Dabbs are strikingly similar.

True Brit saddles are Harry Dabbs' lower end line, I think maybe made for State line tack. But from everything I've heard about the quality of the new Pessoa's then maybe it's not such a far off comparison after all


Anyway, that is all me going off my memory but maybe it will spark someone else's memory too.

[monstereq]

Honestly, I hate the pessoas, they wear really quickly.

id go for a beval natural.... GREAT looking quality saddle.