[imjustjoking22]

Originally Posted by jumpthemoon

Sometimes you find them on e-Bay for little $$$ ($900- 1,400 in like new condition) and sometimes even then no one buys them. The most recent completed listings search on e-Bay of fifteen Schleese saddles shows only three of the fifteen were sold.


What does that tell you?

Well that is a little hard to judge by because in general the more expensive saddles sell less quickly on ebay period- the models of the saddles I'm looking at have generally at least had bids, but have not reached the reserve price.

I think I might pass on this deal unless I can get the seller down into the 2k neighborhood- that seems like a good deal even on ebay.

[Shannon]

Originally Posted by jumpthemoon

That is a good saddle.

My friend, who actually got me hooked on HGS, absolutely LOVES her Niedersuss I've seen Schleese around, though I don't actually know anyone who owns one LOL. I know Kim would now swear by her Niedersuss.

[imjustjoking22]

Originally Posted by Shannon

My friend, who actually got me hooked on HGS, absolutely LOVES her Niedersuss I've seen Schleese around, though I don't actually know anyone who owns one LOL. I know Kim would now swear by her Niedersuss.

Yea like I said I have been riding in one and love it but my horse seems very uncomfortable in his canter (even though it fits well) when it is on him. If I can figure out another reason I may go with the niedersuss (if the seller ever gets back to me!), but otherwise it seems like I might need to try a different saddle .

[buck1173]

I would give my back teeth for a niedersuss symphonie, I nearly bought 2 on ebay in the last few months that went for a song.... but, the horse is always right... and I'm discovering on mine, the saddles I think are good fits, he doesn't like, and the saddles I think are iffy, he likes.

I'm attributing it to: a) I really don't know what the heck I'm doing in terms of saddle fit, and b) a saddle appearing to fit good when the horse is standing on concrete all nice and square is one thing, but in motion is another... there is something about some saddles that while being ridden are more comfortable than others, and I haven't yet put my finger on it.

Its a good thing you can ride and try the saddles... I bought all mine blind as I was going for bargains...

I recently got a prestige top and I detest it, what a sad surprise. Pony likes it ok, not great, not terrible, but I hate it.

I'll tell you, a dark horse that works lovely for me is a crosby freestyle..... my horse adores that saddle, and so does my butt.

Re buying the schleeses, yes, I personally would only go for an insanely good deal so I would have at least a shot of getting my money back in a bum market.

There was a lovely schleese jane savoie for sale recently that went for around $800, I was frothing at the mouth as it was a good deal, but no one else wanted it either. So I figured, if I got it, and hated it, I might not even be able to get what I paid for it back.... (it did sell for $800 in the end). $800 was too much to spend on a potential mistake.

good luck.

[jumpthemoon]

Originally Posted by imjustjoking22

Yea like I said I have been riding in one and love it but my horse seems very uncomfortable in his canter (even though it fits well) when it is on him. If I can figure out another reason I may go with the niedersuss (if the seller ever gets back to me!), but otherwise it seems like I might need to try a different saddle .

Have you tried a Kieffer or several Kieffer's? I have a really good friend in Arroyo Grande that may have or know of some nice dressage saddles for sale. She puts together the newsletter for the local chapter of the CDS Dressage club there. PM me if you would like her contact information.

[imjustjoking22]

Originally Posted by jumpthemoon

Have you tried a Kieffer or several Kieffer's? I have a really good friend in Arroyo Grande that may have or know of some nice dressage saddles for sale. She puts together the newsletter for the local chapter of the CDS Dressage club there. PM me if you would like her contact information.

I have tried Kieffers and didn't love or hate them- but I will PM you if I need another option (I will probably know in the next couple of days).

**Question for others- would maybe $2800 be a great deal? New information I have gotten is that the rider and the horse are both very close to me and my horse in size, and the saddles have each been ridden in only about 10 times (I can barely even see a scuff mark from the stirrup leathers).

The seller would be eating over $4000 on this deal, so it seems like a pretty good one to me at the moment- most of the used saddles for sale in my area are about $1500 each and they don't have the quality or adjustability of the schleese.

I did contact Schleese and their used saddles start at $2500 each, so I am thinking worse comes to worse I could consign one or both and probably at least make back the $1500...

[No1Dazy]

One of my students just bought a Schleese and she LOVES it. The saddle fitter that came to our area was really good.

I like the idea of this constantly adjustable tree...

[imjustjoking22]

Originally Posted by No1Dazy

One of my students just bought a Schleese and she LOVES it. The saddle fitter that came to our area was really good.

I like the idea of this constantly adjustable tree...

I like that too, since my boy is 4 and still growing, and *hopefully* won't be done muscling up for a while now.

Do you know what model it was that she bought?

[No1Dazy]

It was a dressage saddle... I'll ask her.

[No1Dazy]

She says she thinks it's a Jes Elite. The description of the saddle says "built for a woman."

I've sat in it myself, and it's very comfortable. (We are both about 5'4", 5'5") And her REALLY hard to fit horse likes it too.