Saddle Work

I bought my saddle (a Cliff Barnsby (AVG) Anky van Grunsven) on Facebook a couple of years ago. Though it was initially very wide on Guinness, I didn't have the ability to do much about it. So, I padded it up and rode in it. Amazingly, Guinness started putting on muscle and weight around his withers almost immediately. Six months after I purchased the saddle, it was no longer a horrible fit for him.

Prescient saddle buying? Is that a thing? 

The saddle the first day I had it. So wide it ate saddle pads...

It's been a long time since I purchased that saddle, and I have been dying to have it looked at. I have felt like the fit is still off slightly, plus it needed new billets. Thankfully, my fellow boarding friend had Annette from Hastilow Competition Saddles out to look at her own saddle. I grabbed Annette and asked if she would mind looking at mine, too.

Annette was awesome. I didn't think the fit on my saddle was that terrible, and I told her upfront "purchasing another saddle is out of the question." She completely understood and told me she thought what we would have work fine with a little help.

The saddle at the end of August. Fit looking okay, but could be better.

After taking tracings (which I've never had done before!), she looked at the saddle. She determined it needed a little more flocking in front (which I agreed with heartily!), and was slightly horrified by condition of split billets. She also suggested we change my billets from standard configuration to a point billet set up. Again, I couldn't have agreed more. She packed up my saddle and promised to have it back in three days.

Saddle fit from the front, prior to refitting. Just a little too dipped down in front. 

As someone who once waited over a week for the Amish guy in the next town over to put three stitches in my bridle, I was floored by her timeliness. Amazingly, she even had the saddle back a day early.

I can't rave about her work enough. The saddle looks lovely. The point billets have made a huge difference in how it sits. No longer does it try to shift forward or cause the girth to pull awkwardly. The new billets are also sturdy and lovely. The reflocking is noticeable when I sit in the saddle. It's easier to sit up and keep my seat in the right place.

Looking great today!

I think I'll keep this saddle around a bit longer. Though, I'm still lusting after a fancy Custom with a super deep seat...