Re: Need Feedback: Crosby Saddle

[K S Swigart <katswig@deltanet.com>]

On Sat, 9 May 1998, Beverly540 wrote:

> Hi Ridecampers!
>       I'm still looking for my perfect saddle. Currently I'm riding in
> Arabian-style western and hate the horn and the stiff fenders that won't
> "give" when I need them to. I found a used Crosby endurance saddle with
> a 17"  seat for $500.  I am a big girl, so probably need the bigger
> seat...<g> It was advertised as a "marathon" saddle.The owner has agreed
> to let me "borrow" it and see what I think.  It's English and I am not
> used to English!  But if I like it, is the asking price of $500 a good
> price??? Do any of you use Crosby saddles?? Got any advice for me? I

I have a Crosby Olympia and a Crosby Lexington, both of which have many
miles of both competition and training on them (The Olympia has dones 200
miles already this year).

$500 for a used one is a "middling" price.  Not great, but not bad.
Assuming that the saddle is in good condition and doesn't need the seat
replaced or anything like that.

All that said....it depends on when the saddle was made.

When Crosby first made saddles (and gained their reputation for being a
great saddle maker) the saddles had stuffable panels. Now (at least the
ones available here in the US), they do not have stuffable panels.

If you cannot restuff the panels, then you cannot modify it to get a
better fit on your horse AND...when the foam/felt (I am not sure which)
panels "wear out" you pretty much have to throw the saddle away. It
doesn't take very long when you are riding endurance to "wear out" the
panels on one of these saddles.

So....if it is an old one with stuffable panels (needs to be somewhere
aroun 15 years old) then it should serve you well (assuming that it fits
you and the horse).  If it is newer than that and doesn't have stuffable
panels, I would give it a miss.

kat
Orange County, Calif.