Need help in the saddle hunt...

[Sue Brown <sbrown@wamedes.com>]

I've recently been doing quite a bit of riding up in the hills near me and
it has become more apparent that Blaze (11yo Arab/MFT gelding) was starting
to get uncomfortable with the Aussie saddle I've been riding in.  I was so
favorably impressed with how well Blaze did last weekend in a friends
saddle that I decided to get one like it for him.  (The Aussie saddle I've
been using on him is getting too tight with the increasing muscle on his
back.)  The saddle we were using on Saturday is a Wintec Endurance Western
style -- it fit him very well, gave him nice freedom of movement, and sat
me in a comfortable balanced seat position.  Now the hitch...

The western style Wintecs are not made in Australia but contracted out to
Circle Y and made in Texas.  They quit making this particular model the
first of this year and don't even have the trees anymore to make one up
special order.  (We called the Circle Y main office today.) The only
endurance model now available is the one that looks like my Pro dressage
saddle with extra D rings.  For Blaze, who still dances around some when he
gets excited, I want the extra security of the deep seat and the hornless
pommel.  I don't want another Aussie saddle (altho I've been happy with the
one I have)...I want something a little bit easier on my thighs. ;-)

I desperately need a saddle very soon and would greatly appreciate any and
all help you all can give me.  TIA

Sue

There is a good chance that some of the larger western tack shops in the US
would still have this saddle.  If anyone stops by a tack shop, or, if you
really want to help me out <g>, call your local tack shops and see if they
have one (wide tree, please), I would be forever appreciative.  Thank you,
thank you. ;-)

I'm also open to suggestions as to a saddle that would be comparable in
style (to fit the wide Araby body), security, and price range.  Blaze will
be ridden by students a lot in the future so I'm looking for a saddle
that's pretty durable and low maintenance. ;-)  The dressage Pro fits him
well for arena work, but the 2000 does not...he works best in a V billet or
western style girth.  *I* like a saddle that sits me close to the horses
back (not a real thick saddle) and deep with a very balanced seat
(classical.) 
sbrown@wamedes.com
Tyee Farm
Marysville, Wa.