I thought I had read somewhere that the SRS uses only Spirig saddles at the School, but I've also read that the Spirig are the white saddles and that the "every day" saddles are either made or custom made by Albion.
Does the SRS use Albion saddles? Are they custom made or "off the rack"? If you don't use Albion or Spirig every day, which brand do you use?
Thanks!
Eileen
Hi Eileen,
AntwortenLöschenYes, the do use only Spirig saddles at the School. They did switch to Albion a few years ago (I have forgotten the exact year) when Albion started making and marketing the Spanish Riding School collection. But, they switched back to Spirig about a year later.
I am not sure whether the saddles are standard models or something specifically designed for the School. However, all Spirig saddles are "custom" in the sense that they are made to measure and fitted to the horse. One reason that the Spirig saddles work so well for them is that Herr Spirig himself visits VIenna every few months to adjust saddles on any horse the needs a refit. A horse's back will change shape as they progress in their training and develop more/different muscles in the back.
Using a saddle that doesn't fit can cause soreness and/or behavior problems such as bolting. If you want more info on saddle fitting, check the Schleese saddlery web site at http://www.schleese.com . They have a page which describes saddle fitting sessions. They also have video describing things that you can check to see if your saddle fits properly.
John
John,
AntwortenLöschenThank you. Some day I hope to be able to afford a Spirig :)
Eileen
PS
Love Schleese's videos on saddles and fitting. I especially like that they have come out with saddles for just the ladies!
As an aside, I contacted the US Spirig 3 years ago about buying one of their saddles for my Lipizzan mare. I was totally amazed at their customer service. The price included a personal fitting from Mr. Spirig, who was scheduled to be in the US in March of that year. Unfortunately, the $ 6,500 USD for the saddle and fitting were out of my price range. Some day I'll be able to afford one :D
AntwortenLöschenI have a Schleese Triumph and can only give positive feedback on it. I very much like the fact it can be refitted over and over again, also to another horse if needed. Very important if you have a young horse (as I do) or if you ever change the horse.
AntwortenLöschenOn Spirig I've also heard only positive feedback from people who know/use it. When I visited Spirig Shop in St.Gallen/Switzerland I was however a bit disappointed about the service. Mr. Spirig was not there and I could not get satisfying info from the girl who was in the shop at the time. Hopefully I'll have more luck next time, as I am interested in their school saddle very much.
In the US all custom made saddles seem to cost more (almost double?) than in Europe. Schleese sells way more expensive in the US than in Europe... Different market situation, I guess.
Very much so. Saddles are horribly expensive over here. I'm riding in an Ansur treeless, which I had made for me, and I like it very much. Fits both my Lipizzan and my haflinger.
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