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Tuesday was a nice girls day ride with Liz. I truly needed and enjoyed it. After some unexpectedly amazing news, I met her and our farrier at the barn. She was extremely kind and caught Jean-Luc ahead of time so that we could go on a brief trail ride together after the shoeing. Liz and my BM informed me that Jean-Luc was an easy catch and stood like a proper gentleman. Our farrier had not trouble shoeing, which is normal, and things went off without a hitch. After getting new shoes, Liz and I saddled up, just barely missing a rain storm, and headed out. Her lovable husky, Keni, came with us, and we both relaxed making the idle girly chat. Jean-Luc acted a little hot, but I didn't think much of it. He tried to nip once or twice at Keni and quickly corrected him to let him know that biting pups was not acceptable behavior. As we were coming up out of a small wooded area and into a little grassy meadow, though, Jean-Luc uncharacteristically heaved both back legs in the air, bucking one strong buck and then just standing there. I was in shock, and extra surprised I didn't come off. Anyone that has ever ridden with me, especially growing up, knows I used to live in the dirt. But not this time. This time I was able to sit that buck, I believe in large part thanks to my King Series Classic Distance Rider Saddle. I have owned this saddle for just around two months and there are plenty of reasons to love it, and a few that might make someone else consider purchasing something different. WHY DID I BUY THIS SADDLE: I wanted something comfortable. I was looking for something I could sit in for hours and not have my knees, butt, or back screaming in pain. I wanted an easy 8 hours in the saddle before I had to even think about getting off. HOW OFTEN DO I RIDE IT: 3 - 4 times per week WHAT FEATURES MET MY NEEDS: The fact that this saddle did not have wide fenders that would hurt your knees and ankles when torqued to the side was important. I also liked that the saddle did not have a horn I could get skewed on. I also liked that the saddle is light - 22 lbs total. UNEXPECTED DELIGHTS: This saddle is not made of the best quality leather, but it holds its own for sure. I really like that there are so many places to hook things. WHAT DID I CHANGE: The saddle came with some stirrups that were super heavy. I traded them out for some ratty aluminum ones that I plan on fixing up soon. I also added some para chord strings to the back and extra carabiners for latching things on. First and foremost though, I will let anyone that plans on ordering this saddle that they will likely need to punch new holes for the stirrup length (Unless they have the legs of someone like Micheal Jordan?) The stock length of the stirrups was comically long. WHAT COULD BE BETTER: I knew what I was getting into when I purchased this whole set up for around $350. Don't use it. Be sure to purchase a proper girth at the same time you purchase the saddle. I honestly can't think of anything I would use the girth that came with this saddle for. It's beyond questionable. Make no mistake, for the price point this is a good saddle, but I wonder how long the leather will hold up. It already looks like there are years of use and few spots absolutely have some extra love already. That said, the first time I used this thing was on a 3 day trail ride where I spent no less than 8 hours each day in it. I rode it through rain, sun, and wind. The thing was pretty abused but rides like the day I got it. I have also had some trouble finding the ride pad for this saddle. It is a little too big to use just an English Pad, and while Western pads work fine I am a minimalist. The pad pictured is also an endurance pad that is ever so slightly too small because of the saddle's skirt. CONSUMER SATISFACTION RATING: 7/10 All in all, I give this saddle a 7/10 rating. I can't tell you how many people ask me if it's a Tucker. While it clearly is not, I even fooled myself once when looking at someone's real Tucker and thought they had the same saddle I have - go figure. The saddle saved me from being dumped but isn't as secure as an Australian or Western. It is easy to put on and off, and great if you need something to sit in for hours. I liked the Classic Distance Rider because its design reflects the historic McClellan saddle of the 1800s. If you don't already know, George B. McClellan, a career Army officer in the U.S. Army, was in charge of designing a saddle by studying the latest developments in engineer and cavalry forces including field equipment. (or so Wikipedia Says) Based on his observations, McClellan proposed a design that was adopted by the Army in 1859. The McClellan saddle was a success and continued in use in various forms until the US Army's last horse cavalry and horse artillery were dismounted in World War II. Today, the McClellan saddle is used by ceremonial mounted units in the US Army. The saddle was used by several other nations, including Rhodesia and Mexico, and to a degree by the British in the Boer War. The saddle came in various seat sizes that predominantly ranged from approximately 11 to 12 ½ inches. (It looks like many of the Pandora Saddles used by today's endurance racers).
I am pleased that I have something one might consider "classic" and look forward to adjusting this bad boy so that she fits my needs. Like my believe in cars, I believe every saddle needs a good name, what shall I call her?
4 Comments
Liz
8/28/2017 07:16:18 am
Dorothy?
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8/28/2017 11:48:50 am
Not Bad! She's pretty good about taking me to far away magical places. :)
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lytha
8/29/2017 08:36:08 am
Thanks for the close-up photos. The first thing I noticed that looked uncomfortable was the stirrup bar area - your leather skirt is protecting you, but it still looks like it would hurt. But you rode 8 hours with no problem: ) I thought it was a Tucker too at first. So glad you like it.
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Lytha,
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AuthorMy name is Chelsey. HorseGenerator's Cuevo Gold, or as he's known around this barn, "Jean-Luc Ponycard", was foaled in 2004 from Generator's Hurricane & Cheyenne's Little Bit. Top 10 Blog Favs.Archives
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