This saddle has all the standard features of the Zenith range (GPD, GPJ and Jump) However, the stirrup bars are set slightly further back than on the other Zenith styles, in order to facilitate the use of a longer, leg position that is frequently used by dressage riders.
All BALANCE Dressage Saddles come with short girth straps (billets) as standard. This is because the research BALANCE has done shows that, the majority of horses are more comfortable in long girths and short girth straps (billets). However, long girth straps can be ordered if the rider prefers.
This dressage saddle has a flatter and more open seat contour than many other dressage saddles on the market. This is a deliberate design feature for riders who do not want to feel fixed or restricted by the saddle. For the same reason, the saddles have moderate sized, but adjustable/removable, knee blocks.
The standard features of this saddle are as follows:
- A range of BALANCE tree Widths: 7X, 8X and 9X. These widths relate to the needs of healthy, well developed and correctly trained horses.
- Panels flocked with long-fibre, white wool.
- Short girth straps (billets)
- Dressage (show) stirrup bars
- 4 seat lengths A, B, C, D
- Flap length on A & B seat length saddles is 17.75" (45cm) and on the C & D seat length saddles is 18.5" (47cm). This is approximate and is measured from the top of the stirrup bar to the bottom of the flap at its longest point. The saddle can be ordered with a different flap length, but it is very unusual for this to be necessary.
- Adjustable/removable knee blocks
- The leathers used are of the highest quality, with all welts, facings etc. made with leathers that are the best colour match for the saddle. Other options are available. Please see below. .
Choosing the colours in your saddle.
Many riders prefer to stay with classic colours of, all-over black or brown, but other options are available to customise your saddle if that is what you prefer. As this saddle is made for BALANCE by Frank Baines Saddlery, it makes sense for you to use their own, innovative and award winning 'Build Your Baines' app, that can be found on their website : https://www.frankbaines.com/bmb/
You won't see any BALANCE saddle models on their yet, but you can use the example of their Elegance saddle as a reference as it is very similar in its construction to the BALANCE range of saddles. This will show you the options for leathers and colours that you can choose.
Please be aware that some of the leathers, coloured welts and facings that you will see, will add to the basic price of the saddle as shown on this page.
The cantle of this style of saddle can include a cantle insert, cantle welt and crystals if wanted.
