I bought a lovely dressage saddle which I got for very cheap, and it has a very unique design. I has the long billets, and longer leg flaps, but it still has nice sized knee rolls and a close contact type seat. I ride in it like you would in a hunt seat saddle, and I am starting jumping lessons, right now I jump no more than two feet - but my question is, what are the advantages of having a true jumping saddle, and am I at a disadvantage because I don't have one?
Oh - and just wanted to add, my position is not affected by this saddle, and I ride with my irons up as high as any other jumper - so I'm really just wondering if the saddle itself affects my horse, and I can't afford to buy a new saddle at the moment, but am planning on switching eventually. 
Thanks for any help
I was just thinking - and from what you describe about position, my saddle doesn't sound like a dressage saddle. It doesn't look like the dressage saddles I'm seeing in pictures either - I'm going to do some research and see what the model is etc. - and the reason I bought it was because my stable was having a tack sale, and the saddle, bridle, girth, and leathers were all only 100 dollars (new, but un-labeled, and the owner thought it was a dressage saddle). So, thanks for the help, and I'll see if I can figure it out
 Kieffer Wien DL dressage saddle GORGEOUS well made quality saddle US $495.00 |
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve jumped in a dressage saddle and I just found it awkward since it’s a straight cut and dressage and AP saddles have a forward cut flap. You can get out of the saddle easier and there’s more infront of you to catch you so you don’t face plant.
I wouln’t jump more than 60cm in one and I’d only do it while saving for a jumping or AP saddle.
In a dressage saddle, your stirrups will be longer and you won’t be able to fully do a proper two point. Even if you don’t have the money to buy a proper jumping saddle, a close contact or all purpose saddle would benefit you very much.
Jumping saddles are made for jumping. They help you and your horse perform better.
Dressage saddles are not made for jumping, so it’s a little harder for you and your horse to do well. It should be fine for you to jump small jumps in a dressage saddle at home, but if you want to start jumping higher or go to shows you need to get a jumping saddle.
Okay, you CANNOT jump in a dressage saddle! Doesnt your instructor even know that, she wouldnt be teaching you in one if she did! I watched some kid do a fac plant after jumping 1ft in a dressage saddle, if they were in a jumper saddle they wouldnt have fallen off.
If you were going to do jumping why did you buy a dressage saddle? Go sell it and buy a proper jumper saddle.
just ride bareback if that’s the only saddle you plan to attempt to jump with. I’ve experimented before, jumped in my dressage saddle. It’s a miserable experience. You can get out of the saddle (with effort). Your leg will be in the wrong position for a forward seat. If you really want to jump, sell your dressage saddle and buy an all purpose or jump saddle. You can do flatwork in a "jump" saddle. Or, just borrow someone’s jump saddle (if it fits your horse).
The flaps on a dressage saddle aren’t forward enough for you to have your stirrups short enough to get in proper 2 point.
You could always borrow an all purpose or close contact saddle from your instructor during the lessons. I’m sure she’ll offer it anyway once she knows that’s the only saddle you have.
I have no problems popping over a couple of small jumps in my dressage saddle for the fun of it but when I am actually jumping I use a saddle made for that. If that’s all you have then that’s all you have, not much you can do about it now.
You will not get the same position for jumping with your dressage saddle, it is cut longer and straighter to give you a good dressage position, sitting deep with long legs. A good dressage saddle will have a nice deep seat to get you really centered.
A jumping saddle is cut forward with shorter flaps to get your legs where they need to be for jumping, which in turn will help you get up of the horses back and move with him better. Just remember if you learn in your dressage saddle you might need to correct some habits you get into when you move on to a jumping saddle as you will have been compensating in some way for the saddle you were using.
If you plan on taking your jumping seriously and moving up the ranks, I would invest in a jumping saddle when you get the chance. Perhaps your instructor may have one you can borrow till then?
Good Luck with your jumping!
The angles of your two point, when you start jumping high enough to need them, won’t be enough and you will be a bit off balance. I can jump 2’6 in dressage saddles no prob you just have to be careful. The knee roll will keep you from falling forward too much probably. If jumping is what you really want to go after I would polish up your saddle and sell it for as much as you can, then buy a real jump saddle.
If your plan is to just pop over a few jumps no higher than two feet, I suppose it would be fine to use a dressage saddle. However, if you want to get serious about jumping and really learn the position and technique, you will want to get a jumping saddle sooner rather than later. If you start out in a dressage saddle, you might develop some bad habits like riding with stirrups too long, leg slipping back over the jump, gripping with your knees, perching, ect.
Good luck!