synthetic tack for showing????

[JackDaniels]

I was wondering if you get penalised for showing horses in synthetic tack? (i am thinking the equileather saddles rather than the material looking ones) I am guessing that the answer to this is yes. I wonder whether there are any manufacturers out there, who make synthetic leather tack, aimed specifically for showing, doule bridles etc)
Would you be looked at funny with synthetic for jumping / dressage?

[Mehitabel]

no, you donl;t get penialised as such unless it';s a tack and turnout class. but showing is a lot about the 'picture. and the leather saddles do look better. most important is fit and cut - a straight cut saddle shows off the shoulder and doesn't hamper movement.

[*Sez*]

I used a Wintec 500 synthetic saddle in tack and turn out, and I defy almost anyone to spot the difference without getting up close and having a good look. ;) If it is clean and well presented, you shouldn't get penalised at all. Fair enough, we came last :rolleyes: :o but purely because my horse wouldn't stand still for the judge to see how well turned out we were! :D

As for dressage and jumping, I can't imagine it would matter at all, so long as it showed the horse's movement nicely and was clear of the shoulder.

[Wally]

It depends upon what level you are looking at!

You'll find it hard to get to the very top of the tree with synthetic. Local level you might get away with it depending on the judge.

[Mehitabel]

there was a competitor at olympia in 2005 in a synthetic saddle! i didn't even notice spectating. thep ony did wear a leather bridle though - i think the synthetic saddles are much more 'advanced;' in terms of traditional look than the bridles.

[JackDaniels]

this is all very useful thanks.. I am a veggie you see.. and don't really like using leather! I have just bought a wintec saddle, which my instructor says can be used for shows.. it's just i have a friend who likes showing and is very 'traditional' and is a firm believer in leather!!

[Nik-n-Kia]

i use a synthetic saddle and I show not proffesionally but I enjoy it and it is sooo much comfyier than any leather saddle it have had!!!!

You can now buy the synthetic leather bridles but they are very expensive right now!!!

Nikki xxxx

[Wally]

As a veggie look at it this way, If I eat the cow, you might as well use the inedible bits up after I ate it, it's far more environmentally friendly, bio degradable, no plastics used and sustainable, when the oil runs out you'll be glad of leather. ;) ;)

[Nookster]

I was at a local show and the judge commented on my synthetic saddle reducing us down the line- hunter class

[jenren!!]

I wouldnt have thought so...but it does depend. Initially they prefer leather, but i think synthetics are generally accepted as not everyone can afford leather saddles!

[CurlyWurlyRach]

i use a synthetic wintec 2000 which i adore (used to use an old Stubben and it was a right a*se cracker) and without getting a really good look it looks fiine :)

[JackDaniels]

Wally - that is an awful thing to say!! i'd rather the people who have eaten the cow to also use the leather! and i will stick to my synthetic!! i guess i will only be doing local shows anyway!

[Daffy Dilly]

Personally I much prefer leather saddles, they look nicer. And tbh, nobody has made a synthetic show/wh saddle yet, possibly for the reason that leather is more popular amongst showbies.

What kind of wintec have you got? Not to put a dampner on things, but they aren't necessarily the best choice for native backs. If your welshie is big fronted, you may have a problem as many saddles (I'm coming to learn!) can restrict the shoulder and therefore the movement, which is crucial for a welsh at the shows. I assume you had it fitted?

[JackDaniels]

well i got a wintec wide. and it was recommended and fitted by my instructor. (i know everyone has different opinions on the minefield that is saddles and saddle fitting..) i respect my instructors advice as hopefully she is going to help me make Jack into a grand prix dressage horse!!

[joshes mum]

My friend took her cob to a show last summer he was wearing a synthetic saddle and bridle and came 2nd and 3rd.I think synthetic saddles look just as good as leather their easier to keep clean and dont need so much looking after and the price is good as well.;)

[mogadoga]

Ive shown county level in my wintec 500. And believe me im not a saddle cleaner lol but we did good. Every show we go to is in this saddle. It fits Alex. It was hard getting one to fit, so im not going to get something uncomfortable for him just to 'look good' Tbh you cant notice (someone rode him at the royal london show when i hurt my back) when he is being ridden, as you do tend to watch him and his muscly legs/sholders and think s**t that can move for its size! lol

[parsharainbow]

[QUOTE=CurlyWurlyRach;1182841] (used to use an old Stubben and it was a right a*se cracker) QUOTE]

yeah I swapped to a wintec for exactly the same reason -uncomfortable wasn't the word :eek:

[Horsewoman]

there was a competitor at olympia in 2005 in a synthetic saddle! i didn't even notice spectating. thep ony did wear a leather bridle though - i think the synthetic saddles are much more 'advanced;' in terms of traditional look than the bridles.

There is a synthetic saddle which is endorsed by the Pony Club so would imagine that it is acceptable for competing. Modern, good quality synthetics look very good and from being a saddle snob (no synthetic was going to touch my harse!) I became a convert after riding on one. The only problem is that they don't last long because the tree is inclined to spreadalthough thismay be redeemable with the one with an adjustrable gullet.

Not an expert though so this is speculation.

[Emerald_city]

my friend shows at PUK and alot of BIG shows with her daughter and her pony , they mainly enter First ridden and LR but they still get placed top 3 everytime, never affected their performance :D although i agree that T&T judges wont like it

[Pink's lady]

If I eat the cow, you might as well use the inedible bits up after I ate it, it's far more environmentally friendly, bio degradable, no plastics used and sustainable, when the oil runs out you'll be glad of leather

ROFL:D:D:D

I've shown in synthetic leather and nobody mentioned anything. My ass was covering most of it anyways;)

As for synthetic bridle - you can get beta webbing that looks very like leather and also feels almost like leather. Dr Cook bridles are made of it but I'm sure you could get bitted bridle made up too. There are other synthetic leathers too which might do - you would have to try them and see.