New Saddle

[Lgd]

Barnsby have kindly sent up a Luxus Dresseur dressage saddle to try on Peri for the tree shape, they only had a 4 tree in stock so it is a little wide (she takes a 3½) but even with having to pad the front up a little it has made a huge difference compared to the Raven. Claire was having a really good giggle last night when I was working on the medium and extended trot 'cos there was so much elevation I could hardly stay in the saddle (I got my revenge though when I made her work on her flying changes - Tavia still finds them sooo exciting!). Carolyn (the saddler) is coming out to do final measurements and to check that the tree is the right shape, but it looks as though we've been lucky and hit the right saddle first shot. Fingers crossed and I may have the new one for the area festivals.

[Jane.A]

Just wondered if you'd got your saddle sorted yet?

[Lgd]

I'm getting the Luxus BUT it will take 8 - 10 weeks as it will have to be custom made and with factory fortnight and other orders it will take that long to get it done. Barnsby have been very good as they have left the other saddle with me and with a special Pro-lite pad to fill the front out she is working well. I had a lesson with Gareth Hughes on Wednesday and she went well despite being rather full of herself.

Fortunately I cocked up my qualification for the Regionals - upgraded me so went open in the Medium with a half qualification at Restricted, and couldn't get the open qualification before the cut off date. Didn't get the Advanced Medium qualification mark (missed the 63% by 3 marks) alhtough I'd won one and placed second in two. PSG - only one score over 58%, needed two and my closest was only 1 mark short, I've only managed three PSG qualifiers this year as I lost two to competitions being cancelled due to strangles and I was on call at the hospital so missed the two day one at Etal and the one at Harewood!

Having said that qualifying for the finals of the PSG freestyle really made up for it, and it is a darn sight cheaper to do the festival, although I'll have a sore butt with 12 classes on two horses over two days!