Dressage test in new saddle - silly?

[Laura+Phantom]

I haven't done a dressage test before so I really wanted to do the no canter test at my riding club on the 7th June. Only thing is, his saddle really doesn't fit anymore so i'm having a made to measure one made for me, which will take 2 weeks. I'm getting it back on the morning of the 7th, and the dressage starts at 5pm, so do you think it's unreasonable to do the no canter test on the first day of having my new saddle?

I can hack out in it/do a little schooling earlier in the day so i'll know if it's no good, and the test is only walk, trot, 20m circles and changes of rein. Do you think it'll be okay? Otherwise the next one is the end of July and I want to be doing the prelim by then!

Edited to say: in the meantime he's being lunged regularly!

[DavidH]

Shouldn't be a problem. :)

[MeMe]

Agree, the saddler is coming to check its fit once its ready that day to surely?

If all is fine I see no problem either :D

[Laura+Phantom]

Yes she's bringing it down and having a look at it on him as well that day.

Okay then i'll post my entry form! Thanks! :)

[RachelEvent]

That should be alright, especially as it's just walk and trot.

That's unless you've got a horse like Ferdie, who takes at least two weeks to relax when he has got a new saddle or his saddle has been dramatically adjusted :rolleyes:

[Yann]

Just a word of caution, some saddles benefit from allowing the flocking to settle through an initial period of steady riding to get and keep the best fit. So long as your warm up isn't too sustained though I can't imagine a single dressage test will cause you any problems if this is the case. The saddler is the best person to advise you if this is likely to be an issue.

[Laura+Phantom]

Thanks, i'll make sure I take it easy then, hopefully he'll be a lot more relaxed in his new saddle, and we don't have a show after that for a couple of weeks so it should have bedded in by then :)