Drummers mum
30th Aug 2005, 05:20 PM
I have been speaking to Helen from Goldfinch. She was really helpful regarding my stirrups and numnah but she also told me why the freeform became!
This is the email she sent me:
The Freeform is just a natural progression from the Fitform. There are only 3 main differences between the two:
Injection moulding – this is the major difference as it allows the use of a denser foam and the contours of the saddle to be achieved without having to stitch into shape. It also means uniformity and constant symmetry which is a new standard in the saddling industry although it only really applies to saddle trees.
The Seat – more sizes and what gives the Freeform a much more conventional appearance over the Fitform.
No pommel or cantle blocks – with a flexible aluminium wither plate incorporated into the seat, means the Freeform is totally flexible both laterally and medially.
The Freeform still has the “Y” system girth of the Fitform, the base of the Classic is still the same size and shape as the Fitform and most of the same materials remain, stirrup attachment is still the same apart from the fact it is adjustable position wise.
There was nothing wrong with the Fitform and we were sorry to lose it altogether. I think the original intention was to keep both saddles to give people the choice but unfortunately, due to politics and the fact that the saddle was and is still being copied; the Fitform had to be totally replaced by the Freeform. The fact that the Freeform is injection moulded makes it an expensive prospect for copying – usually anyone who copies a product wants to do it on the cheap and often via India or China.
This is the email she sent me:
The Freeform is just a natural progression from the Fitform. There are only 3 main differences between the two:
Injection moulding – this is the major difference as it allows the use of a denser foam and the contours of the saddle to be achieved without having to stitch into shape. It also means uniformity and constant symmetry which is a new standard in the saddling industry although it only really applies to saddle trees.
The Seat – more sizes and what gives the Freeform a much more conventional appearance over the Fitform.
No pommel or cantle blocks – with a flexible aluminium wither plate incorporated into the seat, means the Freeform is totally flexible both laterally and medially.
The Freeform still has the “Y” system girth of the Fitform, the base of the Classic is still the same size and shape as the Fitform and most of the same materials remain, stirrup attachment is still the same apart from the fact it is adjustable position wise.
There was nothing wrong with the Fitform and we were sorry to lose it altogether. I think the original intention was to keep both saddles to give people the choice but unfortunately, due to politics and the fact that the saddle was and is still being copied; the Fitform had to be totally replaced by the Freeform. The fact that the Freeform is injection moulded makes it an expensive prospect for copying – usually anyone who copies a product wants to do it on the cheap and often via India or China.