Royal king saddle

[Ex-racer]

I have looked into these saddles a bit and they tend to get quite mixed reviews. Some people saying they love theirs and others saying they are cheap and not well made.

This one is on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251037842356?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_614wt_1185

Not much info on it but from what I can make it out it's the 'Cowboy Comfort' one on this page (same model number):

http://saddleshop.bizland.com/silver_royalwestern.htm

From the reviews I've read people who are not advising Royal King saddles say it's because they have a flexible tree.

Does this saddle have a flexible tree?

Does anyone on here have any experience of them?

Thanks

 

[TC3200]

I'm in the USA. Generally we say avoid the whole JT International product line (Royal King, King Series, etc.) For saddles, I mean.

From what I've been able to find out, that saddle is called the "Cowboy Comfort" (model name.) As far as I know, Royal King is J.T. International, and none of those use any American-made parts. Ralide is a USA brand name for a polymer tree. http://www.ralide.com/store/pages.php?pageid=2

This ad here http://www.pennystackoutlet.com/royal-king-cowboy-comfort.html says it's a "5 year guaranteed polymar form fit comfort tree" but does not specifically call it a Ralide tree. (eta: Here is where I backed out the name from the model number given on that ebay saddle http://saddleshop.bizland.com/silver_royalwestern.htm, same as you did.) polymar isn't even a real word, haha. Polymer injection molded saddle tree is what I think they meant. So, it's an imitation of Ralide, not the genuine thing.

eta: Get JT International catalogs here: http://jtidist.com/request_catalog.php I don't see that model listed. I don't see any "ploymar" trees in there, either.

This is a some info about kinds of Ralide trees. They are rigid and solid, not flex trees.
http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/horse-forums/ralide-trees-187164.html
http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/horse-forums/ralide-fiberglass-wood-trees-131457.html

My advice is to avoid any saddle that's marketed by J.T. International, because they are low quality saddles with weak or at least very suspect trees.

I think perhaps years ago (like late '80s and earlier but don't take that as the gospel) Royal King, King Series, and Buffalo saddles were actually made in the USA and were decent saddles. But those brand names were bought out and are now on India / Pakistan / Asia imports.

 

[Demson]

I just think when good quality western saddle will set you back a good £2K then one selling so cheap gives room for thought... :unsure::unsure::unsure:

 

[Horseislove]

I have a silver royal show saddle probably about at least 20yrs old now. I bought it used it was previously used for showing {breed show level} It is a heavy sturdy saddle,quality leather & has silver plating with bronze overlay & rubies{not the tinny cheap stuff}.Cleaned up it could still be taken out to show ring. I have seen a few of the vintage silver royals & they were well made.I heard at one time they were made by circle Y. Any the newer stuff i've seen looks cheap & won't touch them who knows who makes them now. Also Easy to brand names mixed up with some like silver supreme,royal king{cheapie}. Do find some of the older saddles are made much better than those made today just look at some old vs new of circle Y , billy royal ,tex tan etc.