Well, THAT was a fun evening! Mary arrived at five, and we tested the Vogue GPT on Comet, and Mary tried out the Fhoenix and the SBS afterwards, just for comparison. I have to say that the GPT was extremely comfortable, although I think I would probably prefer the dressage version, but I'd have to try it to be sure. Comet went very well (for him!) even though I couldn't talk him into taking his right lead this time. I managed to get it a few times on Sunday...!
I will post the photos tomorrow evening (Denver time!) as we spent so much time afterwards filling our faces with snacks and watching videos, that I've hardly had time to get anything else done! We saw some sales footage of a very nice young Spanish/Portuguese stallion that I went up to visit for a friend, and then watched the Brazilian sales tape from 2004 which had Solar HM on it, a very typey and wonderful Lusitano stallion, now in Massachussetts, then some of the fourth Philippe Karl video, and then some of Xino's lesson under saddle with Manuel Trigo from a couple of weeks ago! I tell you, I am SO proud of my little Xino! I was terrified he would misbehave and be difficult, but he was so steady and willing and did anything we asked, including his canter departs in both directions from the corner of the arena (unlike some other horse I know...!)
But anyway, back to the saddle. It seemed to slip backwards enough so that the seat didn't look level any more (although I didn't feel tipped forward), and the pommel was sitting really close to his withers. We had the molded panels in, so perhaps we should have had the flat ones in...? This sliding back problem seems to be a consistent one, although with the Fhoenix it didn't seem to be creating quite so much of a problem these days, like tipping forward like it did before.
Is it my imagination or is the saddle quite a bit shorter than the Fhoenix? I'm wondering what size saddle you sent out, Shannon, although I seemed to have plenty of room in it when I put my hand on the cantle area.
So now what? I'd love to try the dressage one some day. Is there any chance that it could be sent out so that I could use it during my next lessons with Manuel during the week of June 2nd? But I'm just not sure about that problem of sliding backwards and tipping forwards.
I'll get the photos up tomorrow.
Christina
Indian Hills, Colorado
www.AlphabetRanch.com
