Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to The Outside Course!

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features!

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Opinions on Collegiate Alumi?
Topic Started: Jan 30 2008, 01:42 PM (306 Views)
cahunter
Weanling
[ * ]
I'm looking to purchase a new leather saddle that still has an interchangeable gullet. The Bates look very nice - but a bit out of my price range. I am looking to spend not much more than $1k. The Collegiate Alumi looks nice and it's right around my range. :)

Does anyone have any experiences with this saddle? Am I better off to look for a used Bates or Pessoa? I have been looking for a while and there's not a lot of used ones that I've found that have the interchangeable gullet.

Thanks in advance! :)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
3Bays
Member Avatar
You're BANNED!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Hi! Yes, I have an opinion on the Collegiate Alumni...at one point I had both the Collegiate Alumni and the Bates AP...I liked them both, but my favorite was the Alumni.

If you like/need a smaller twist in your saddle and like to feel closer to the horse, the Alumni has a much better balance and feel, IMO.

I liked its lighter weight for handling, also.

Do be sure you get the proper seat size...the first saddle I chose was too small and I went up one size and it fit perfectly and the balance was just great, too.

Anyway, that's what I experienced...even if the two had been the same price, I probably would have chosen the Alumni...if that helps?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
cahunter
Weanling
[ * ]
Thank you! That is exactly what I was wanting to hear! :)

How long did you have it for? Do you have any pictures you could show me, I'm not sure exactly what the colour is like.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
3Bays
Member Avatar
You're BANNED!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I had it for about a year. The color...hmmm, I don't have a picture of my exact saddle, but I'll try to find a link that has a GOOD color photo of it...the color is a brown but with slightly reddish undertones. I actually LIKED the color! I loved the saddle in general and it was tough selling it. I had to sell it for one which would have suede on it to help me grip better (I have a degenerating connective tissue disease). It was not a happy decision...that saddle fit me AND my horse really well!

Give me a few minutes and I'll see if I can't find a link to a good photo for you. ;)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
3Bays
Member Avatar
You're BANNED!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Ok,cahunter, here's a few links...hope they help!

http://www.equestrian-tack.com/coalcosan.html

http://mandmtackshop.stores.yahoo.net/coalsapa.html

http://www.fourwinds.net/esadcat/wb662700.html

http://www.farmhousetack.com/Saddlefitter/...giateAlumni.htm

http://www.theshowbarnllc.com/english_sadd...umni_saddle.htm

(by the way, the price on the showbarn Alumni is a bit lower! And the photo is very realistic as to look and color).

That's all I can find right now. If I find a better REAL photo, I'll post you. But, you should get some idea from those.

There is also another kind of saddle you might want to review...Courbette's Axxis saddle...?

http://www.theshowbarnllc.com/english_sadd...umni_saddle.htm

That's a photo of one in Newmarket leather. I have one in Chocolate Brown. Notice the way the knee pad section is made? The very cool thing about this saddle is it is something you can ride with different leg lengths in and still be balanced. VERY comfy saddle. (I probably will sell my Courbette as well as it doesn't fit my horses...a bit too wide). But the saddle itself is very nice and quite comfy. I have several friends who also have chosen this one and been happy.



Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
cahunter
Weanling
[ * ]
Thank you SO much! :) That is wonderful...those pictures are very helpful. All the pictures I've seen looked kind of grainy - I figured it was just the picture quality. I'm pretty flexible to the colour. My old guy was dark bay so I wanted something that would look good at him, but I just bought a grey!

I think you accidentally re-posted the last Collegiate Alumi link instead of the Courbette. :P But I will do a google seach - you have me curious!

Thanks again...very helpful!!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
3Bays
Member Avatar
You're BANNED!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
:duh: :duh: :duh: :rolleyes: Oh, jeeez, cahunter, I'm sorry! Yeah, I hit a duplicate listing on the Alumni...duh!

OK Here are Courbette sites!

The Newmarket color:

http://www.horsetown.com/Courbette-Axxis-p-12984.html

http://www.freeporttack.com/images/0906%20.../CC050206LG.jpg


The Coffee Brown color (this is the one I have):


http://www.bcsaddlery.com/sadgege.img/g22922y.jpg

http://www.horse-rider-etc.com/merchant2/m...ategory_Code=CS


At least these photos may give you an idea of how the saddle is designed...it's different, but very comfy...I like that it is one of those saddle designs that allows you to do a variety of styles of riding BUT is a close contact in feel.

Anyway, sorry for the confusion earlier! :innocent:




Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
AST
Weanling
[ * ]
I LOVE my Alumni convertable.

I don't think I will ever have a non-convertable saddle again. My gelding has changed gullet size at least 3 times in the past year.

The saddle really makes me feel secure, it's comfey and while it puts me in the correct possition it also lets you move when you need to.

I highly recomend it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
cahunter
Weanling
[ * ]
Thank you - that's great!

Thats alright 3bays, I am the WORST for stuff like that! :P Except I do it at the worst times, like during a math test when I'm supposed to be answering #7 - but I write it in #9's spot. :angry:

Anyways, LOVE the look of the Courbette!! I love the chocolate brown colour the most. I'm calling some local tack shops so I can see if they have any near me. Do you find it's easy to fit?

And thank you AST - love the feedback! :)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
3Bays
Member Avatar
You're BANNED!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
cahunter: sent you a PM about some details! ;)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · The Barn Aisle · Next Topic »
Add Reply