Berneys Saddles

ordinary star

Hi
I'm just looking for opinions/experience of berneys saddles.. are they balanced enough to do advanced riding in?

I was looking into buying a GP but had opinions shared to me that berneys saddles will do nothing for my position and make me ride like a hunter?

I'm not looking for any old saddle i need one that will hold/enhance my position well as i would be riding pretty sensitive horses and producing them for jumping/eventing

Any opinions appreciated!

fits

Go to Goodwins

I have a very nice bridle from Berneys which I love but I'm not sure if I'd get one of their saddles, especially for the kind of riding you're talking about. Grand for hunting I'd say alright.

mystika121

I use a Berney International saddle for reschooling ex-racehorses and I have found it excellent.

It is a great fit with plenty of wither room. It has well positioned knee and thigh rolls which I have found useful in the past! It is a little forward cut for dressage but it is fine for general flatwork.

It's also not too heavy for a young horse which I have found some other brands of saddle can be.

convert

I've had a GP Berney's saddle for the last 16 years and have had no problems with it for anything I've used it for - SJ, dressage, XC, hunting, breaking, etc., all of which I've done to an advanced level. I don't use it showing, apart from WH, because the cut doesn't show off the horse's front as well as a saddle designed specifically for the purpose (but it's not intended to as it's a GP saddle) and I find if you want to ride really short - i.e. jockey length - the knee rolls are a little awkward when sitting in the saddle, but are fine when you're standing up in the saddle.

Re. your position: you shouldn't be relying solely on a saddle to 'hold' or improve your position - you need to do that yourself and use your muscles to enhance your riding. Try riding without stirrups or even without a saddle to improve your position and tone your muscles which you need to strengthen your seat. If you're inclinded to 'ride like a hunter' as you say, you'll probably do it in any saddle, regardless of shape, so I'd recommend you work on your position through riding, and find a saddle that you feel is comfortable and fits you properly rather than focusing on whether or ot it will improve your position. If you're really going to take riding seriously, then perhaps you should look at buying a couple of specialised saddles for each discipline.

ordinary star

Thanks everyone!

yea sorry convert i probably didnt explain myself very well - have years of good training under my belt, my position is good and secure. I was referring to when, even if you have a good position some saddles can tip you out of balance. Which makes me 'ride like a hunter' if i ride contiuously in one of those saddles even if i have a fundamentally good position which i have worked hard to achieve.

I found the John Whittaker saddle excellent for advanced work and also the horseware saddle was very good (but unfortunately the tree spread on this one after about a year of continuous use on several horses a day) -these were belonging to my trainer and owners..

I suppose I was hoping to learn of a saddle that was good enough to do both jobs (the breaking/hunting and the advanced work) but maybe i'll have to resign to the fact i'll have to get 2 saddles..

Borderfox

One tool never does as good a job as two specifically made for the job, especially if your doing this professionally. I have had a Berney's gp saddle for the past 7 years and I have to say its held up very well and still as comfortable as the day I bought it.

mothoin

If you want a good saddle, the only crowd to go near is

http://www.antares-sellier.com

Ben is the name of the rep for here, pm me f you want his number, he always has a good selction of second hand saddles aswell, new ones are very pricey!

pm me if you want his number.

also don't buy a gp, it is neither jump nor dressage, a bastardisation, which is quite pointless really! buy a jump saddle for breaking/jumping and buy a dressage saddle for flat!

Jen Pigs Fly

I love my berney's saddle - it is the olympic close contact model so there are no saddle flaps and has dressage billets.

It works brilliantly for my mare, she hates her mouth being messed with so a close contact suits her as she can feel my lef aids more.

twomeys

Hiya,

Firstly we dont sell berneys!!! We have many customers with them and in fairness they have a very good reputation. I have met the people that actually make them and they do put their heart and sole into them.

Now regarding a saddle. Most companies including Bates, Wintec, Amerigo, Equipe, Kieffer and many more all offer a Ride Before You buy. Im sure Berneys do as well, Can anyone confirm that. Id be very surprised if they didnt offer you that service. That way you get to sit in it and you'll know then in your own mind if the Berney suits you and your horse.

Best of luck with the new purchase and I hope it all works out for you..

Eoghan

byhookorbycrook

I have an old Berneys' and love it so much that I paid about €300 to have it fully restored,I find it nice and light to life and the cantle is low enough for me to get my dodgy legs over it!!I agree that a specialist saddle for each task is great, but not so financially wonderful!!

twomeys

Byhook, some day the Equestrain angels will grant every good horse owner 3 wishes and a saddle for each disipline!!! Some day

I was speaking to Karen the Horsey expert here. She said that Berneys saddles can give a hunting seat and may not suit everyone for Show jumping. Id still try and get them to give you a demo one. I think you'd know yourself in an hour if its for you or not. Buying a saddle is a tough thing, there is so much choice and we have sometimes gone to a yard 2 or 3 times and people are still unsure. Take your time anyway and be sure in your heart that whatever you decide is good for both of you..

ordinary star

Thanks everyone for all contributions!

It looks at the moment that if i do go with berneys i'll go for one of their jumping models..

twomeys wrote: »

I was speaking to Karen the Horsey expert here. She said that Berneys saddles can give a hunting seat and may not suit everyone for Show jumping. .

its good to know someone else shared that opinion..

I am definately going to try to get a ride before you buy -i wasnt entirely sure that option existed!

twomeys

Hi Ordinary,

Im not sure do Berneys offer this but a load of other manufacturers do and to be honest we wouldnt sell any saddle if the customer couldnt ride in it first. So give em a call I would hope they could offer that to you. Let us know how you get on..

ordinary star

Thanks for all of your help!

In the end i went to a saddlers that had lots of different types of second hand saddles and gave me the option to take the saddles and try them for a day or two to see if i liked it.

I settled in the end for a berneys saddle (not sure which type) for €350
It rides beautifully, it is perfectly balanced, fits the few horses i ride well and the knee rolls are not too big!

twomeys

Ah thats great news, congrats on the purchase and well wear. Im glad you got to try it out first its a great service. Without it we wouldnt sell a bean
!!! Hope it brings you some wins!

Eoghan