For a combo B-day and X-mas gift for my soon to be 10 year old daughter, I'm looking at HP saddles. I want one suitable for showing, but not so fancy/expensive that we wouldn't want to use it for everyday use. Anyone have a preference? The only place I've looked so far is in the catalogs. Thanks!

I know that SSTack.com has a few nice saddle packages I was thinking of getting into one before I was given a saddle as a b-day gift!

This is one of them --> Pinnacle Kirby Package

Here is a child's package too --> Pinnacle Childs CC Package

I actually just ordered a bridle and breast collar made by Pennacle and was pleasantly suprised at the quality of it. I am sure you would not be unhappy with the quailty of it for your daughter.

They are reasonably priced and come with a lot of extras which tend to add up in the end.

Good luck!

i love love love my corbette!

I have yet to find one that fits any of my Arabians correctly. Which model do you have? The Magic is horrid...had a few friends try to fit them to their TBs and could not.

I have a lovely light tan hunter pleasure saddle. New. Never used. We sold our horse and have decided to sell the saddle.
If you are still looking to purchase please send me an email prairiewoods@yahoo.com so I can send you pictures, size, make.
I am selling for $400usd

We have had great luck with the Crosby Centennial. Take a look at Ebay and when she outgrows it resell. I try to buy used tack of the best quality rather that new lesser quality. I can't tell you how many people have borrowed one of my hunt or western show saddles to try the fit before they buy one on Ebay so they know how it will fit. Good luck!

I'd recommend getting a used high-quality saddle. You're more likely to get a better bang for your buck if you go search around the tack shops for a used saddle in good shape, versus something new with lower quality leather and fit. But in terms of brands the older pessoa/circuit saddles (avoid the new models), Arabian Saddle Company, Beval LTD, and Crosby generally make nice saddles. I now show in an Arabian Saddle Company, but I've owned both an older Crosby and an older Pessoa and got good use out of both. I don't know if the saddle is a suprise, but if not, bring her around to the tack stores and have her sit in different models. If she is jumping in this saddle, this is especially important as to find a proper fitting leg flap that will work for both flat length and the jumping length comfortably. Once you find something that she likes, you can start checking the actual saddlery's websites for used saddles or some with imperfections, the local tack shops, E-bay, tacktrader.com, etc. Also once you find her preference, give Dover Saddlery a call. Occasionally you can get a nice deal on trial saddles they are now selling, closeout saddles, and saddles with small imperfections.

Thanks for all of the great ideas so far! She won't be jumping, at least any time soon. My yearling colt, if not sold before training time, may have a nack for over fence classes. So if he's kept, she may have the horse if she has the desire.