Super Trendy Saddle Designs By Hermes

Hermes saddles of course found in Paris, the fashion mother ship.

Saddle Shopping Online

I feel like I am always in saddle shopping mode. One complaint I have about living in Colorado is the limited choices in tack stores, it makes it difficult to shop for saddles. It's hard to find a used saddle and give it a try, most of the saddle shopping needs to be performed online. Over the past 3 years I have tried 4 saddles (all purchased) for one horse before finding my saddle, which I love....the Amerigo Vega Jump!

Here are a few of my favorite places to shop (online) for saddles...

Smartpak. They have a trial program for saddles with free shipping on the trial saddle both ways. I think that is an excellent deal and from a business stand point a great way to encourage riders to trial a saddle and hopefully purchase.

Smartpak is also pretty awesome about a return policy. As long as the item isn't damaged, I do feel safe purchasing items from them knowing they will likely accept an exchange or return. Smartpak also provides some tips for saddle fitting and the customer service is great making it easy to do business with them.

SmartPak Trial Saddle: 17" Amerigo Vega Jump $3700

 

Maryland Tack Exchange. Not a big company like Smartpak but they have a great inventory of used higher end hunter/jumper saddles- CWDs, Butets, Antares, PJs, etc...they have a great selection.

All the saddles are available for trial via mail. They do charge shipping and a fee I believe for the trial, but the used selection is so good it's worth it. I have trialed a saddle with them before, they were very nice, easy to communicate with, and allowed me some flexibility with the saddle.

One thing I did notice is their saddles sell fast. So if you are looking to sell you may want to send it over to  them!

 

Maryland Tack Exchange on the inventory: 17" Antares $1800

 

High End Used Saddles. This is where I bought my Vega Jump. It has mojo, previous owner was a Grand Prix rider. I thought it was cute they had a little history about the saddle. The lady who runs  this operation really knows her saddles and she has some great suggestions on what works with different breeds. All of her saddles are upper end and also priced reasonably. She is select with the type of saddle she sells so you know what you purchase from her is quality.

 

High End Used Saddle on the inventory: 2008 Butet Long Flap Saddle $2695

Beautiful Barns Day #2: Tack Rooms

Thursday through Sunday I will be exploring beautiful barns.  Yesterday was stalls, check out here.  Today tack rooms.  Who wouldn't want a nice tack room, this is where we  spend most of our time off the horse cleaning, eating, and chatting!

I wonder where the stairs go off to...maybe a viewing area?

This is an amazing tack room.  The window is an elegant touch.

I love how the show halters are in display in cases.  The windows, door, and tack room give it a cute shop like feel.  

Tack rooms should always have sinks and windows.  The walls are beautiful.

All that light is great!  Tons of space.

The candle chandelier gives it an old charm.  Love the high ceilings.

Don't forget about your boarders!  Here is a way to separate tack for them, I love lockers.  No one can steal your stuff and it hides other people's messes.  These ones are roomy.

Finished wood lockers.  I see a kitty butt.

 The floor is a little funky, I like it.

Slightly more simple, but still charming with the light wood.

Tile floor, a great durable option that looks nice.

 I had to throw this in there for a little history.

Contrast of  white wall and stained wood adds some pop

More display cases, pretty cool.

 Light wood always looks good against dark tack.

Counter space is always needed.

Vintage decorations are very equestrian chic!

Another simple tack room, but lots of light and fans keep it beautiful.  The brick floor is a great idea.

Uniformed tack trunks are always a great idea to keep it neat.

More plants inside.

Gentlemen's tack room

I am a fan of light painted wood.  It almost looks like stalls, a great boarding option so add more wall space and not crowd tack.

New Deals On Weekly Deal Page

I posted a few new deals on the Weekly Deal Page here.

Includes Joules, Back on Track, and Equipe (Amerigo saddle)!  Check it out!