Saddle Review: Equipe Viktoria

SADDLE REVIEW

Equipe Viktoria

Crafted from supple Italian leather, the Equipe Viktoria features a narrow twist designed to enhance a correct and effective rider position.

Jennifer Wailes’ first pony was a little grey Welshie. “Her name was Cheryl and I’d just turned seven. I’ve been riding ever since then, apart from when I had broken bones,” says Jennifer, who had been sidelined for 12 months after a fall. But now she’s back in the saddle – an Equipe Viktoria from The Saddle Hub, and she couldn’t be happier.

Jennifer lives in Yeoval, Central West NSW. In the past, she has worked with Quarter Horses and participated in different disciplines such as hacking, cutting and reining, but in recent years Jennifer has immersed herself in dressage: “which is where I’ll stay – it’s such a challenge and I love it.”

Competing as an Amateur Owner Rider, Jennifer has enjoyed success at many Sydney and regional dressage events and is setting her sights on the Australian AOR Dressage Championships at SIEC next month. There she will be riding her six-year-old Warmblood Anaki Park Sofinest who is

now back at home: “When I smashed my femur from hip to knee I was out of action for quite some time, so I sent him to Megan Bryant Equestrian to keep him educated and exercised. After several shows with great scores and prizewinning percentages, I was able to jump back on. At home I’m also working SoSecret a four-year-old NZ OTT. He was never a winner on the track, but will be a lovely dressage horse as he has an amazing temperament.” Jennifer works full time with Community Health at Wellington Health Service, so much of her riding is done in the evening. “I have an all-weather arena which drains beautifully and has solar lights, which are very helpful in the dead of night” she says.

During these nocturnal sessions her husband Guy, a branch manager at Ag’n’Vet, makes up feeds, cleans boxes, and sees to maintenance. Dinner is usually around 10:00pm. “He’s the husband of the century” declares Jennifer. “He also saddles up and hoses the horses down, which makes my life a lot easier with time management and training.”

The Saddle Hub purchase was for SoFinest. “The Hawkesbury River Equitation was fine on a gelding I’d had previously but it wasn’t one hundred per cent right on SoFinest. I wanted something where I could really feel the horse underneath me with a deep seat.”

She heard about The Saddle Hub through magazines and the internet. “I rode in four different styles before making my selection. The customer service department was so efficient and accommodating, and for someone wanting a saddle who lives out the back of nowhere they made the process so simple. I can’t thank them enough.”

The Saddle Hub has a wide variety of top quality second-hand saddles, so why wait? All saddles come with a two-week trial, finance options, and a courier right to your door. Terms and conditions apply.