SADDLE REVIEW
Bates Artiste Stability, connection, and a seat that allows for a longer leg, perfect alignment and support for your upper body balance. What’s not to like?
A
fter ten years of watching from
by young Vinnie’s constantly evolving
as Karen had had only a quick ride in
the sidelines, Karen Booth
shape. So when her trainer suggested
her trainer’s saddle, the option to have
decided to take over the reins
trying a saddle with an easy change
the Artiste for a two-week trial suited
when her daughter retired from the
gullet, the search was back on.
her perfectly. Impressed by The Saddle
equestrian world. And so at the age
Karen hails from Chittering in Western
of 52, she learned to ride partnered
Australia, which can make buying a
by Vinnie, a homebred Clydesdale
second hand saddle difficult. “It can be
x Stockhorse who has always had a
hard to find a range of preloved saddles
special place in Karen’s heart.
for sale over on our side of the country,”
Fast shipping meant it arrived quickly,
she explains. A saddle fitter came out
and when she started to ride in it
and offered Karen a few saddles to trial,
she immediately noticed a significant
but nothing particularly excited her until
improvement in Vinnie. And as a
her trainer brought over his Bates Artiste.
bonus, Karen felt she could ride more
That was four years ago. Since then, after some forays into working equitation, Karen and Vinnie turned their thoughts to the dressage arena, and it quickly became apparent that it was
After a quick trial ride in which Karen
time for their inherited Bates General
was careful not to damage her trainer’s
Purpose saddle to be replaced.
beloved saddle, “which he thinks is the
Sitting in quite a few different saddles before finding one she thought would be suitable, Karen made a purchase. But
best saddle in the world,” she says, Karen had finally found a saddle that felt just right.
Hub’s customer service coupled with the peace of mind of knowing she could return the saddle if it didn’t suit, Karen decided to take it on trial.
effectively thanks to the Artiste’s design, which encourages the rider to sit in the correct position. With adjustable knee flaps and moveable stirrup bars, the saddle could be adjusted to suit both Karen and Vinnie, resulting in improved performance for them both.
disappointingly it never felt quite right,
A Google search for a second-hand
a problem she thinks was exacerbated
Artiste led her to The Saddle Hub, and
Having finally found what Karen calls their “Cinderella shoe”, she purchased the Artiste at the end of the trial and enthusiastically recommends The Saddle Hub for their helpfulness and a stress-free shopping experience. Vinnie is still green and Karen is still learning, but they have their sights set on entering the dressage arena at some point in the future – and in the meanwhile, they’re enjoying the journey in their Bates Artiste dressage saddle. The Saddle Hub has a wide variety of top quality second-hand saddles, so why wait? Visit www.equestrianhub.com.au
Your heart horse, a comfortable saddle and a sunny day – it just doesn’t get any better.
and browse through their fantastic range. All saddles come with a two-week trial, finance options, and a courier right to your door. E Q U E S T R I A N H U B . C O M . AU | 93
