Saddle Review: Bates Artiste

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?

After ten years of watching from the sidelines, Karen Booth decided to take over the reins when her daughter retired from the equestrian world. And so at the age of 52, she learned to ride partnered by Vinnie, a homebred Clydesdale x Stockhorse who has always had a special place in Karen’s heart.

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 time for their inherited Bates General Purpose saddle to be replaced.

Sitting in quite a few different saddles before finding one she thought would be suitable, Karen made a purchase. But disappointingly it never felt quite right, a problem she thinks was exacerbated by young Vinnie’s constantly evolving shape. So when her trainer suggested trying a saddle with an easy change gullet, the search was back on.

Karen hails from Chittering in Western Australia, which can make buying a second hand saddle difficult. “It can be hard to find a range of preloved saddles for sale over on our side of the country,” she explains. A saddle fitter came out and offered Karen a few saddles to trial, but nothing particularly excited her until her trainer brought over his Bates Artiste.

After a quick trial ride in which Karen was careful not to damage her trainer’s beloved saddle, “which he thinks is the best saddle in the world,” she says, Karen had finally found a saddle that felt just right.

A Google search for a second-hand Artiste led her to The Saddle Hub, and as Karen had had only a quick ride in her trainer’s saddle, the option to have the Artiste for a two-week trial suited her perfectly. Impressed by The Saddle 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.

Fast shipping meant it arrived quickly, and when she started to ride in it

Your heart horse, a comfortable saddle and a sunny day – it just doesn’t get any better.

she immediately noticed a significant improvement in Vinnie. And as a bonus, Karen felt she could ride more 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.

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 and browse through their fantastic range.

All saddles come with a two-week trial, finance options, and a courier right to your door.