The fitter was back two days before christmas with the modified saddle for Crispin. After checking the fit, changing the gullet a little, taking out some flocking and re-checking the saddle again, I first longed Crispin and then rode him for a few minutes. It felt heavenly to be sitting in a real saddle again!
I felt very comfortable, the size was just right for me and there was no slipping (not even when I was just longing Crispin), no rocking and the fitter was almost ecstatic about the dust pattern. So far so good.
Unfortunately, it wasn't going to last. When I tried the saddle again after christmas I knew something was off the second I got on. It didn't feel they way it had felt before. The point of balance had moved and was now too far to the back and the saddle seemed pommel high. I took pictures before and after the ride (it was just a very short ride, the indoor was too crowded and Crispin too fussy to do more than just a few rounds at the walk) and then realized that I did saddle a little too far to the the front.
I did use the saddle once more (in my lesson) this time making sure I'd put on the saddle correctly but ended up with pretty much the same results. It's pommel high...
I still do think this could be "the one" plus I really, really want to say yes to this saddle for all the right and some of the wrong reasons. The problem is that at this point I'd say yes to a saddle that isn't fitting right know and where I can not say for sure if it is even possible to fit it perfectly. I did send pictures to fitter and will call him in a few days to find out what he thinks.
(To top things off, I completely destroyed my camera by accidentally throwing it down on the concrete flor at the barn *yay*)
Now to the details:
The saddle is a Sommer Diplomat but with the "Espritkissen" (the panels are from another model, the Sommer Esprit). The saddle is a size 18 semi deep seat and has a extra wide gullet head.
The new Sommer saddles have quite a few special features that, to me, make them a great choice.
Pretty much everything about them (besides the shape of the tree) is changeable. The gullet (very easily changeable), the velcro knee rolls and even the (wool flocked) panels can be removed and changed without too much trouble.
