Carole,

This product is the best saddle I have ever ridden in!! The only saddle that has ever been fully comfortable for me!! I have to admit when I first took it out of the box and lashed it onto a fat breaker I was slightly skeptical (The saddle was somewhat tipped back), It just didn't fit or sit right. So that evening I conditioned it and warmed it up (keeping it in the house no microwaves or crazy stuff like that) and shaped the flaps a bit. Yesterday I put it on an ex-3 star eventer (Who qualified twice for the Australian national squad with my employer Jonathan). As soon as I placed my ass in the saddle I was hooked! I have enclosed pictures of that first fateful ride along with a bareback picture of the same horse (the chestnut)! It's now got to be bareback or the Ansur.The grey horse is the up and coming star doing 2 star at the moment.

I was reveling for the rest of the day! The stirrup bars are in the correct place!! They actually encourage you to keep your positional lines (toe under knee, ear- heel etc.). This saddle is utter brilliance. Latter that day I went to ride a problem horse a scooty rearer and the saddle supported me beautifully during every prop spin and run backwards!! I also would like to support your view that girths do not need to strangle the horse with this saddle, it is very stable. On the rearer I had my girth literally swinging and the saddle didn't move!!

I have ridden in every kind of saddle you can imagine, Kieffer, Bates, Wintec, Jaguar, Berney, Prestige, Fieldhouse, Stubben, Solution saddles among others. None of them even comes close to the Ansur Excel!!

As an International level 1 coach and clinician I strongly recommend this saddle. It's just like riding bareback with support! The same closeness, the same feel and the same freedom for the horse. All combined with the support the rider needs. I still regularly ride bareback but the saddle is not a bad second to that!! A tree, WHAT! NO never again!! I LOVE THIS SADDLE and as soon as I have the money together I shall be placing an order for an ansur Elite.

Not to sound corny but "You do have the Ansur!!"LOL

Please feel free to use the photos!!
 
B.Bergin 
ETRL, BHS STAGE 4 (Including ISM), BHS AI Regd. Level 1 Coach

(Mr. Bergin is currently operating an event barn in Australia.)