County vs. Prestige

[diaryofarider]

Anyway, so I have the new saddle in my posession, though it is only 80% mine right now- anyway, some thoughts:
I think the County puts me in a better position on the horse. Time (and pictures/video) will tell.
I think the County fits the horse better- it looks like it gives her shoulder more room, and feels like it is better on her back (more stretching and willingness to stretch, much bigger, better quality canter).
The County has less use (2005, and doesn't have hardly even any stirrup marks, billet holes not stretched).

I think the County was a good choice for Trudi and I, but I will say that I think the Prestige is a better quality saddle.

The leather is softer and has, overall, held up very well. The leather on the skirt of the county is really rough and fiberous.
The stitching and cut of the leather and details of the Prestige are extremely nice. It feels like, over time, the Prestige might hold up better.

But, we'll see.

Comments

[megfuzzle.livejournal.com]

I love Black County, (most comfortable saddle I've ever owned)
and I love prestige, but the prestiges just NEVER seem to fit me. Ever. It's quite sad, really.

[diaryofarider.livejournal.com]

I've heard good things about the Black Countrys (Countys?) but I was wondering if they were made by the same people that do Albion- I have an Albion bridle, and I'm not impressed with it- the padding cracked after like a year and considering how much they sell for I think that it's a ripoff.

[halfpass-19.livejournal.com]

I'd agree with you about the quality of the Prestige saddles. Mine was bought new by my trainer's wife when she was a YR (probably 1996 or so), and she's notoriously horrible to all her non-living possessions. She sold it to another student, and then I got it. When I sold it 2 years ago, it was about 10 years old. I really did a super-duper deep cleaning, and I think the damn thing could've passed for barely used. They're VERY well put-together. Of course they're stuffed with foam, which I personally don't care for, so I don't know that I'd buy another one. But man do they last!

I'm glad to hear the County seems to be working. When I tried my Custom for the first time, it was as if the planets aligned, the heavens opened, and a chorus of angels sang forth. Wally was much freer in the shoulder, with much more suspension, and I was just in the right place. No fussing, no tugging, no pulling my legs off and back. It was just, "right." There was nothing wrong with my Prestige per se, it just wasn't quite right for either of us, but I didn't realize it until I rode in that Custom.