Do you think some TLC could make this a decent schooling saddle again?
I can see that it's old and dirty and has obviously been used quite a bit. But I like it's general design. I have a habit of buying, cleaning, and reselling vintage western saddles, but I've never done that with an english saddle. Do you recognize the brand? Even if it's not worth anything, I do need a saddle for schooling. Do you think it has potential?
YES, i get it, it looks like crap. I know, I know, I know. But with love and a better photographer could it be better? It looks like it was nice at one point.
Bliss2012-03-05T19:30:22Z
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It looks like it should be serviceable. Check the billets for safety, and make sure the flocking hasn't 'leaked' out there at the left point where it looks like it's open. That could make it sit off-center.
Check the tree!
And of course, check the fit on your horse and you. What discipline are you schooling? I like the lack of knee rolls, etc, but the forward set of the stirrup bars could make it hard to have a deep seat.
I don't know the name, but if it's still in one piece after the obvious use and abuse it's had, it must be good quality.
You already know how to refurbish leather. I say go for it and if nothing else, you can sell it for more than you paid.
Reselling english saddles is a whole other market and can get more expensive than restoring western saddles.
I work at a consignment saddle shop, and we get some Thoroughbred saddles in, in VERY good condition (like barely used, clean and well maintained) and even those barely sell for $250. Most of them don't resell.
It looks like a Crosby Prix de Nations. But, when I looked at the picture of the top, the little buttons don't say "Crosby England" like I expected. I can't quite make out what they say - Thoroughbred? If it was made in England, the quality is probably pretty good (or was).
I was going to say it looks worth restoring until I got to the 4th picture (the one with red in it). I'm not sure exactly what's going on there, but it looks like a major repair to fix it, if it's even possible. If you can get it for that $45 opening bid, it might be worth trying. Their shipping price seems high. I'd keep looking and be ready to spend a couple hundred dollars on a good quality used saddle.