Berney or Goodwin saddles?

rollingrock1

Hi all,

was wondering if anyone has any experience buying made to measure saddles from either Berney or Goodwins please (Black country saddles from Goodwins)? in particular, I need to fit a 16.3hh ISH with a relatively high whither and large shoulder. Im also quite tall so will need a more forward projection in saddle to accommodate hip to knee for jumping etc....

Anyone have any recommedations etc?

elusiveguy

rollingrock1 wrote: »

Hi all,

was wondering if anyone has any experience buying made to measure saddles from either Berney or Goodwins please (Black country saddles from Goodwins)? in particular, I need to fit a 16.3hh ISH with a relatively high whither and large shoulder. Im also quite tall so will need a more forward projection in saddle to accommodate hip to knee for jumping etc....

Anyone have any recommedations etc?

I'd go with the BC from Goodwins so long as its fit by George and only George...

rollingrock1

Ok thanks for replying... did you get a Black Country saddle fitted before by any chance? really like the look of them but as always you can't beat speaking to people who have one and can give you a genuine opinion on them.... not a cheap saddle so really want to get this right

elusiveguy

I haven't but have had good experiences with George with other saddles and know many people who also have.

Have you had a fitting yet? Why Black Country?

byhookorbycrook

I have to say I wouldn't swop my Berneys GP for diamonds.

Esroh

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

I have to say I wouldn't swop my Berneys GP for diamonds.

I second this and Ill have it 29 years at christmas. Rode in all makes and shapes over the years and none come close. Even those of which I had sole use from new which would have moulded to me never felt as good

rollingrock1

elusiveguy wrote: »

I haven't but have had good experiences with George with other saddles and know many people who also have.

Have you had a fitting yet? Why Black Country?

I guess I'm basing it on good reviews add the fact that there seems to be a huge range of options with regard to fit for both rider and horse :-) I'm tall so will need forward projection but horse has large shoulder and high whither so proving quite difficult to suit both. Black Country specialise in more forward cut models but in keeping with high whither clearance. I don't know, it's a big investment so really want to get it right! Thanks for advise tho! And great to see positive response for Berney too...thinking will have to try to get a spin on both and go from there! :-)

bob1984

I have had both

My Berney I have had for about 14 years and I simply adore it - I had used it on so many horses over the years; It unfortunately did suit my new young horse last year so I got a new Black Country from Goodwins.

I have to say for a new saddle it didn't take any breaking in so to speak and I feel like I have been riding in it forever. It is so comfortable

So I have had good experiences with both

rollingrock1

Ok cool, great to hear that so I guess it will be just down to whoever can offer the best fitting service I guess.... there is also the price difference with the Black Country saddles coming up at least 300-400 more that the Berney (monoflap Olympic)....

Bob1984 - Dont suppose you have a pic of your black country saddle? which model did you go for? did you get additional alterations when you bought it to suit you or your horse?
thanks so much for your opinions folks!

Fi

bob1984

LOL the only real pic I have of it is under a Christmas tree - so you cant see much detail I can take one tonight if I think of it though. Browsing through the site I reckon mine is a GP Event:

http://www.blackcountrysaddles.com/gp-events/

There was a slight alteration needed but it was done then and there for me so I didn't have to wait any length of time. Goodwins are actually due back out soon to check it on him as they said he was likely to change shape this year - he was only 4 when it was fitted and this is his first full year of work;

rollingrock1

Yeah its fab... The reviews are really good too! well wear, I'm saddle jealous!

paddi22

i use both berneys and goodwins and would rate both highly. Only issue i've ever had with berneys is that there saddles never seem to fit tricky shaped horses. Even after refits and reflocking. For the two horses i have now, both are tricky shapes with high withers and i had to go with goodwins to get saddles that fit. The only ones that fitted my high withered ones were albions and thorowgoods from goodwins. I would have loved a berneys as i have a 30 year old one thats like a sofa! But for tricker shaped horses goodwins seems to be the best best

Rips

I love my Berney GP saddle, its 10 years old now and still in great condition.

I just bought another though, the new GP style is straighter cut then old and has smaller kneeblocks, which is truly better for general purpose, as it allows you to have a decent position on the flat also (suits my purposes better than when I bought the first)

However, they've changed the leather and I'm a little disappointed with the quality of the new one compared to the old.

I remember getting my old saddle, the leather was like butter and it melted onto the horse after a few hours riding, this new one is very stiff, the leather is almost rubbery and will take time a lot more time to break in. It seems to be taking little scratches a bit easier too

I've been told they are outsourcing their production now but I don't know if that is true... it would be such a shame if they are.