Introducing SMART™ Saddles Ambassador - Penny Lawn B.H.S.I.I.

Bramham based event rider, Penny Lawn, trained at the world renowned Yorkshire Riding Centre, home of Olympians, Jane & Christopher Bartle. Penny has competed successfully at 4* level eventing, Advanced level dressage and Foxhunter/1.30m Showjumping. Currently training and competing both home produced horses and horses for clients, alongside training riders at all levels in all disciplines, Penny rides in the SMART™ Pro Dressage and SMART™ Pro Jump saddles.

You can read about Pennys’ eventing season with the SMART™ PRO saddles as it happens …

June 2017

Penny put the SMART™ PRO Jump saddle through its paces for some great British Eventing results including a double clear and placing in the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Qualifier classes.

July 2017

Bold Impulse finished in 6^th place in the Novice section at Aske International Horse Trials
- their first run with the new SMART PRO Dressage and SMART Pro Jump saddles!

 “He felt super!”

"I believe a SMART™ saddle is what everyone should be using!"

 “Following the purchase of my SMART™ GP saddle, I am a huge fan of SMART™ saddles; it is like magic; the way you feel part of the horse when riding, and with such soft leather it feels like you are moulded to the horses back.

Having completed a horse physiotherapy course, I think they are the way forward and believe a SMART™ saddle is perfect for horses with spinal issues; when you look at a horses spinal column, a SMART™ saddle is what everyone should be using. I feel passionate about the science behind the SMART™ saddles and how beneficial they are to supporting injured or difficult-to-fit horses.

Thanks to a friend, I was able to ride in her SMART™ saddle before the Solution Saddles Advisor came to fit to me and my horse at a test ride. Not only did we get on so well, but she had a great understanding of fitting for the welfare of the horse and avoiding back problems.

Thank you Solution Saddles!” 

Suzy Bannon

Lady Beauts wins her class at Derby College Hunter Trial in her SMART™Native Jump saddle.

“Before trying the SMART™ Native Jump saddle, I was sceptical about changing to a treeless saddle, as all those I'd sat in moved and were not suitable for jumping.

However, I had a trial in the SMART™ Native Jump saddle and couldn't believe how comfortable it was; it rode and looked like a traditional treed saddle but was rigid free. All saddles I had tried previously struggled to fit the wide shouldered / flat backed native but this fits like a dream and doesn't move at all.

       

                           

 Beauty is much freer in her shoulders and has not had a single back issue in the five years I've owned the SMART™ Native Jump saddle.

Hopefully, we will have many more years of razzing round cross country courses.”

Karen Dawson & Beauty

SMART Customers review: "Super-pleased with our new SMART™ Pro Dressage saddle"

 

"We are super pleased with our new SMART™ Pro Dressage saddle. The first time we went to a competition with it we came third! At nearly 17 year old, 'Dude' is a little set in his ways but he is moving so much more freely in his new SMART™ Pro Dressage saddle."

Chloe Crossman & 17 year old Dun a Bit

Rebekah is looking forward to stepping up to BE90 ...Video updated April 2018

I can't rave about the SMART™PRO Jump saddle enough. I competed in it for the first time, on my gelding ‘Dante’, at our second ever BE80 at Somerford Park - we came 3rd out of 41 competitors and qualified for the Blue Chip Central North West BE80T Challenge.

After spending the past few years as dressage divas, our return to jumping has been exciting, but my old GP saddle wasn't offering me the security I felt I needed, leading me to look into other options. I knew I wanted a flexible saddle as I believe this offers better freedom for the horse, as well as needing a saddle to fit multiple horses, this led me to Solution Saddles.

Thanks to the excellent customer service, I was able to organise a test ride quickly and noticed an immediate difference in Dante's way of going, as well as how secure and comfortable I felt.

   

The SMART™ PRO Jump saddle has already proven its value many times over in the very short time I've had it; it has made jumping much more enjoyable for me and my horses. I am now optimistic about making the step up to BE90 in the future! 

Update April 2018

 "I have been using SMART saddles for just under 12 months and I have been so impressed with both of my SMART PRO Jump and SMART PRO Dressage saddles; comfortable, secure, and easy to adapt for horse & rider - throw in excellent quality, and lightweight too! 

Since having my SMART PRO Jump saddle, I have gone from nervously attempting BE80 to jumping up to 1.05m at home, and competing in my first BE90 in very little time. 

The saddles are versatile too - my SMART PRO Dressage saddle has been used for hacking & fast work, and even introducing my youngster to jumping. 

I am very glad I made the change to SMART Saddles. I have my first event of the season next weekend so fingers tightly crossed for a good result to kick off with too" ;)

Rebekah Adshead

Katie found her horses jumping improved when she changed to the lightweight SMART saddle

Diamond Purdy at the age of 16.

"She hasn't jumped this well since she was a four year old !! We have only recently converted to a SMART Saddle, I wish I had know about them years ago. They are so lightweight and she is so much more relaxed with this saddle. Her turns and shape over a fence has improved with the extra freedom" :) 👌

Katie Marshall

"What the SMART GP saddle has given me is priceless..."

"I started working with Solution Saddles last year, so I am used to hearing good reports from clients who have tried SMART™ saddles. However, I hadn't tried a SMART™ saddle myself until a few months ago; mainly because my horse Annie, at 22, is mostly retired. She can be tricky to ride unless she is in full work, she always has been and has the ability to make you feel like you can't ride most of the time, hence she has been pretty much out of work for the last few years with the occasional wander out - at walk.

I am an equine podiatrist so I know and understand the many factors that contribute to a horse’s performance. Over the years I've had all the usual things checked for Annie; feet, back, teeth, saddle, bit etc. but all were apparently fine. So, I concluded it must just be her temperament ... without stereotyping her as a chestnut mare. I've had her since she was four, so I’ve had enough time to figure her out, or so I thought. 

After taking a SMART™ saddle for a trimming client to try, I tried it for myself on Annie, for a quick walk round the block, just to see how it felt compared to a normal treed saddle.

It obviously felt different to her. 

From the first ride until now she has been a completely different horse to ride. She is easier now than she was when we were competing. With the SMART™ GP saddle, we can trot on a loose rein, canter on a loose rein, we are jumping again (albeit fallen logs in the forest, but jumping!) and we can walk afterwards without her getting stressed and tense.  Those who know Annie will realise what a true feat this is!

She doesn't toss her head up in transitions. She doesn't get the strange diamond shaped sweat patch on her shoulder. She's not stiff or sore after a ride. She doesn't rush. She doesn't grab at the bit or run through the bridle. And she hasn't done her silly 2 beat bouncy canter that consistently got me marked down in dressage.  She is relaxed.

Honestly, it's the biggest horsey investment I've ever made ... I think it costs more than the horse did 17 years ago!

But what it's given me is priceless.

It's made me fall back in love with riding. 

The SMART™ GP saddle has given Annie and I the chance to make some more memories even though I'd retired her. It has given my youngster the opportunity to have the best start when the time comes to back her.

So whilst I really can't afford to be buying saddles ... I can't afford not to ... 

I owe it to Annie to make her life as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. 

We owe every horse that. 

If only I knew 17 years ago what I know now ... our life together could have been very different.

Better late than never I suppose.

Jenny Parsons
Wild at Hoof – DEP / MEPA

#thankyou #solutionsaddles