Thoughts on Crump saddles

[3kidsandahorse]

This is not an ad--yet. :1eye:

As another thread says, I have a dearly-beloved-by-my-behind saddle that either needs repaired or retired to be thrown around by the lesson students. I am going to look at repairing it first.

A friend is selling her Crump saddle. This one is probably fairly old (10 years?) and is made in England. It's in my price range (aka what I generally pay for a saddle :w00t: ) and is in pretty good shape (i've cleaned it up and will help her sell it.)

What level are Crumps--old Blue Ribbon, Whitman, Shively or Borrelli? I haven't sat in it yet to see if I like it, but I just might buy it if mine isn't worth fixing. But I already have enough POC's. :001_rolleyes:

Any advice is welcome.

[mlinky]

It depends, but it is definitely older than 10 years old. I love the old Crumps. I have bought several over the years, but have never paid more than $175 for them.

[snowfool]

I owned an older Crump for awhile and showed in it. I bought it used but the prior owner had taken very good care of it and it looked really good. I sold it four years after purchasing it because I NEVER could quite find the right spot in it. Mine was a very flat seat and I have found I prefer a somewhat deeper seat so it boiled down to a matter of preference for me. I sold it for about $150 more than what I paid for it and at that price, it would be comparable to a good quality older Blue Ribbon. My advice is to ride it a few times if you can, then decide if you really want it. My Crump couldn't hold a candle to the two Whitman's I've owned.

[roadpony]

I had an old Crump - was used in 1975 when I bought it. Kept it for 20 years and loved it. I had the tree repaired once, and it was still going strong. It was a 19" and I finally gave into the fact that I needed a larger saddle. Gave it to my assistant trainer when I bought a new Shively. I think she still uses it as an everyday saddle.

[3kidsandahorse]

It depends, but it is definitely older than 10 years old.

Because it's made in England? I'm confuzzled.

[Renae]

Crumps are of the same quality and similiar in style to a Crosby. At the very newest it would be from the 1980's, I amd pretty sure that was the last time Crump saddle seat saddles were made. As with any saddle made in a pre-adjustable bar/setback bar era you need to make sure the stirrup leathers will hang in a decent spot so that it is not constantly forcing the rider into a chair seat.

[3kidsandahorse]

Thanks, Renae. That was exactly what I needed to know!

I'm surprised that saddles seem to last that long & be in that good a shape. This one must have been covered and stored for years. I cleaned it up, conditioned it, and except for a few minor flaws it's as good as a new one. But I guess as long as you don't take hoofpicks to them, the leather really doesn't wear out!

[katie]

Someone gave me an older Crump two summers ago and I donated it to my instructor. That thing is older than dirt and one of the favorite saddles among the little kids at the barn. :) With love and TLC, those things will last FOREVER!

[ASB_AOT]

You are going to find this hard to believe but I bought my Crump brand new in 1976. I did take a few years off from riding and showing but when I bought a yearling a few years ago I cleaned it up and have used it ever since. I'm not ready to trade it in yet. I still love riding in it. It cleans up like brand new.

[Fetch33]

My old Crump is OK, but the seat is harder than a rock! The leather looks decent though. I think I paid $100 for it a few years ago. I prefer our Blue Ribbon as it is more comfy.

[ASB Stars]

Ah, the nostalgia!:wub:

My Crump was vintage 1972, and can vividly remember when it came to the barn in the box, along with my new double bridle. And I oiled, and I oiled, and that stuff held up forever.

I'd still have the saddle, but it was stolen out of a tackroom in 1982. :cursing:

[Highstep]

We just sold my wifes Crump, she had it for about 20 years or so.
Very nice saddle, wish it had been a little bit bigger and I would be using it now.
She rode hard for about 15 of the 20 years and it was worn, but not broke or worn out.
IMO a very good saddle.

[3kidsandahorse]

I tried this saddle for myself, since it's been hard to sell. Unfortunately, my knee really sticks out in front of the flap, so I cant buy it! I don't know that a 22", if I could ever find one, would be big enough. But it's so comfy otherwise--I felt very secure in it.

Check out extendedtrot for the ad!

[Tack Collector]

Crump is a name. Crump was an importer in Richmond, VA, not a manufacturer. I know there were old Crumps out there back in the '70s, lol. To me, it seems that Crump contracted with various Walsall saddlers over the years for saddle seat saddles, and they changed seat depths and tree widths with the times and fashions. Crumps were made on various trees over what, maybe more than 40 years?

The Crump Crests I've sat on (2, one of which I own) seem a lot like the current Blue Ribbons and are smooth leather w/ adjustable bars and 8 billets. They are a modern show saddle and typical modern tree width. The older Crumps can be narrow to medium trees, flat seat w/ square cantle, mid-deep with square cantle, a kind of mid-deep equitation seat with a flat center and a lower round cantle, or that ski slope deep seat that is almost all steeply sloped cantle like a hunt seat AP (think Collegiate Sr Event). I thought all of those seat types were comfortable except that ski slope one.

There were flat seat square cantle Crumps saddle seat saddles in their catalog through the '90s and maybe as late as 2000 to 2001 or so. There are probably some new ones still sitting in tack shops in 19" and 20" size.

[Tack Collector]

BTW, old flat seat Crumps and Crosbys with (gasp) standard stirrup bars are some of my favorite saddles to ride in. Old Blue Ribbons, too, but the BR line never seemed to have as sturdy a saddle tree. BR had the best fitting & best balanced seats for my seatbones, just not the sturdiest trees for heavy use. Y'll can send me your old out-of-style Crump, Crosbys, and Blue Ribbons. I only fit the 19" and 20", lol.

[3kidsandahorse]

Make it a older 21" barnsby in FANTASTIC SHAPE :drool: and you're on! :tongue_smilie:

[ASB_AOT]

I just bought a 21" used Barnsby in excellent condition and rode in it for the first time. I really think I'm going to prefer my 30 year old Crump. Maybe it just takes a while to get used to a new saddle but I had a hard time figuring out where to sit in it. Has anyone had the same problem with Barnsby?

[Ride2Live]

Maybe it just takes a while to get used to a new saddle but I had a hard time figuring out where to sit in it. Has anyone had the same problem with Barnsby?

Funny that you say that. I was just thinking over the weekend that I had a much easier time getting back in my cheap (and very old) Borelli (that I finally broke the tree on and had to get rid of) than I do in my cushy (and otherwise oh-so-comfortable) Barnsby. I thought it was just my lack of saddle time recently, but maybe you're onto something here.

[chelseab2005]

It seems to me, having 2 Barnsby's myself, that it is a little difficult to get back into position if you don't have adjustable bars. My newer one does and using it for equitation helped. I gripped with my knees and still know just the position to take to sit right in the saddle. Barnsby's are a little tricky to position in, but once you get it you never forget and you fall in love (well, I did at least). Try positioning yourself and then using your knees to keep yourself back there. It takes some getting used to.

[Tack Collector]

Hey 3Kids, I PM'd ya. Somebody call and tell her to check PMs. :-)

[Tack Collector]

As I recall, there must have been some wider Crumps, too. People used them on Morgans. I think there must be a variety of cutback trees with the Crump name on them. I've never seen one with junky leather, though.

[downlaway]

I have a Crump that I have had for about 25 years and bought it used at that time. I showed in it and loved it. It is very comfortable and is still in good condition. They are good saddles that last. I tried a Barnsby and I couldn't get comfortable in it. I finally switched to a newer Whitman a few years ago for showing and I really love the Whitman's.
Stephanie

[3kidsandahorse]

Hey 3Kids, I PM'd ya. Somebody call and tell her to check PMs. :-)

Patience, my dear, patience!

Some of us got a job last month to help pay for horses/kids/food/gas...

:sad:

I PMd you back with a ?

[sdlbredfan]

There is a 21" Crump on eBay now, someone who does not know tack has it, said it came from an estate and they are describing it as 17". Item number is 360094117809, and auction ends Oct 6. There are no bids at the moment, and it looks like some TLC would have it looking spiffy pretty quickly.

[3kidsandahorse]

I tried to type this last night but the computer kept eating it. :glare:

I am open to buying a saddle off ebay or wherever, but I want to be sure that it will fit me this time. :oops: The SLICK Barnsby (no more of those!) I'm too big for came from ebay. So I'll describe myself and my problem and let y'all suggest brands or types to look for.

I'm between 5'7" and 5'8", with a long inseam. I don't know the measurement to my thigh. I have an average or better amount of trunk :) , which I think means that I would do better in a flat seat. These skinny teens can have the deep seats. I have never had adj. bars on any saddle, but I think that would be good only if the saddle is larger than normal, and I figure a 21" is too small. My knee is right at the front of the saddle if it isn't over the front altogether, and I ride with longer than normal stirrups. Isn't your knee supposed to go to the stirrup leather and basically grip around there? However, some taller riders in my barn ride in a 21" just fine.

So I'm debating between a long 21" and a 22". If any longer legged riders out there would like to chimeinhere, I'd appreciate saddle suggestions. Oh yea, I have a budget, so new ones probably won't work. I'm going to hopefully try a 22" MMX this week, and see if it works better for me. If you have suggestions as to how the saddle is supposed to fit, let me know that too.

TIA.

[3kidsandahorse]

Additional info:

I rode in a 22" MMX and I LOVE it. My knee actually ends just in front of the leather, I sit well in it, and I stick to it.

Since 22" MMX's in my price range are rare as honest politicians, is there something else out there that sits similar to an MMX? I figure it will have to be a 22", and I like the grippy leather. So those are the criteria for now...

[mlinky]

Keep your eyes open for a used one. The Shively 2000 is the same tree, but not the sticky leather. You might want to call WCHS and see if they have any that they took in trade.

[3kidsandahorse]

Thx mlinky. I talked to WC's trailer & Lynn both, looking for a used one, but I figure I'm going to have to save for a LLLOOONNNGGG time for a Shively. I was hoping for another option on brands.

Who knew that horse stuff was so dear?

[Tack Collector]

The Barnsby Battaglia that Schneider Saddlery sold and also leased is the same tree as MMX and 2000, but is the "Swiss grained" cowhide that has a grain like buffalo leather. But not the oil or the tendency to stretch. It's grippier than smooth leather or hog print, but not as much as buffalo or MMX. It came in a 22". I'll post a pic of one later. Barnsby discontinued those.

The "pink" color is the older saddles and it's due to a tinted topcoat or paint. You can either dye it, or take denatured alcohol and a pile of rags and wipe it all off. The last of those saddles are a very dark brown, but the leather isn't the same high quality. Older ones have the Wellup adjustable bars with screws and later ones have the slider type. The Wellups are less of a buldge under your leg, take a really wide leather like 1.25", and I think might have a wider range of travel. They are 5-position. The slider type is better if you need to quick-change the position for more than one rider.

8 billets, soft panels. The seat shape changed slightly over the years, just like people will tell you that the Shively 2000 was gradually changed over the years. Some of those trees have a seat that has "corners" that jab me in the seatbones, and a few are actually comfortable.

The '80s and early '90s bridle leather saddles were not so slick. You oiled them and they softened and had some tackiness to them. The late model smooths are really slick.

The regular seat Crump Crest is a little deeper than either the Blue Ribbon or the Barnsby. It might run just a little short, though. 21" is 17" to the cutback and more like 20 3/4 to the nail.

Pics later...

[Tack Collector]

Battaglia 17" to cutback, 20.5" nail to cantle
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/neosho98/battaglia_2.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/neosho98/battaglia_bar.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/neosho98/battaglia_cantle.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/neosho98/battaglia_tree.jpg

[Tack Collector]

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/neosho98/battaglia_1.jpg

Crump Crest 17" to cutback, 20.5" to 20.75" nailhead to cantle
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/neosho98/crump_crest21.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/neosho98/crump_crest21_cantle.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/neosho98/crump_crest21_tree.jpg

[Tack Collector]

Another deeper seat model that I like, same as the other Barnsby round cantle equitation seat saddles: Barnsby LaCroix deep seat, round cantle 21" that measures almost 22" from center of nailhead to cantle.
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/neosho98/LC21_R.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/neosho98/right-2.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/neosho98/bar-2.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/neosho98/left-1.jpg

[3kidsandahorse]

Ive decided that deep seats just wont suit me and my baggage. I do like the looks of your Barnsby Bat, though.

I'm just going to have to suck it up and sell an internal organ or something to be able to afford a 22" MMX. If anyone would like to PM me with another suggestion...

[Ruby1]

A freind of mine just bought a brand new 22" Adjustable Bar Imperial Saddle off eBay and she LOVES it! It comes in a deep seat or a flat seat and she bought the flat seat model.I just saw the saddle today in person,and I was very impressed with the high quality of that saddle to say the least.Her horse has a little bit of a wider back and that saddle sits on her horse perfectly.I think she said she paid $800 for it which I thought was a great price for the quality.The only thing about it is,it has 6 billets instead of 8 billets.But she has been trying out saddle's for the last 7 months trying to find a saddle that fit both her and horse without having to take out a home equity loan to buy a new adjustable bar show saddle lol.I don't know much about the Imperial brand saddle's but I do know they are made in England and the leather quality and stitching is very nice,and it looks like a well built saddle that should last her a long time!!!!!

Does anyone else know of or have an Imperial show saddle????

[Gus0429]

One of the girls who had a SBR booth at the Octoberfest show purchased a used MMX for $985. Can you imagine. Boy did she get a good deal.

[3kidsandahorse]

A freind of mine just bought a brand new 22" Adjustable Bar Imperial Saddle off eBay and she LOVES it! It comes in a deep seat or a flat seat and she bought the flat seat model.I just saw the saddle today in person,and I was very impressed with the high quality of that saddle to say the least.Her horse has a little bit of a wider back and that saddle sits on her horse perfectly.I think she said she paid $800 for it which I thought was a great price for the quality.The only thing about it is,it has 6 billets instead of 8 billets.But she has been trying out saddle's for the last 7 months trying to find a saddle that fit both her and horse without having to take out a home equity loan to buy a new adjustable bar show saddle lol.I don't know much about the Imperial brand saddle's but I do know they are made in England and the leather quality and stitching is very nice,and it looks like a well built saddle that should last her a long time!!!!!

Does anyone else know of or have an Imperial show saddle????


P and S makes/sells them. I just didn't know enough about their quality to even take a chance. Unfortunately, I think you almost have to ride in one to make a decision, and then you're out shipping both ways if you've bought it online or catalog.