Leading Event Rider
Helps To Develop New Concept Saddle.
Leading event rider
Gary Parsonage has been instrumental in testing and helping to develop
a revolutionary new saddle in conjunction with Walsall master craftsman,
Frank Baines.
"The Reflex close
contact saddle combines two key features essential for today's rider;
an extremely soft and comfortable seat allowing excellent balance for
the rider and our new extended point system (EXP) that benefits the horse,"
explains Frank.
"The EXP system
creates a larger bearing surface to more evenly distribute the weight
and pressure of the rider across the horses' back, giving more comfort
and freedom for the horse, especially when landing after a jump."
On landing, the combined
weight of the rider and horse is taken on the front legs which then transfers
across the body as the hind legs touch down. By using the EXP system,
the weight of the rider is spread, thus reducing the pressure on the horses
back from the point of the tree by up to four times.
Based on the extremely
popular Elan close contact, the Reflex has been extensively developed
in the USA for the last three years and thoroughly tested by several leading
competitive riders both at home and abroad.
Over the past 12 months,
Reflex prototypes have become part of the tack room furniture at Gary
Parsonage's Leicestershire event yard, who has test ridden all his horses
from novice to advanced in the new saddle.
With his eye on Badminton
and the World Championships in Spain, Gary has already campaigned his
horses on the indoor show jumping circuit, including international event
horse, Just So to sharpen them up for the coming season, where
he has found the balance and comfort of the Reflex an advantage; "The
nature of event riding means I need a saddle that is secure and adaptable
for both riding cross country and show jumping," says Gary.
"The Reflex offers
freedom for the rider to move, which is particularly essential when jumping
a variety of cross country fences, including drops and banks. It is also
flexible enough to cope when faced with a triple of show jumping uprights."
"To train and
compete horses all day long I need a saddle that is comfortable, does
the job well and is fairly universal. The Reflex does that. It also helps
sit the rider in the right position, making it an ideal saddle for riders
competing at any level."
Using only the finest
French calf leather for extra grip and stability in the seat and incorporating
a wider-waisted, open headed tree for added rider comfort, the Reflex
close contact saddle is the ultimate jumping saddle.
http://www.frankbaines-saddlery.com/
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