Can you ride Dressage in a jump saddle?

Yes! My mission is “Dressage for All” and no matter what discipline you choose to ride, Dressage basics will help you and your horse. Regardless of what type of saddle you ride in, your horse should be able to go, stop, turn, and carry their rider in a way that is comfortable for them, and you should feel confident and secure in the saddle.

As you may know, I usually ride in a Dressage saddle, however, in this video, I’m riding in a jump saddle and talking about the key differences between the two saddle styles that are important to keep in mind:

Dressage Saddles:

·       Deeper seat

·       Designed for the rider to sit back and in the saddle

·       Bigger knee roll and longer flap

Jump Saddle:

·       Flatter seat

·       Designed to allow you to get off the horse’s back easily

·       Shorter, more forward flap

Riding in the jump saddle, I definitely notice that I have to focus on my alignment and rider position more than in the Dressage saddle and it is a lot harder to stay sitting back! For all of you that tend to sit too far forward in a jump saddle – now I completely understand! For sure it is possible to ride Dressage in a jump saddle, but it is a lot easier to ride Dressage in a Dressage saddle!

If you are riding Dressage in a jump saddle, make sure that you are clear about your two-point vs. your regular seat and alignment. In the jump saddle, you will have to focus on sitting back and maintaining your correct leg position. There isn’t as much saddle there to help put you in the correct position, so you have to be aware and accountable for where your body is!

Watch the video here where I’m riding in a jump saddle and talking about the differences I feel in all three gaits.

I hope this video helps you if you are riding Dressage in a jump saddle!

Happy Riding!

Amelia