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  Discussion on 5 months 'n still waiting! - and *new* saddle fit after weight loss
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Posted on Friday, Aug 9, 2002 - 4:36 pm:

Hello and help please...

I am having a VERY frustrating experience trying to get my old dressage saddle (in for repairs since Dec. 2001) and my new dressage saddle (on order since March 2002) from Rick’s Heritage Saddlery in Downingtown, PA. Finally, after many, many calls to them over many months, my patience has run out and I had to tell them I was going to file a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Starting today, I have gotten through to the store manager and may get some action. After some checking, she told me that it appears that my saddle order may have 'gotten lost' at the factory. They may have to re-order. She will know more next week and promised to call me. Some questions for you.

I ordered a Passier Anteres (sp?) 17.5 inch seat with 16” flaps (yes, I’m short), in a wide tree (yikes, yes – I ride a big boy).

Since the time I ordered (3/02), I have lost about 35 lbs and plan (over the next year) to lose another 20 lbs. For those of you ‘in the know’ on saddle fit – should I be refitted for the saddle before re-ordering? Or, should I even press my advantage with the store (since they have really messed things up) to CANCEL the order (if it did go through) so I can be refitted? It wasn’t an issue before now because I knew the saddle was custom order and I would just have to take it, fit on no. Now, I’m not sure which way to go.

The reason I’m not sure a re-fit necessary is because I have been riding school horses in a variety of saddles over the past few months (some 17.5" seats), and they seem to fit me fine (except the flaps are too long). I’m wondering if (while it is nice to be thinner and wear smaller breeches and be less for my horse to carry) my seat size (as far as saddles goes) isn’t really going to change all that much.

Any advice, whether on saddle fit or dealing with Rick’s Heritage in general, is welcome.

Thanks,
Mary

Posted on Monday, Aug 12, 2002 - 5:19 pm:

Mary,
I can't respond to your questions on saddle fit but can relate my experiences with Rick's Heritage. Three ladies at my boarding farm (including myself) have ordered saddles from Rick's - two used and one new. None were custom made. We all received our saddles in record time (less than 5 days) and the service was absolutely wonderful - one lady returned hers for another size. It is too bad you have had a problem as our experience with Rick's has been nothing less than wonderful. I certainly hope they do everything they can to make it up to you.
Jessie

Posted on Monday, Aug 12, 2002 - 6:17 pm:

Jessie,

Thanks for responding and I'm glad you had a good experience. Waiting months on end for a saddle, when they have also had my old one in for repairs since December 01, is certainly no fun.

I can understand that mistake happen, orders get messed up from time to time. What I have much less tolerance for is the fact that through all of my phone calls where employees promised to look into it, they were bascially just not telling me the truth. If any one of the half dozen people I talked to had checked into it, they would have discovered in June that the saddle order had been mislaid. That is hard to take, especially considering the dollar figure I am spending.

Regards,
Mary
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