All Purpose / General Purpose

Saddles:

All purpose saddles are generally used for Forward seat equitation and similar flat classes. Although they are ok for jumping, they are not ideal. They can also be used for lower level dressage, but again are not ideal for either purpose. Higher level eventers will usually own 2 or 3 different saddles to show in. One for stadium jumping, and a dedicated dressage saddle for dressage, and sometimes they will use a different jumping saddle for the Cross Country event phase. Typically, an all purpose saddle will have a straighter flap than a dedicated jumping saddle, so as to interfere less with the horse's shoulder in order to better show off it's gaits. The flap, although straighter, is usually not quite as long and straight as a dedicated dressage saddle and the seat will be not quite as deep as a dressage saddle, yet deeper than a jumping saddle. If you want to show in all of these classes, yet can only afford one saddle, then this is the one to get. The plain flap all purpose saddle also makes a great polo saddle.