Lynnda Scears has owned Classic Saddlery Ltd. in Michigan since 1976 and she boasts more than 30 years of saddle fitting and repair expertise. In addition to fitting and repairs, www.classicsaddlery.com specializes in quality English saddles, tack and apparel that fit at reasonable prices.
Getting her start in the saddle industry, Lynnda traveled throughout Europe and spent time with all the major saddle makers including Kieffer, Passier, Stubben, Barnsby and more. She’s also designed saddles for Rembrandt. Lynnda prides herself on giving people the straight scoop on “why their stuff works or not,” she says. With so much experience, Lynnda can identify problem areas simply by looking at a photo of the saddle on the horse. Then the owner ships the saddle to Lynnda for adjustments.
The Classic Saddlery approach is to try to repair the existing saddle to fit the horse, rather than pushing owners toward buying a new saddle. Lynnda explains saddle fitting in easy to understand language. “I can fix the problem with your existing saddle,” she explains.
In addition to saddle fitting, Classic Saddlery offers expert saddle stuffing, new billets and point billets, adding or subtracting knee rolls and thigh blocks, and customized bridle-work and repairs including broken reins, cheek pieces, leather leads and halters.
Additionally, Lynnda sells the Classic Saddle, designed and tested in Holland. The new AVB adjustable mechanism will fit any horse from the narrowest to the widest and is completely adjustable. Broad backed horses with high withers and insufficient muscle tone to support a saddle may temporarily need a cushion, half-pad or gel pad until the horse matures and develops.
Unlike many other saddle brands, every Classic Saddle style is built on a totally different tree. The rise from seat bones to pubic bone in a dressage saddle is what supports the upper body of the rider, which in turn, allows the leg to hang in a comfortable and effective position. To accommodate different body builds, the rise in each Classic Saddle is different. The Ana and the Victor have a very slow rise for the rider with a flatter pelvic floor, the Vivian rises more quickly and is the most versatile of all their dressage saddles. “Most riders find this a very comfortable saddle,” Lynnda adds. The Vega and Select are suited for the rider with a tilted pelvic floor (these saddles work for riders who find most dressage saddles “wide” in the twist).
Classic Saddles features wool stuffed panels that can be custom stuffed to fit difficult horses and conform to the horse and provide a comfortable fit. Flair air panels are also available by special order.
Lynnda likens the spine of the horse to that of a fish swimming and points out that a wide gullet will not impinge on that movement. The open pommel will not pinch those muscles necessary to lift the base of the neck in dressage and over a fence.
In addition to a vast inventory of tack and apparel, the Classic Saddlery website had a selection of close-out offerings available at the time of publication. These included horse clothing clearance of a dozen winter blankets, Courbette and Vespucci bridles, and other tack and apparel offerings. The website also has a consignment section offering Kieffer and Passier dressage saddles.
For expert help with all english riding needs, contact the knowledgeable staff of Classic Saddlery at 800-428-6080, lynnda@classicsaddlery.com or www.classicsaddlery.com.