While I've been keeping my consignment hunt relatively confined to the particular saddle I think I want, a few hours on an airplane led to less focused search and some serious oogling of what can only be considered saddle pornography.
Bliss of London has been making irregular appearances in my horsey life. I've seen a few saddles out at shows and heard a few trainers and fellow riders reference the saddlery, but I've never sat in one, felt one, or done anything more than snoop (stalk) around on their site. Their site might be more indicative of a new Vegas club than a typical saddlery, but it sure is pretty...
 |
| Exactly what I (and my barn) look like in early morning light... |
Usually aggressive design sings to me, but they have a few flap designs that send me right back to my traditional roots. However, aside from a few styling misteps, the Tack Ho in me considers their attention to detail, absurd options and unique styling refreshing.
| Dislike. looks like the saddle got scalped. |
 |
| Like. Subtle but detailed. |
 |
| Also Like |
To me, the price tag must be moderately based on the aesthetics of the brand, but I'm curious to meet someone who actually owns one of these things and find out if it's more than just a really pretty piece of tack (or should I say horse jewelry?)
 |
| It's like they deconstructed a Chanel handbag for that gullet... |
Please tell me someone out there has sat in one and hated it so I can stop thinking about what color my quilted saddle gullet would be...
Ooo never heard of them!
ReplyDeleteNever heard of them either! Pretty details though.
ReplyDeleteI think rhinestones on the gullet would be the ultimate...might as well get a monogram on it, too!
ReplyDeleteRight? I'm sort of a sucker for hidden details.. awesome lining in a purse or jacket gets me every time. I'm less a fan of the more obvious stuff like rhinestones on the cantle, but I do like some of the mixed leather!
DeleteI am apparently boringly traditional, as none of those saddles appealed to me. The rhinestones on the gullet comment made me laugh, though!
ReplyDeleteNever heard of them.. the first saddle freaks me out, totally looks like it's skinned!!!
ReplyDeleteInterested too as to how they ride!! :)
I did not know that quilted gullets and rhinestone'd cantle backs even existed. Now I'm ruined forever.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that first saddle is actually a saddle! Otherwise, they are definitely very different. Unfortunately, I have never heard of them.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the brand but nothing specific. I personally am not a huge fan of the style. Always fun to explore other options though!
ReplyDeleteNever heard of them either. Have to say I'm not a fan of the first one at all, looks to me like a wild animal with claws got at it.
ReplyDeleteHappy hunting to find if anyone has ridden in one of those saddles & indeed happy saddle shopping full stop - after giving myself lovely bruised knees from my dressage saddle on the youngster the last two days I may too be in the saddle market soon - :(
Money eating machines!
Right? I don't like that one either.. Looks noisy and distracting as opposed to subtle and interesting. I guess your leg would cover most of it but still...
DeleteAside from that brown dressage saddle that Cuna probably needs, they don't speak to me.
ReplyDeleteI'll give you that. He does probably need a nubuck, monoflap dressage saddle.
DeleteNone of the saddles actually on their site are what I would choose for my "commissioned piece," but the bevy of options is a bit intoxicating to me :)
I have never heard of these but man it would be fun to customize the detailing on a saddle. Only worth it if the saddle was actually ride-in-able!
ReplyDeleteThese saddles are very unique, but I had never heard of them nor of anyone that owns one. On the other hand, have you heard of Smith Worthington? http://www.smithworthington.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=1&pg=1 Some of Bliss's options reminded me of Smith Worthington. I have sat in the SW saddles (specifically the SW Trainer jumping saddle, and their Ultimate Dressage saddle), and they are AMAZING. These people have been making saddles in the US since the 1800's. They have entirely custom saddles, but they will custom fit any of their current line of saddles to your horse and to you. They have different leather options, though they don't show them on the website. The leather on these saddles is to die for! The photos DO NOT give them justice! It's as nice, if not nicer, than some top of the line Devocoux saddles I've seen.
ReplyDeleteI worked at a tack shop that sold the SW saddles, and we were always ordering custom and semi-custom saddles for our clients. The SW people are very eager to please, and our clients were thrilled with their saddles.
Just another option in your saddle hunt. :)
So, I bought a Loxley by Bliss in December. It's wonderful. I thought the saddle I had before (Black Country) was the bees knees and I had to get a different tree for my horse. Wow, sitting in the Loxley, it's like it was made for me - and it wasn't. It was in the fitter's trailer and happened to be the size and color and flaps I wanted AND fit my horse. win-win. Mine is dark brown with burgundy welting - perfect for hunters as it's subtle and only I'll know it's there :D. I can only imagine the Bliss are even sweeter. I have a post ogling the Bliss and my post about my saddle, both Dec 2013.
ReplyDelete