GP Saddles

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Stubben - Roxane VSS GP/Jumping Saddle The Stubben Roxane VSS Saddle is designed for horse riders who need the versatility of an all-round saddle but like an emphasis on jumping. A beautiful Havana tone and superb styling gives this horse saddle an air of true elegance. More information>> From: £950 inc. VAT


Stubben - Siegfried VSD GP/Dressage Saddle The Stubben Siegfried VSD is a general purpose saddle which can be used in most types of equestrian activity, although its design emphasises dressage and pleasure riding. It has a longer, less forward flap than the Roxane VSS. More information>> From: £975 inc. VAT


Frank Baines - Eclipse GP Saddle Crafted from fine leather to the very highest standard, the Frank Baines Eclipse GP is an excellent general purpose saddle. It has a high level of comfort, balance and stability, providing a solid base for riding in any discipline. More information>> From: £1000 inc. VAT


Frank Baines - Elite GP/Jumping Saddle The Frank Baines Elite Jumping is a general purpose saddle but with slightly forward-cut flaps that gives it an emphasis on jumping. Made from luxurious leather and filled with fine wool flocking, it offers fantastic balance and superb comfort. More information>> From: £1095 inc. VAT


Kieffer - Garmisch GP Saddle The Kieffer Garmisch saddle is a true GP all-rounder and a brilliant, versatile base saddle that for a variety of equestrian disciplines. A deep seat, stressed thigh rolls and detachable knee rolls give it safety and flexibility. More information>> From: £1038 inc. VAT


Kieffer - Frankfurt GP Saddle '3000 Tree' The Kieffer Frankfurt GP saddle is at the very pinnacle of high specification and refined detailing. Built on the new Kieffer ‘Excellent’ tree, it has a soft padded seat, small knee rolls and an aesthetically-pleasing bent inlay on the saddle flaps. More information>> From: £1164 inc. VAT

General purpose saddles at Dogwood London

A general purpose saddle, which is more commonly abbreviated to the 'GP' saddle, is designed to serve the particular needs of a certain type of horse rider. These riders are looking for a saddle that is not restricted in its use to just one discipline; they want to use their leather saddle for a number of equestrian activities and thus avoid the expenses of purchasing a dedicated discipline saddle, such as one for jumping or dressage.

Riders who typically purchase GP saddles are those that enjoy leisure riding, showing classes or lower level competition. This is down to the individual makeup of the saddle as well as the needs of the rider that is using it.

A GP saddle, whether it is a Kieffer, Stubben or Frank Baines, has certain design elements that ensure it can be used in a multitude of equestrian activities. For example; unlike a jumping saddle whose flap is forward cut, the flap of a GP saddle is far less forward cut which means your leg will not feel out of place in normal length stirrups. Likewise the flap will not be as straight cut as a dressage saddle, so you have room to have your stirrups a bit shorter than you normally would in dressage. These particular design characteristics allow the rider to jump in their saddle one day and then use the same saddle the next day for dressage.

Due to the general purpose saddle’s design specifications it can be seen as a ‘jack of all trades’, a true all rounder of the saddlery world. However, such accolades need to be given with a note of caution, as the phrase ‘jack of all trades’ is often succeeded by the somewhat derogatory term ‘master of none’.

This does by no means place a negative aspect to the multi talented GP, it is to serve as a note of caution that such a saddle should only be used for the purpose that it was crafted for. You should not use a GP saddle for top level jumping because it does not have the security, seat type, forward enough flap and knee and thigh block placements to keep you in the optimum jumping and safety position.

Likewise, it would prove difficult to do high level dressage in a GP saddle because your leg position and the effectiveness of your aids will not be as efficient as it would be in a dressage saddle that was crafted for that exact purpose. Nonetheless, there have been advancements in GP design which mean that you can now purchase models that favour one discipline over another, so you are able to get a better feel of a dedicated discipline saddle whilst still maintaining the flexibility of a all round equestrian saddle.

Stubben, Kieffer and Frank Baines all make general purpose saddles with this emphasis on either dressage or jumping. The Stubben GP saddles have the prefix VSS or VSD, with the former being a general purpose/jumping saddle and the latter a general purpose/dressage saddle. The Roxane VSS and the Siegfried VSD are fine examples of this.

A collection of fine general purpose saddles

For the rider that wants an all round saddle which can be used in a variety of equestrian disciplines, Dogwood London has carefully selected the finest examples for its saddlery collection.

The exquisite collections of Stubben, Frank Baines and Kieffer have been further refined, personally by us, so the hassle has been taken away and you are left with the best of the best.

Once you have browsed through our collection and have decided upon the right saddle for you, then simply fill in the online saddle fitting questionnaire and we can arrange for a specialist fitter to come to you and fit you new saddle.

For more information on the general purpose saddles within the Dogwood saddlery collection please do not hesitate to get in contact by calling 0845 30 10 365.