So which is better if I wanted to compete?
I personally prefer light or medium, but you won't have points docked for dark oil. I think I see more light/medium oil saddles than dark, but that doesn't mean you have to have one. In fact, I went to a big AQHA show in December and counted about five black show saddles in one of the big WP classes, which surprised me.
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Use what looks best with your horse.
Source(s):
I do WP (AQHA and open)
In APHA you only see light and medium oil saddles and bridles. The headstalls and reins do not have to match the saddle and often don't. You should not get points off for using dark tack, but it is frowned upon. AQHA is a little looser about the dark oil but it's not used much. I've seen one person use it and it was very high quality tack. It looked good because it was on a gray. I would go for medium oil (like light but not as light as you can get) because it looks good on any color. It is in style and really won't go out. The dark oil is really more of an Arabian thing.
Good job for ignoring the haters and going for pleasure. I've been showing it for about 10 years and I love it too. It keeps getting better. Don't always stick with the fads. If you think something is cool then maybe you will start a trend. I wouldn't rock the boat at the national level unless you have a "name" in the industry, but at your state level shows you could start the dark tack back in. Good luck finding a saddle!
Source(s):
12 years riding/showing AQHA and APHA horses in local, 4-H, AQHA, and APHA shows. Competed in Hippology and Horse Bowl for 6 years. 2008 national champions Hippology team problem section. 2009 national Horse Bowl champions. 3rd place individual overall nationally, top individual in the state.
at AQHA shows you will see about 95% of people with light saddles, its more popular, and people just like it better, you will see a few people, like Ali Papendick that have dark saddles, but not many do.
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harris leather, blue ribbon tack, bob's custom saddles, and kathy's saddles are all really popular on the circuit. go to shows and see what people are wearing, and what tack people are using, go talk to a local trainer and get some help/advice also.
ali-
http://siteexec.aqha.com/bin/v/r/western…typical show saddles-
http://harrisleather.com/shop/custom-sad…http://www.harrisleather.com/shop/custom…http://www.blueribbontack.com/Instockpic…http://www.aqhamembers.com/cgi-bin/WebCo… pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com EDIT-
