Saddle Review: Antares dressage

SADDLE REVIEW

Antares dressage

Antares Sellier was founded in 2000 and has successfully risen to be among the best saddle makers in France.

When it comes to owning mares everyone has an opinion – ‘too hormonal’ some say; others declare: ‘I’d never ride anything else’. ‘Tell a gelding but ask a mare’ is an oft-repeated saying and, from American folklore, there’s a fanciful suggestion that if you meet a man who only rides mares – marry him!

Christina Gledhill has four horses and all are mares who she loves unreservedly. “When the two older ones were pregnant I really wanted fillies – and that’s what I got,” she says from her home on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. “And these younger ones [Indy and Foxy] have now reached the age when I can begin taking them out.” The youngsters share the same saddle – an Antares which Christina recently purchased through The Saddle Hub.

With all the mares agisted five minutes from her home, Christina is able to tend to them daily while working full time in stroke rehabilitation as an occupational therapist.

Up until her early twenties she was eventing and then moved into dressage. “In recent months I’ve been doing some little comps at Boneo Park which is an absolutely beautiful facility. I’ve also been going there when grooming for GP dressage rider, Holly Cutler.”

Helping her with schooling is trainer Greer Moloney. “We have a good working relationship which certainly makes a difference. We’re taking things slowly. The mares are now both seven and have the potential to be a couple of very nice horses,” predicts Christina, adding that Indy was by Fuerstenball, Danish Warmblood Stallion of the Year in 2018. “Her mother is by RegardezMoi. Foxy is by Fiderstern who stood at Bloomfield Farm. Sadly, he was put down earlier this year after sustaining a serious fracture. Her mother is an Anglo-Arab, now aged 27, who was a 1* eventer before moving to medium dressage. Indy’s like a good-natured puppy and Foxy picks up things very quickly. They’re like chalk and cheese but they both have lovely natures and are good in the paddock.”

She avoids using gadgets and gimmicks in her training. “Foxy has a French link D-ring snaffle and Indy a Neue Schule turtle top. As the horses matured they outgrew their Prestige saddle. I tried a Childeric which was fine for them but disagreed with me.” Then she borrowed a friend’s Antares which fitted the bill. “The young mares are similar in shape, plus it was comfortable for me, so I contacted The Saddle Hub.”

Christina had heard about them on social media and found dealing with them was simple and straightforward. “I was especially attracted to their 14-day trial period,” she adds.

By the way, Antares is a bright star 600 light years from Earth – The Saddle Hub is so much closer! Plus, they have a wide variety of top quality second hand saddles. All saddles come with a two-week trial, finance options, and a courier right to your door. Terms and conditions apply.