Over the past month, I have been lucky enough to be road testing a set of lovely Bramham XC flaps from WOW Saddles Australia. They are a new addition to Highborne Rockers’ existing WOW Competitor Saddle. I have used a fixed block jumping flap for many years and continue to do so on board Aces High, however I have found that as Rocker’s technique developed, my saddle requirements have also changed. I began to feel the need for a little bit more freedom in front of my knee. Fortunately, the unique WOW modular technology facilitates the replacement of any part of my saddle to achieve a desired outcome in a matter of minutes! They really are a saddle for life and have the scope to satisfy any change in requirements, whether that be a new horse, a different rider or just the natural progression of muscle development, riding ability or technique throughout the course of a combinations career!
The Bramham flaps themselves are unbelievably soft and beautifully crafted. They are allowing me the freedom I have been looking for while maintaining the close contact that I need for my lower leg. As with all the WOW jump flaps, there is also the ability to adjust the angle of the flap dependant on the riders stirrup length and preference for a forward cut.
Highborne Rockers first outing with his new Bramham flaps was Scone CNC 2** in early March where he jumped a superb Showjumping round with plenty of freedom over the fences. We then travelled to Quirindi over Easter to finish the CNC2** with a confident Cross Country run including two separate jumps into water without the hesitation from Sydney. Rocker now heads to Camden Equestriad CIC2** this month, along with his stable mates Aces High and Kitara Veuve.
Aces High has remained consistent in competition recently with a 2nd placing in the EvA 105 at Quirindi. Kitara Veuve has found his feet in the dressage arena since inheriting a WOW Club dressage saddle and produced a sub 50 dressage score at both Scone and Quirindi.
Veuve has also been responsible for testing the limits of the new WOW Supercool Saddlecloths. His exuberance often results in a saturated saddle cloth and a raised body temperature. I have found that even in the heat experienced at both Scone and Quirindi events, the saddlecloths remained dry, although Veuve was sweating normally, and he cooled off and even dried much quicker underneath his saddlecloth. What I love the most about these saddlecloths though, is that they don’t need to go through the washing machine. You simply hose them off if necessary!
I am very grateful to be associated with such an innovative and unique saddle company that really listens to and understands the needs of both riders and performance horses. If you are compromising your performance with a saddle that is inappropriate for either you or your horse, then contact WOW Saddles Australia to discover for yourself the amazing capabilities of this world first modular saddle range.