The metal bits are all zince plated for rust protection (since they aren't forged, they don't have the protective oxide coating so needed something - this is one of the few cheats I am allowing myself).

The fit on Cara is pretty good, the front and back of the saddle fit perfectly so the contact point is near the midline of the plate, though the middle of the plates contacts near the bottom edge, and that will have to be sorted with padding. In a perfect world I would make another set of plates with the perfect twist and bugger the cost, but I am on a deadline - I have a tournament in February that I want to use this at, so I can try it in the situation it was intended for. Even if it doesn't have the final leather covering (another compromise - if I copied the original fabric covering it would survive one or two tournments at best before being ripped up by my armour) by then, it will be usable, and I need a bit of time to try it out and get used to it - things like learning which position to set the stirrups and how to set up the stirrup lengths etc.

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I think the MSN site works, you're just probably going to have to post URLs instead of images. Most sites like that and Anglefire and others tend not to like image links connecting to their sites. Which is probably why it wouldn't work in the IJA board either. When I copied and pasted the link in the address field it took me to MSN and showed the picture.

Or since one of the IJA folks is hosting, you might be able to copy the URL from their site.

The saddle looks very good, but I noticed the same thing Jeff Hedgecock did. It looks like the bars come back a little far on Cara's back and sit very close to her hips.

Jenn

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J

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http://www.worldjousting.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=216&start=0

I have decided, following Jeff Hedgecock's advice, to make the tail follow the lines of the Madrid saddle; this shortens it to where it needs to be anyway, looks more "right", and will improve the stability of the tail end. If only I had thought of that when I was making the plates, there was plenty of material to cut it out without needing to glue bits back on. Oh well.

Since i am new on this forum, let me briefly introduce myself. LetÕs say that i am an active passionate very involved in jousting and fencing. I also own horses well trained for such activities or currently in training.

Most of our displays revolve around tounaments recreation presented via Equus, a company i created presenting historical equestrian shows that, here in Quˇbec, stands alone in its field.

I jut had a look at the pics of your HV sadlle. Oustanding work so far. I just canÕt wait (like yourself, i guess) to see it finished. In the meantime, i wonder how the girth will be attached.

By the way, i too am in the process of designing a new sadlle for myself that could be used in tournaments as in war reenactment. Someting around 1460 in style. Any suggestions would be very welcome.

Today I rode the saddle for the very first time, nothing adventurous, just getting a feel for it (and the saddle pads need final adjustment for the best fit). After all these months it was strange to finally sit in it, on a horse - no longer a research or construction project, but a working saddle.

If you check out the IJA forum in the next few days, photos should be appearing.

The girth is currently two 1" straps each side that attach to a modern girth; these are glued and tacked, hopefully strongly enough to hold for now. In a while I will replace them with the correct, 1.5" wide straps and a custom made girth (because nobody uses 1.5" straps these days!). The original straps are quite trick: Each strap is two strips of leather, one attached inside the side plate and one outside, glued and tacked in place. Where they join past the edge of the plate, they are stitched together, to make a strap about 5mm thick, which also pulls evenly on the plate.

First impressions? It is odd, riding a 15.2 horse that now feels about 17hh, but without the head and neck right in front of me. Even though the padding isn't quite sorted and the saddle could move a bit, it felt quite stable. I tried the stirrups in both the back and forward positions on the stirrup iron; as expected, in the rear position I got a very upright stance that felt quite balanced, and in the forward position my feet moved forward a good 25cm and my bum pushed back into the cantle, to create a good brida seat for lance use. Very little feel of her back due my bum and thighs being off her now, and my leg aids may be less effective too, due to the contact area of my calves now being higher up and further back, so I may need to rely on neck reining and mouth contact more.

Thanks for the quick response. I agree that it must be quite odd to ride so far from the back of your horse. I guess you feel a bit like a Touareg on is camel. After you have mastered the seat differences (especially in sharp turns), you most certainly will enjoy a very confortable ride, for jousting in particular.

Maybe i should consider having this type of saddle. Since Gibraltar my ĒdestrierČ is already well over 17 hands, i woud end up towering way above my opponents. This could give me an imparable advantage if i dont pass out from lack of oxygen first, of course.

Meanwile, letÕs see these photos.

the saddle that Peter is constructing is early 15th century (1420s max) and is too early for 1460s impression.

You might consider something like this:

c. 1480s, which is a little late, but this style is seen from early to late 15th century. It is of Austrian provenance.

There is also one that Jeff Hedgecock built a few years back which can be seen on their web site:
http://www.historicenterprises.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=247&c=46

Cheers,

Jenn

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When i say that i consider something like the HV for my next saddle, i am kidding bien s˛r. Even though Peter Lyon is doing a truly magnificent job on is reconstruction, it is not the period i am looking for.

The picture you posted is interesting but i would prefer something sturdier. In fact, what i need is kind of an hybrid between a tounament and a war saddle. I already had Jeff HedgecockÕs work as a reference and started from there to design someting solid but not too heavy, wich can be used on two of my horses.

As i will soon try to post some drawings, further comments would be appreciated.

Jenn

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Jenn

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Jenn

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Is this the book your talking about? If so, itÕs available already. I am waiting for the copy i ordered on Amazon.

As for the ĒropeČ it sounds like a good idea. We often saw a horse stop in itÕs tracks after itÕ rider has been struck by a lance. The mount then sometimes keep the habit of stopping or slowing when itÕs passing by another jouster, out of fear of being pulled back violently.

Not showing as available through UK either. Releases indicate a broad hit between January 18 - February 2006.

I have it on order too, but so far it has yet to materialize.

J

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Sorry for hijacking your thread Peter.

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HeresÕ a sketch of what i have in mind. I think it should translante into a tough, stable and XV looking saddle witch could be used on two quite different horses.
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/8061/sellexve3bz.jpg

Actually, i inspired myself from various enluminures, Jeff HedgecockÕs work and some Viollet LeducÕs drawings.

I do joust and i also do different sorts of riding ability challenges. I agree that the front plate is a bit narrow, but i need to sacrifice some protection in favor of space for reins handeling. Even though It woud be nice to have two or three different saddles, i have to settle for a kind of hybrid. Anyway, most of our activities (riding skills, melˇe, cavalry charge, joust, etc.) are presented in public and leave us with little or no time to switch harnesses.
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/7454/joute4xv.jpg

I intend to ad the cantle braces but i have not worked them out yet.

Thanks for the comments.
Ė bient™t
Steve