>>> Just goes to show, doesn't it? http://www.ascotsaddles.com/ Based in >>> Camberley, >>> Surrey, UK.
Is that the same "Ascot"? I don't see the same saddles on their site as I see on ebay. Beyond that, the key words would be "based in" the UK. Where are they made? I know that the Duett saddles were at first promoted rather vaguely as imported from a Germany company - I can't remember the exact wording now. However, the saddles themselves were made in one of the "third world" leather producing countries, even though it sounded like at first that they were made in Germany, and no one ever answered me what role the German company had in their design or manufacture. I THINK they are made in Argentina, but I'm not sure. There has been some controversy about the Barefoot saddles (treeless) because they are advertised as German saddles, but I believe they are actually made in Pakistan. Does it really matter? Maybe not, but I like to know the facts and not be misled by clever phrasing. I just find it ironic that some of the Barefoot dealers are bristling over some of the cheap "Pakistani made" knock offs of the Barefoot styles, when apparently their saddles are made in the same country. (It's particularly ironic to me since I think the Barefoot designs are knock-offs of the Torsion/Tuend styles...) Right now, I know that the Bob Marshalls are still made in the USA, and I believe that Dana still has the Sensations made by crafsmen in Canada - and she may even still make a few herself? (Initially, she handmade all her saddles.) Wintecs are designed by an Australian company, but I believe they are now manufactured by subcontractors across the world...? Twenty years ago, it was a safe bet that a saddle made in England or Germany would show good leather and good craftsmanship, but now we have to ask a lot of questions, and take nothing for granted. I'd be willing to bet that my Ascot was made in India or Pakistan - my saddler saw particular clues in its construction that made her think that, rather than from, for instance, Argentina. It's a decent quality saddle (if it just FIT some of my horses) but you might legitimately accuse me of supporting third world sweat shops if I promoted it. I don't have a strong political agenda on this topic, but if you do have strong feelings on this topic, be sure to ask lots of questions! Karen Thomas, NC
