Monarch Cob GP vs GFS Transition Cob - Which One is the Best Option for Your Cob?
As a horse rider, choosing the right saddle for your horse is crucial to ensure both of your comfort and performance. Two prominent contenders, the Monarch Cob GP and the GFS Transition Cob saddle, are specifically designed to meet the unique requirements of Cob breeds, offering exceptional support and comfort. In this blog, we’re going to take a closer look into the distinctive features of each saddle to help you make an informed decision based on your horse’s build and your riding preferences.
Monarch Cob GP Saddle
The Monarch Cob GP saddle has been crafted to accommodate the unique conformation and build of Cob breeds. With a focus on providing superior comfort and support, this saddle boasts a well-balanced seat and thoughtful design elements that promote a harmonious riding experience. The Monarch Cob saddle is engineered to distribute weight evenly, ensuring optimal weight-bearing surface and stability for your Cob. Its tailored features and accommodating design make it an ideal choice for riders seeking a saddle that perfectly complements the Cob breed’s distinctive build, allowing for unrestricted movement and comfortable rides across various terrains.
The channel through the middle of the saddle offers clearance on either side of the spine, especially suited to a wider horse, and the panel is designed to be slightly straighter allowing for a broader shoulder.
Monarch Cob GP Features
- X-change Gullet System - which enables you to change the width of the saddle as your horse changes shape throughout the year, and throughout their lifetime. This saddle accommodates Narrow to 4XW gullet bars.
- X-change Girthing Option - various girthing options enable your fitter to achieve a precise fit on your horse, utilising point and balance straps where required.
- Polymer Synthetic Web Strained Saddle Tree - allowing slight flex in the tree, meaning the saddle works with your horses natural movement.
- Front Gusset to enable fit adjustment
- Velcro knee and calf blocks - which can be positioned to suit you as the rider
- Thick padded knee roll - for ultimate rider comfort
- Straighter panel designed for larger shoulders
- Closer contact panel - which is great for wide horses
- Comfortable and balanced seat - to help you make the most of your GP saddle
- Dual flap
The Monarch Cob GP saddle is an adjustable gullet saddle and gullet bars are available from Narrow to 4XW and you can get yours here.
Our Opinion
The Monarch Cob GP is a fantastic adjustable gullet Cob GP saddle offering the horse and rider comfort, and with an adjustable gullet so the width can easily be altered if the horse changes shape. The GFS Monarch Cob is one of our favourites here at The Saddle Bank, as it works really well on super wide types, as it adjusts up to 4XW.
Why not trial a Monarch Cob GP saddle today?
GFS Transition Cob Saddle
The GFS Transition Cob saddle suits the slightly more experienced rider who wants a comfortable all-round saddle, designed with Cobs in mind. This saddle has been engineered to optimise rider and horse comfort, incorporating innovative elements, such as the X-change gullet system, X-change girthing option, and GFS’ polymer synthetic web strained saddle tree. These elements help to promote balance, stability, and communication with horse and rider. The GFS Transition Cob saddle’s thoughtful construction and versatile design make it a preferred option among riders looking for a saddle that seamlessly adapts to the unique needs of Cob breeds, facilitating smooth transitions and precise movements during various equestrian activities. With its emphasis on comfort, support, and adaptability, the GFS Transition Cob saddle is an excellent choice for riders seeking an optimal riding experience with their Cob companions.
GFS Transition Cob Features
- X-change Gullet System - which enables you to change the width of the saddle as your horse changes shape throughout the year, and throughout their lifetime. This saddle accommodates Narrow to 4XW gullet bars.
- Siliconised Wool Flock - which is much lower maintenance than traditional wool flocked saddles, therefore saving you money on reflocks. It is also much softer than traditional wool, which prevents it from balling up or creating hard lumps which is much more comfortable for your horse.
- X-change Girthing Option - various girthing options enable your fitter to achieve a precise fit on your horse, utilising point and balance straps where required.
- Polymer Synthetic Web Strained Saddle Tree - allowing slight flex in the tree, meaning the saddle works with your horses natural movement.
- Front Gusset to enable fit adjustment
- Velcro knee and calf blocks - customised to suit the riders leg length with an option of a bigger or smaller block. These sit below the flap with a contoured moulded knee.
- Thick padded knee rolls - for ultimate rider comfort.
- Finest double-stitched calfskin - offering a luxurious feel and enhancing grip.
The GFS Transition Cob saddle is an adjustable gullet saddle (X-change Gullet System) and gullet bars are available from Narrow to 4XW and you can get yours here.
Our Opinion
The GFS Transition Cob GP saddle is a super, adjustable general purpose saddle designed for wider, cobbler types, suitable for both at home use and competitions. This is a fantastic choice for someone looking for a quality, adjustable Cob GP saddle.
Why not trial a GFS Transition Cob saddle today?
Monarch Cob GP vs GFS Transition Cob Saddle - Which one is for you?
Choosing between the Monarch Cob and the GFS Transition Cob saddle relies on understanding your Cob's specific build and requirements, as well as your personal riding preferences. The Monarch Cob is a simpler design, whereas the GFS Transition Cob has a bit more detailing, and more luxurious feel, hence the price point of each. Both of these saddles have been created with Cobs and riders in mind, and therefore both offer the same adjustability in terms of width and girthing arrangements. The GFS Transition Cob saddle also has the extra feature of moulded knee blocks, which gives the rider a little bit of extra comfort in the saddle, but again, gives the GFS Transition Cob saddle the slightly higher price point.
Ultimately, the difference between the Monarch Cob GP and the GFS Transition Cob saddle comes down to budget, and detailing preference. Both saddles are extremely popular for Cob owners, and we have a variety of each in stock on a regular basis, both new and used, black or brown colour preferences.
