Choosing equestrian saddles & pads means balancing a defined setup against a narrowly described jumping saddle. The Bates Caprilli and Cliff Barnsby options are both close-contact choices, but their listed sizes, configurations, and prices point to different priorities. The decision is simple: decide whether the Bates package details matter more to you than the Cliff Barnsby's specific English jump format and lower listed price.
Quick verdict
Bates Caprilli is the configuration-led choice when included equipment and a clearly specified setup matter. Cliff Barnsby is the fit-profile-led choice when an English close-contact jump saddle with a stated Medium Tree is the starting point. The listed prices are $1,650 and $350 respectively, a $1,300 spread; choose based on which details you actually need rather than treating the higher figure as an automatic advantage.
Side-by-side comparison
| Saddle | Listed price | Color | Condition | Size / format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bates Caprilli Close Contact | USD 1,650.00 | Brown | Used | 18 in / close contact |
| Cliff Barnsby English Close-Contact Jump Saddle | USD 350.00 | Brown | Used | 16.5 in / jumping-close contact, Medium Tree |
Where each saddle wins
Bates Caprilli wins for a buyer who wants a stated package that includes stirrups and leathers. That detail can matter when the shopper wants the included equipment to be part of the purchase rather than choosing a saddle in isolation.
Cliff Barnsby wins for shoppers specifically seeking the English Close Contact Jump wording and suede trim. Those details keep the choice anchored to a defined riding format and finish, without assuming that either saddle is universally suitable.
Product notes
Bates Caprilli Close Contact
The Bates Caprilli is aimed at the rider who wants a clearly specified setup. Its monoflap feature and Easy Change Gullet System give a concrete reason to choose it: the configuration is named rather than left general. The listing also includes stirrups and leathers, which suits a shopper looking for that stated package. The limitation is the listed 18-inch size; it sets a specific starting point and will not suit someone deliberately shopping for a smaller 16.5-inch format. Brown is the listed color, and the item is described as used, so the decision should stay focused on the configuration and size rather than assumptions about condition. If those details match the plan, Bates is the more direct setup-first match.
Cliff Barnsby English Close-Contact Jump Saddle
Cliff Barnsby is a fit-context choice. Its description calls the saddle comfortable and says it fit a flat-backed horse particularly well, giving a concrete reason to choose it when that profile matches the intended horse. The limitation is explicit: a horse with a significantly bigger, more muscled shoulder is said to experience pinching with the saddle now. That caveat makes the earlier fit description useful context, not a universal promise. For a shopper whose horse matches the stated profile, this is a more targeted choice than a generic close-contact search; for a different shoulder profile, the description itself gives reason to be cautious.
Final choice by use case
For a setup-first rider who wants the Bates monoflap and Easy Change Gullet System, choose Bates Caprilli. For a shopper prioritizing the Cliff Barnsby's flat-backed fit context, choose Cliff Barnsby. If the lower listed price is decisive, Cliff is the straightforward pick; if the Bates-specific configuration is the point of the purchase, its higher listed price is easier to justify. In short, Bates suits a configuration-led decision, while Cliff Barnsby suits a more targeted fit-profile decision.
