Adjusting to Prestige?

[Chestnut24]

Hi Everyone,

I’ve been reading the Forum for years and now I am looking for feedback on the topic of a new Prestige saddle!

I switched from CWD (which I loved, but pinched pony at shoulders) to Prestige Meredith and am having trouble to adjust!

It is size 16 and as those are really hard to find second hand, I ordered it new. It measures 16.5, just like my CWD, but I find the leather flaps kind of stiff and haven’t yet (after 3 rides) felt balanced or happy in it. My leg feels so different, which maybe has to do that there is more flap with Prestige and the leather is not worn in yet. The saddle seems to fit pony well, except tendency to slide slightly forward (unfortunately like any saddle on said pony). If this continues, I will definitely have the saddler out.

Has anyone gone through a similar process (French saddle to Prestige, or just having a stiff-feeling new Prestige) and grown happy with time? So many people seem very happy with the Meredith, did you love it from the get go?

I am about 5’ 2“ and usually fit fine in 16.5 saddles.

Thanks a lot!

[Scribbler]

@Chestnut24

Hi Everyone,

I’ve been reading the Forum for years and now I am looking for feedback on the topic of a new Prestige saddle!

I switched from CWD (which I loved, but pinched pony at shoulders) to Prestige Meredith and am having trouble to adjust!

It is size 16 and as those are really hard to find second hand, I ordered it new. It measures 16.5, just like my CWD, but I find the leather flaps kind of stiff and haven’t yet (after 3 rides) felt balanced or happy in it. My leg feels so different, which maybe has to do that there is more flap with Prestige and the leather is not worn in yet. The saddle seems to fit pony well, except tendency to slide slightly forward (unfortunately like any saddle on said pony). If this continues, I will definitely have the saddler out.

Has anyone gone through a similar process (French saddle to Prestige, or just having a stiff-feeling new Prestige) and grown happy with time? So many people seem very happy with the Meredith, did you love it from the get go?

I am about 5’ 2“ and usually fit fine in 16.5 saddles.

Thanks a lot!

There is so much more to saddle fit than seat size. There’s depth of seat and where the center of gravity puts you, and where the stirrup bars sit, as well as flap length and angle and knee blocks.

If you put the 2 saddles side by side how different are the profiles?

If the saddle is slipping forward is it due to a forwards girth groove on the horse? In this case an anatomical shaped girth can help.

[Warmblood1]

You can contact Prestige and send them a picture of you sitting in your Prestige saddle. They can then look at how the saddle fits you and make recommendations from there. You can also do this prior to purchasing a Prestige to find out exactly what type of saddle/seat size/type of flap you need.

Some of their leg flaps are thicker and less supple than a lot of high quality French leather. However, that shouldn’t effect how the saddle fits at all. The advantage of the thicker, less supple leather is that is can be a bit more hardy, durable and lasting. I have a 2008 Prestige that still looks new due to the more durable leather flaps (the seat is calf skin).

[Chestnut24]

Thanks, guys…

Today I felt a bit more balanced in the saddle, though it really is a different feel than the CWD.
And my back is a bit tweaked out afterwards.

Pony moves very freely through the shoulder though!

Has anyone else experienced a ‘transition’ between a French saddle to Prestige?
I don’t want to give up too soon…

Indeed the girth lies very forward, almost behind pony’s elbow, partly because of her pony belly.
Will look for an anatomical girth to give a try.

[Scribbler]

@Chestnut24

Thanks, guys…

Today I felt a bit more balanced in the saddle, though it really is a different feel than the CWD.
And my back is a bit tweaked out afterwards.

Pony moves very freely through the shoulder though!

Has anyone else experienced a ‘transition’ between a French saddle to Prestige?
I don’t want to give up too soon…

Indeed the girth lies very forward, almost behind pony’s elbow, partly because of her pony belly.
Will look for an anatomical girth to give a try.

I’ve had back pain from riding in a dressage saddle that was too small and my pelvis couldn’t move at canter. Jump saddles you can get out of the tack a bit.

I expect it’s not the specify transition from French foam to wool flock but between one fit and another.

[Jealoushe]

I’m also 5’2 and personally I hate riding in Prestige. I sucked it up for a while because my old horse only seemed to fit in them in that budget. Eventually we went to a butet. It felt bulky, hard to stay in position in. Couldn’t get balanced or get my leg on. Sounds similar to how you feel. Sorry I don’t have better advice.

[Chestnut24]

Thanks a lot for the comments!

A little update, in case it helps someone in the future:

In the meantime, I compared saddle sizes and shapes and the Prestige is definitely not smaller than my 16.5 CWD, in fact, it is bigger. I rode two days ago in the CWD and felt like the world was in order again - but - I noticed my position had improved since I last rode in it!

So today I rode again in the Prestige and realized I am sitting more solidly, and start to get used to more ‘bulk’. Felt all together balanced and pony went well.

My general feeling after a week: CWD to Prestige is a big transition in feeling. If you get a new Prestige, expect it to feel awkward and stiff but give it a little time before freaking out. I don’t anticipate I will love it like CWD, but since pony goes well and my position seems to benefit, I will stick with it.

Happy holidays!