Antares monoflaps versus other brands - also Evolution tree and monoflap versus dual?

[vali]

I am venturing into the world of buying another saddle after many years away. I had a couple of custom Antares many years ago (2002-2005) that fit my TBs well, but sold my last one when I bought my Connemara/TB cross mare. She’s a MW/W but with a wide back, and the teardrop shape panels just didn’t do it for her. She needs wide panels and a wide gullet, but does have a moderate wither. I’ve been used a used JRD that is a bit too big for me and wider in the twist than I would like, but it fit her better than anything else I’d tried.

I recently tried a dual flap Antares consignment, and it had the newer DTA wide panels, and it fit her quite beautifully. She jumped really well in it and I felt much closer to the horse, which was something I’d missed since I’d sold my Antares. I felt very secure but also that my leg wanted to get a little in front of me, but I’m not sure if that’s because the seat size was a little too big for me. Antares USA has a used saddle that looks like a very similar saddle except in a mono flap and in a smaller seat, with the Evolution tree. The first saddle may or may not have had the Evolution tree. I’ve never ridden in a mono flap but have always lusted after one since I’m short and would like to have as much leg as possible on the horse. The local saddle shop told me that your leg tends to slide around more with monoflaps and I’ve also heard that the Evolution tree can put your leg a bit further ahead but can be great for big shouldered horses. Any thoughts on both would be welcome, as well as whether there’s been any more problems with trees breaking with Antares. Any other saddles recommended for a short rider with a wider horse? Prestige perhaps?

[flypony74]

I recently purchased an Antares monoflap dressage saddle with the wider DTA panels and LOVE it. This is my second Antares and I have never had a structural issue with one (or any issue). My horse is a lighter draft cross…he’s substantial but a lighter draft cross, with a significant set of withers. He goes better than ever in this saddle and though he is still pretty green, he is using himself better than every and feels much more “swingy” in this saddle, for lack of a better description. I am a shorter rider and both of my saddles are monos…I don’t know if that is dictated more by personal preference or my height, but I like the feel much better than a dual.

Can you take the saddle on trial? That would be the best way to assess if it will work for you and your horse, as everyone has different preferences and fit. Nothing can replace having the opportunity to actually ride in the saddle. Good luck!

[eventer_mi]

Many years ago, I had both a regular Antares and a monoflap; both flaps were the same amount of forward. I LOVED my regular Antares - hated the monoflap. They just didn’t ride the same. Can you try the monoflap? There are so many little ways they can customize these high end saddles that even though you think you’re getting the same thing as what you’ve sat in in the past, you are probably not. Good luck!

Other than that, I have never really found a difference between monoflaps and dual flaps in terms of leg stability, and I have tried/owned a LOT of saddles.

[vali]

Well I’ve had the Antares monoflap for a few days and had a chance to gallop and jump in it, and so far I love it! Going to a 16 1/2 fixed the issue I had with feeling my leg was ahead of me that I had with the 17 inch saddle. I also love the monoflap, I feel like I just think a cue and my mare responds. She’s jumping really well and seems to like both the Evolution tree and the wide panels. The saddle is a tiny bit wide in the wither area, but once I added a sheepskin it was fine. She’s also pretty fit and gets a bit rounder in the winter when we are not competing, so I like to have a little room to accommodate her winter shape.

[Rainier]

I used to ride in the Vega monoflap jump in a 17" and I loved it. It didn’t fit my new horse, so I got a Loxley monoflap jump custom fit for her. Its super comfortable and I feel like its very grippy and my leg doesn’t move around in it. They make a jump version and an eventer version. I think that the eventer version would encourage your leg to be further forward, but since I’m using my saddle for both xc and stadium (well and flatwork right now), I wanted my leg more underneath me!

[Oskar]

I have an Antares monoflap saddle with the evolution tree and I love it!! I cant say enough good things about the saddle quality and fit and my reps have been great to work with.