Antares Signature “semi custom” Saddle

[fivestrideline]

I did a search but didn’t find a ton: does anyone have experience with the Signature series by Antares? This appears to be a semi-custom saddle (flap, tree width, wool and foam flocking options), and while I’m not dazzled by the name brand, I do like the Antares I have sat in.

I’m curious what tree is in these, and what shape that tree generally fits? Straight/curvy/etc? I’m looking on my local fitter’s site and I don’t see anything about the tree stamp for the widths and shape (just options like N, M, W, XW). I’d call and ask but I’m not actually shopping and hate tire kicking.

I WILL be shopping at some point, but I don’t actually know what shape the horse is (he hasn’t yet arrived), so I’ve been killing time by looking at options at the tack shops around here. With any luck, my TC or Pessoa will fit, but who can count on that?

[Tha_Ridge]

I am bringing them into my tack store late January for all the reasons you have mentioned. They are an excellent price point with many customizable options and I really liked the balance of the one I sat in.

Regarding trees, there are four different arches, from narrowest to widest: AF1 (25.5 cm), AN (26.5 cm), AO1 (27.5cm), and AO2 (28.5cm). Those measurements are from tree point to tree point. My Antares sales manager says most horses will work in the AN and she recommends the wool/foam combo for flocking.

[fivestrideline]

Did you get any idea of the straightness or curve of the tree? I’m also guessing the Signature will have a wide channel like most of the modern French and French adjacent saddles.

[blondewithchrome]

I had one of these (the “Skylla” model) with the standard tree (AN) which fit basically any warmblood I had it on, with shims here and there. Very good quality for the price. I would definitely recommend trying it for the French quality without the 6k+ fully custom new price tag mine is on consignment now and I know they tend to not sit for too long, so I think they’re pretty popular!

[LazyA1]

I ordered one but it was too big for me. Not the saddle’s fault, I let someone talk me into a bigger seat size. I really liked it. Very nice quality. I had ridden in it a few times and could not return it, but I put up a Facebook ad and it was sold in a day for what I paid for it.

It’s grain leather, but honesly I prefer the grain leather. Grain leather takes oil well. I only buy from re-sellers (I have a saddle for each of my 4 horses), and I do not like the 2-ply ultra-pricey saddles. Why pay for that when they end up being wrinkly. And calf does not take oil well, it gets too soft.

One of my saddles is a Spooner, probably a predecessor to the Signature, which is also grain leather. It’s grain and took a while to break in, but I love the leather now.

[Tha_Ridge]

@blondewithchrome

I had one of these (the “Skylla” model) with the standard tree (AN) which fit basically any warmblood I had it on, with shims here and there.

The Skylla (and Spooner) is actually different—what the OP is referring to is the newish Signature line which has a much wider range of customizations, but still for a very reasonable price.

[fivestrideline]

I MUCH prefer grain - I had a Pessoa that was grain and bought it specifically for that reason. I’ve seen the worn through flaps on some $10k saddles and that just doesn’t work for me.

Yes, the Spooner is one that some online retailers used to carry in the basic configurations. The Signature is one step up from that, with some additional options (almost all the flap configurations of the full customs, for example).

[TatteredDaydreamer]

I don’t remember the model, but I used to lesson in a former instructors older Antares and I absolutely loved that saddle. It had fabulous balance, and I felt so secure in it!