Hey all! I’m looking for a more forward flap jumping saddle for the bigger stuff we’re jumping now and I love the Pessoa Legacy Event. Great reviews and I really want an adjustable tree as my horse keeps changing from M to MN to N depending and it’s a pain! I would love to try both the monoflap version and the 2 flap version. Can’t find ANYONE who trials them though. Can you help?
I tried them both through VTO Saddlery. They were very good to work with.
oh, thank you!!!
what was your opinion of the saddles? 
I looked at VTOs website and it says this:
To return a saddle, you must notify us within 5 business days of your receiving it. If you require extra time to get to your barn, please let us know, as we will routinely extend this time upon reasonable request.
Returned saddles must be in NEW condition, unless we indicate that they are test ride saddles. Make sure your horse is clean and free of sweat, fly spray, conditioners, etc. It is OK to girth it up and sit in it (without stirrups), but do not ride in it until you are sure you want to keep it. Saddles with visible signs of wear, such as stirrup leather marks, are NOT returnable.
How can you test it if you can’t ride in it?
Check also with Saddlery Liquidators in Haymarket VA.
I also trialed one of the Test Ride saddles from VTO Saddlery. I think the website comments the OP is concerned about refer to their NON-Test Ride saddles. In other words, order one of those specifically.
The saddle was okay but I didn’t buy it as it didn’t entirely accommodate my long femur and the tree was a bit flat for my horses at the time. To me it was essentially identical to the Thornhill XCH Platinum 24K Event, which can be had for less than or equal to $1000. And seems to have a slightly curvier tree, which was better for my horses. Though not in a monoflap if that’s what you’re after.
http://www.equinesupply.com/servlet/the-793/Thornhill-Pro-dsh-Trainer®-Platinum-24K®/Detail
My horse def does NOT need a curvy tree - visorvet, you mean the Thornhill is a curvier tree or the Pessoa? I am not interested in the monoflap only, I want to try both the dual flap and the mono.
I talked to VTO and they cleared up the wording on the site:
" Thank you for your inquiry with VTO Saddlery. We do offer test rides on our saddles and we have a Pessoa Legacy Event Monoflap in a 17.5" seat right now. We can change the gullet to whatever size you think you might need.
You can place the order either online and we automatically treat it as a test ride or over the phone at 1-800-506-5344. Either way we take your credit card information to have on file while you have the saddle. You have one week to test ride the saddle after you receive it, and if you need more time after that just let us know. You can girth it up and ride in it to make sure that if fits both you and your horse. "
The Thornhill looks to have a curvier tree based on promotional photos. I have never seen one in person to confirm this suspicion, as the horse I was saddle-shopping for at the time got sold.
The Pessoa jump trees are fairly flat in general, and the Legacy Event was much too flat for the curvy guy I tried it on. The horse actually kept stopping to bite my leg while I was riding him in it, which was funny. So it was a very short ride. With luck it will be perfect for you, though!
I have a pessoa legacy event (dual flap). I LOVE this saddle. Mine is older, before the XCH system (it’s a medium tree). It fits a ton of horses and is a very balanced saddle, offers just enough support without holding me in one place. I am coming from an amerigo monoflap, and other that the leather being a bit less divine, I like this saddle way more. It has better balance and better fit for the horse (nice wide weight bearing panels and a wide gullet).
Great saddle!
I’ve always had GREAT experience with VTO, I would def recommend a trial with them.
thank you for the replies everyone! I’m excited to try it! Doing a withers tracing today.
Per all I’ve read on other threads and responses here, I have both the Pessoa Legacy Event (dual flap) and the Thornhill 24K ProTrainer Platinum Event coming my way! Interested to see them side by side and see if the Pessoa is really worth double the price.
If you’re trying those two, I’d also try the Ovation 4 star event saddle XCH. It’s a great price and terrific for those who are long legged. VTO also carries it. It’s very nice quality for the price.
I will only try wool flocked saddles, or else the Ovation would def get a try!
