I am looking for a used dressage saddle for me. I am 5’6", however I have a long torso and short legs. I ride in a 1 flap in my hunt seat saddle. I need a larger seat as I have the middle age spread going. I like a deep seat, so my Antares close contact saddle is a 18.5 seat with a 1 flap. Someone recommended a Trilogy Debbie McDonald saddle is it is made for riders with short legs. My horse wears a medium wide tree. Anyone have any experience with a Debblie McDonald Trilogy Saddle? Thank you.
I don’t have any experience with Trilogy saddles, but wanted to mention that I don’t think you need to limit yourself to a particular brand due to your build. If you are purchasing a new saddle you could easily have the flap customized to your leg length.
Yes, this ^^^ is true. Many saddle makers have a short flap option.
OP, in my opinion, you just need to sit in as many saddles as you can. I’m 5’3" and not particularly leggy and have a longer femur than from knee to ankle. One of the biggest challenges for me is not so much the flap length but the position and size of the knee block or knee roll. In some saddles it is obvious that the knee block is made for a much taller person with long legs.
I’m 5’4" and have short legs. I’ve ridden in the Trilogy DMcD and found it worked well for me. It’s not just that the flaps are short (the one I tried recently measured 15 3/4"), but the flaps are cut straight and the blocks are large, which provided a very secure place for my leg. The seat is deep, with a fairly narrow twist, which also often helps when you have short legs. I also liked that it has a good deal of wither clearance with a cut-back pommel.
I ride in a schleese with a short flap and moveable thigh blocks . I love the saddle and have had good service, by the way. You just have to try a lot as a previous poster said. I have a 5 ft pal who swears by her neidersuss
As a short-legged rider I liked the Albion Platinum Ultima short flap I had and the Albion Brentina SLK I used to ride in, but I don’t have any experience with the Trilogy.
I agree 100% with SnickelfritzG that the position/size of the blocks is a way bigger deal than the flap length (although I do hate long flaps, as I like to have a little leg between flap and spur).
I currently ride in a Hennig with a narrow twist, small velcro blocks, and normal 17" flaps. Adjustability has been great for my stupid short legs and I’m completely sold on the velcro block concept.
I have the same problem. I have to say Bates dressage saddles seem to have a short flap. I didn’t love it when I tried it, but its great for short legged riders. My favorite saddle is the Ainsley. It took me many months to find a used one but when I did I was super happy. It puts me in a perfect position and fits my leg great. Another rider at my barn has one too. They are made really well and are great saddles, just hard to find! Worth trying one, its seriously the best thing I have found. I know the amerigo or amerigo vega’s are shorter as well…just expensive!
