I’m on the hunt for a new dressage saddle - looking for something similar to my trainer’s Schleese Prolight with PSI panel (without the high price tag) – LOVE the fit of saddle for me (horse likes it too). What saddle brands/models may be worth trialing ride similarly? *I don’t really want a used Schleese after seeing some of the saddle-fitting woes on COTH.
Here is my wish list:
-Prefer Wool flocked
-NARROW twist
-Grippy leather
-Prefer more compact like the Schleese (length from cantle to pommel is about 18") - something that takes up less real estate on horse’s back to fit wider range of horses
-Flap preference: Shorter (Schleese flap measures about 14.5" from stirrup bar to end of flap)
-Schleese has a “push seat” - it’s is VERY padded which I LOVE and it kind of bolsters my hind end forward.
-Horse: My main ride has a curvier/high-wither TB type back. He’s got a large shoulder, high narrower wither, broadens through ribcage.
*I ride several horses so a more “generic” curvy-back fit (or easily adjustable) is a plus.
-Rider: 5’4", 125 lbs, not leggy but with a longer femur than calf ratio. Muscular thigh with a round booty. I struggle to get the correct inner thigh rotation in many saddles (keeping my hamstrings more behind me). I don’t like to feel like I’m sitting in a hole too far back on horse or saddles that have too open a seat where I fidget to find the right position.
Any thoughts or suggestions for this magical unicorn saddle? I appreciate your expertise!
(Possible “maybes” so far: Black Country Dante, Fairfax Rebecca, Macrider (not sure of model), Verhan, Adam Ellis Paisley.)
