ive done some online searching and find that seat savers–gel type, not sheepskin–are allowed in the UK, but I can’t find any rules about competing in a seat saver here. I’m thinking that a seat saver might be necessary for me (degenerative disk disease). Anyone have experience with seat savers in recognized shows?
DR121.7 seat covers are forbidden.
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They are not legal. I have seen people get away with it, but you would risk being eliminated.
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Can you have a saddle maker alter the seat of your saddle in a permanent fashion that achieves the same effect?
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If it’s medically necessary for you, you could apply for a dispensation from USEF.
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I think I will investigate the dispensation certificate. I’m hoping I will be able to sit the trot with a back brace and a gel seat saver
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@Magicboy Did you have any luck with this certificate? I’m in the same position after rupturing two discs.
You know, this is something that I think should be a rule change. What exactly is the reason for not permitted seat savers? I could see it for an equitation class, but why forbid something that allows for better riding. What’s the difference between sticky breeches, a suede saddle seat or a seat saver. In addition, a seat saver keeps the white breeches from getting stained with black dye.
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I believe you can also request a dispensation that allows you to post instead of sitting, if that’s the better option for your medical situation.
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My back problems are relatively mild, but getting a Stubben saddle with Biomex seat has helped me a lot.
A thinline pad under the saddle may help too.
Check out the underwear made for bicycle racers. They have lots of different padding options, and I’m not aware of any rules that make padded underwear illegal.
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I was going to mention looking into the Stubbens with Biomex. 
Sadly, a new saddle isn’t in the budget. But I just ordered an Acavallo gel seat saver and I’m hoping that will help. My back isn’t bad enough to avoid all sitting trot, but neither thinline nor skeepskin removed the pain entirely, and the resulting tension is sending half-halts when I don’t intend to.
I have padded bike shorts, but they don’t make any with 20mm of gel… plus I think I’d look like I was wearing a diaper under my breeches if they did!
Lol could you imagine an underwear check along with your bit check?! :lol:
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In a search for dispensation for not having to sit the trot with back issues I found this thread.
Starting down this road myself as I attempt to do Second Level for the first time ever this year, really 
they will consider letting me post.
I’d love to know if anyone has been granted a dispensation to allow posting.
Does something like this require going into the Para athlete category? There are different levels. I know of someone riding at the mildest level with a fused ankle.
It may have changed since I worked behind the show desk, but we had an older lady with a dispensation certificate for half chaps that was not under the para program at the shows I used to help run.
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You can get a dispensation without getting classified or being eligible for para. Info is here. I’m a classified para rider and my USEF dispensation has both my classified para grade and my dispensation info on it. A dispensation I have is “sitting or rising trot”.
https://www.usef.org/compete/disciplines/para-equestrian/para-equestrian-dressage-programs-forms/dispensation-certificates
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Natalie, thank you 
I am sympathetic to your plight. However, I would compare this to someone entering a figure skating competition at a level where jumps are required, and asking that they not be required to perform jumps because they have bad knees.
ETA Unless someone can give me a good reason for disallowing seat savers, I think the rule banning them is dumb.
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