County Fusion dressage saddle - who rides in one?

[Obsidian_Fire]

I am wondering if it’s time to change saddles. I used to ride in a Perfection, but it does not fit my current horse. When fitter came out, she brought every thing she could get her hands on. I rode in a number of saddles that night, but I don’t remember if she brought a Fusion or what it felt like. It ended up being either the Epiphany or another Perfection, I ended up going Epiphany. I liked the forward flap and smaller knee rolls. But now that we’ve progressed so much further, I don’t need the forward flap (so I could shorten my stirrups) and in fact I find it a hindrance. I feel like I’m being encouraged towards a chair seat when I should not be. Anyhow. I thought I’d look around for a used Perfection, found one I’m debating on trialing, but also saw the Fusion which honestly looks very similar.

So, does anyone have one, use one, pros/cons?

[theresak]

I have a custom Fusion that I love. The only issue is that it is so custom to my horse and to me, it doesn’t work great for anyone else.

My Fusion has totally straight flaps and full length external knee blocks - you have to ride with a very open hip angle, which doesn’t work for some people. The saddle totally locks you in, so if you like to have a more “open” feeling in the saddle, the Fusion is probably not for you.

I bought my Fusion before they had the Epiphany but of all the other models I test rode in, the Fusion had the closest contact feel for me and the best twist. My young horse has a used Connection that is a lot more forgiving in the seat and blocks and still has a pretty close contact feeling.

If you fee like you are fighting a chair seat, try raising the back of the saddle with a folded up towel or a shimmable half pad and see if that fixes it. If it does, you might just need the balance adjusted. If you still feel like your knees are out in front, the stirrup bar is probably in the wrong place for you and/or seat size is not quite right.

[Obsidian_Fire]

@theresak thanks for the insight.

This is what my fitter said: The County Perfection and the County Fusion are two completely different saddles, though they do appear similar. They have a different tree altogether. The Perfection tends to run wider than the Fusion (about a half tree size). The Fusion has a bit of a longer flap and a more severe knee roll. I find that the Fusion tends to fit tall riders with long femurs, but I’ve seen different types of riders like it, so it just depends!

She also said it has been discontinued.

Your comments about a ‘very open hip angle’ make me think a wider twist?

My fitter is coming out on the 15th. In the meantime I’m emailing with my concerns.

[theresak]

@Obsidian_Fire

Your comments about a ‘very open hip angle’ make me think a wider twist?

Nope, I mean that your hip flexors can’t be tight - my Fusion rides with my thigh close to perpendicular to the ground. Some Fusions may have a more forgiving/forward flap and block, but mine is 100% straight. I bought mine about 13 years ago and customized with skid row panels, short flap, and 16.5" seat. It’s motivation to not gain any weight. I’m short at 5’2" but have a very long femur, which is why I think it works well for me.