County saddle question

[Obsidian_Fire]

What is the difference between the County models? Perfection, Fusion, Connection, etc… I have an older Perfection, I love it but it does not and never will fit my current horse.

She’s an OTTB with reasonable withers, but has those pockets behind her shoulders (more pronounced on one side) and a flatter but peaked topline - she’s fairly level, not built downhill, so not much “curvature” to her back.
I bought a Wintec to get us going originally but frankly it’s not fitting and she’s done putting up with it.

I do not have the budget to go custom, or brand new, nor can I spend my entire budget on shipping saddles back n forth as I trial them.

I don’t have a lot of ‘experience’ sitting in other higher-end brands of saddles; I’ve ridden in Custom on a horse I was thinking to buy - loved the saddle but again, not sure it would work for this mare.

I need dropped panels, K panels, I guess County calls them skid row panels??

HELP!! PLEASE!!

[Samantha37]

I have the Perfection (older model) and a new Epiphany which is LOVELY. I have ridden in the Fusion and I believe the Connection.

I used to think the Perfection was the best saddle ever, until I got the Epiphany. It is so incredibly balanced on every horse I put it on - it’s amazing. My riding has improved a lot since getting this saddle.

Before trying the Epiphany, I was going to buy a secondhand Fusion. When I first started dressage, my hips weren’t open enough to make the Fusion comfortable but now that I am more experienced I freaking love it. I might like it better than my Perfection!

The Connection I used for a few months while I waited for the Epiphany and I liked it a lot. Especially would be good for lower levels. I didn’t feel quite secure enough doing the changes on a horse who was doing a lot of leaping around about them. I ended up not working the changes anymore until the Epiphany came. But overall it is a really nice, well balanced saddle. I’m sure you could do GP in it if you were a better rider than I am, but I like my big old thigh blocks aka my seatbelt

I have 2 OTTBs- both with reasonable withers. I didn’t need skid row panels in the Epiphany but do in all the other County models.

I’d see if you can find some you can sit in to get an idea of how they ride because they all feel differently, then hit up Ebay and all other used tack places and start scouring. That’s how I got my Perfection.

[Qharma]

Coincidentally I just had my old County Perfection evaluated for my “new” OTTB and with a small flocking adjustment it fits his big shoulders, dip behind withers and short back. My Custom did not work for him because it was too long in the back and the billets caused it to press on his shoulder blades. My saddle fitter who has been doing this for years says the County Perfection works really well with most thoroughbreds.

[EVneo]

Of the many lessons I’ve learned with saddle fitting - it’s cheaper in the long run to work with a fitter. My county fitter has been great and totally understands that I can’t afford new. she told me exactly what I needed and would let me know if a used one comes through the county demo list - fitters also have access to a larger list than what’s online. Definitely have a fitter double check if you need panels - I’ve had many ottbs that have gotten away with my competitor and perfection without skid row panels