Just curious what the vibe is on County saddles? I’m a loooong time French saddle girl but I’ve come to the conclusion that it might not be the best fit for my new horse. On their website they have the Next Gen jumping saddles that look interesting and boast a lot of claims. Horse in question is a dutch warmblood, uphill build with a massive shoulder and wither. I’ve never been a fan of English saddles but willing to try something new if it helps new guy. I’m open to other saddles as well but I like the look of the County.
I have both a county jump and dressage for one of mine and I like them fine. I do think they are a bit of a bridge between the horse-friendly english saddles and the rider-friendly french styles.
The pommel and gullet are a tick narrower than I would like for optimal horse comfort, but I do find that that gives a slightly closer-contact feel and there is enough pommel room that they are never pinching withers if fitted correctly. And of course the wool flocking allows for much better fit.
I can’t speak to the next-gen styles as both of mine are older (I have a gorgeous conquest jump and a perfection dressage).
Be aware that their tree sizing differs pretty significantly from other brands in that they run very wide, at least historically. Mine are both medium-narrow, but the horse in question fits somewhere between a medium and medium-wide in other english brands.
Good to know! Most of the used Countys are narrow so that makes sense if they run on the wider side.
I have a county solution (minus the rear blocks) and love it! My horse goes really well in it as well.
I have two County saddles also but they are 10ish years old (?) so can’t speak to the Next Gen line. Purchased the jump saddle as an upgrade from my older Stubben as the jumps got bigger - I was definitely much more secure in the County. I did have to get the channel widened for my new horse but that wasn’t terribly difficult. Both of my saddles are medium tree and fit my TBs normally - the younger one might actually end up in a MW as he grows and fills out, so I don’t think the trees really run that wide, at least on the models I have.
I don’t have the nextgen models but I own 3 Countys and absolutely love them. It is hard to find the wider trees used.
I have two and am very happy with them. Neither are the NextGen models, but I rode in a few of the new dressage models when I was trying saddles in 2023. I like the Epiphany but did not like the others (just personal preference, there’s nothing wrong with them). I ended up buying a Connection that I LOVE LOVE LOVE.
My jump saddle is a Stabilizer, she’s an old gal but is in great shape and fits us both pretty well. I’d like to upgrade that one but I can’t swing two new saddles at the same time 
My horse is an OTTB, prominent withers but not wildly so, overall very “medium build” in every way (not super thick/broad, not super narrow). No extreme curviness or flat back, very middle of the road kind of back. Their medium trees work well for him. He’s right on the cusp between MN and M, but if we went with MN, if he gained ANY weight/muscle it would be too snug for him. Their trees tend to be generous (run a little wide).
Nice saddles IF your horse is flat backed. Learned the hard way.
