Hello I am wondering over from the eventing forum. I currently have an Isabelle on my horse but have realized that I think he really hates this saddle. I have done some flat work in my Duett jumping saddle which I bought for him based on his tracings from Nancy at Duett. This saddle fits him wonderfully and he really moves out well. I am thinking about getting a Duett dressage saddle but my close contact isn’t the most comfortable thing to sit in but fits him perfectly so I just deal with it. Does anyone here ride in a Duett? If so, what are your thoughts on comfort and which model do you ride in? My Isabelle is like a couch for me but my horse has large withers and a very large shoulder so hes a tough fit. Thanks for your input in advance!
I have a Duett all-purpose, and I love, love, love it. In fact, I love it so much that I have been pondering selling the all-purpose and getting the dressage version, except the horse that wears it may no longer be a dressage horse, so it may be a moot point. But I digress. My point is: Duetts are great for wide-backed horses, and in my opinion, they are equally comfortable for their riders. I do ride in an 18 seat in a Duett, while normally I ride in a 17.5 seat. Apparently the shape of the saddle has something to do with this, although I’ve had a terrible feeling that maybe my @$$ is getting bigger. 
I used a brand new Duett Encore on a young Arabian that I was training a few years back. I was very happy with the saddle.
I bought a Largo for our super-wide draft cross mare. Much to my surprise, it also fits my new young WB. It works well and is comfortable for me and both horses. Now that is good saddle karma!
I ride in a Duett Encore on one of my Haflingers. It’s a very nice saddle for the price. I bought it new about 15 months ago. Mine is a 36 cm and fits Mr. Wide-Load like a glove. I ride my other Haflinger in a Wintec Isabel which I actually prefer as far as my comfort goes but does not fit the horse as well as it should and I’ll probably end up selling it.
I had a Duett Largo that worked really well for me on several of my horses. I bought it for my fjordX. It was a 38 cm. I did sell it a year ago, my older horse had changed shape and so did my fjordX. Both needed an angle type tree instead of the rounded hoop tree of the Duett, but it did work pretty well. The Wintec Pro dressage has worked out beautifully for us, especially for me.
Also, take a look at the new Duett Tango. The hardest thing about the Largo was for me the flap was too straight. It was a constant battle keeping my long thigh back. The Wintec has a slightly more forward flap, so it fits me better. The Tango also has a little more forward flap, I really like the look of that saddle, but I didn’t try it. I like the little flatter seat, too. The wide gussets really fit nice on wide backs.
My trainer reps for Duett, and she sold a used one (Fidelio, I think?) to the owner of one of the horses I ride. I’ve found them all to be SUPER comfy, honestly, although interestingly, the really flat one (the one that’s supposed to “disappear” under you, haha — I think it must be an older model, as it looks like the Largo on their page, but is all smooth leather and has very small knee rolls) actually affected my position the most and tipped me on my crotch. Might not have fit me correctly, though. They’re also just really, really nice for the price.
Duett Fidelio here…
I love my Duett Fidelio. It fits me and my horse. Very comfortable. Mine is a size 34cm and fits my Appy well. (It also fit an Arab I used to have very well too). Plenty of room for the shoulders to move freely.
This past weekend I rode in a clinic where we were in the saddle for approximately 8 hours for one of the days. There have been some saddles that I’ve ridden in, that after three or four hours became very uncomfortable to me. Not so my Duett.
Even though the Fidelio is a deep seated Dressage saddle, I use it for trail and pleasure riding as well.
Nancy at Duett is wonderful to work with. She shipped me several different saddles to try…and when I say try, I mean actually ride in as in a full lesson etc. Definitely worth investigating further.
I have an Encore dressage saddle and a Foxhunter saddle. I love them both.
I come from Eventer land too, but I use the Duett Encore on both my Arabians, and they LOVE it. It’s also very comfy! I’m VERY impressed with it as it’s their cheapest model! - Anyone who rides in it usually loves it too. Very balanced, overall great saddle for the $$$!
