Dressage saddle for rider with J. Lo body-type

[LilyandBaron]

I may be in the market for a new dressage saddle. I have a Black Country Eloquence for one horse, and it’s not bad - maybe a smidge wide for me? I’ve been riding in an older KN Symphonie, and not awful, but not super comfy, either. I had an old Passier Grand Gilbert I found comfy, but the flaps were way too long.

I’m setting up an appointment with a saddle fitter that reps for BC, Frank Baines, Harry Dabbs, and E. Jeffries, but from folks who’ve used her, she legit will work on/recommend whatever works.

So, let’s say I am built somewhat like J. Lo, if J. Lo ate carbs:) I watch my diet and workout, but…

Fit on the horse is critical, but just wanted to ask for inputs from ladies built similarly - what saddles should I at least consider?

Thanks!

[Knubbsy]

I am very comfortable in the Bates Monoflap saddles (I think I prefer the new Artiste over the older Innova). I’m technically petite in vertical proportions but um … I was once described as having the body of a former gymnast (I think supposed to mean one that kept the quads and glutes and added some squish). Since the thigh blocks are movable there’s room there and the seat is deep enough I feel balanced and sit into it, but can still get out of the saddle - it’s not too wide either, which is a big issue with me with some saddles.

My trainer has opposite horizontal proportions (true petite) and she’s happy in them too (they’re her saddles so they better fit).

[CanteringCarrot]

Ooh, what do you think of the Artiste? There are a few things I like about it, based off of what I’ve seen online. I’ve not seen one in person. I’m not sure if it would fit my horse’s type either.

I am somewhat the shape you describe and I find my Fairfax Gareth reasonably comfortable. I do find most Black Country saddles to be comfortable in the seat. Frank Baines has some nice looking saddles too and can customize fit (well, most can). For me dressage saddles are so personal and you really have to sit in them.

[Knubbsy]

@CanteringCarrot

Ooh, what do you think of the Artiste? There are a few things I like about it, based off of what I’ve seen online. I’ve not seen one in person. I’m not sure if it would fit my horse’s type either.

My trainer and I both feel like you get a longer leg with it, so they got something right with the alignment. I like what they’ve done to the knee blocks, it’s definitely more of a gentle hug than really locking you in. In general, I think it feels closer to the horse than even the Innova (I haven’t sat in the mono jump saddles to compare). The leather is nice but I’d want to baby it just because it certainly isn’t cheap.

edit My trainer and I were talking today about the differences between the different Bates dressage saddles and after comparing them, the Artiste seems to have slightly flatter or at least aggressively sloped panels compared to older models.

[Viranh]

Ugh, I’ve been having the same trouble while saddle shopping. I’m short but have a large butt and thighs. I had a perfect fit in my old Custom Saddlery Victory, but Custom doesn’t make anything like it now and it doesn’t fit my horse. None of the monoflaps with their big blocks worked for me at all, and even dual flap saddles with a deeper seat were a struggle even in a larger seat size. I’d recommend looking for something with smaller blocks and a more open seat, or ordering one of the English bench made saddles with those modifications. I think Black Country still makes a few with an open seat, and there’s at least one open seat model from Fairfax. My saddle fitter has been having trouble getting stock due to covid, so I didn’t get to try as many saddles as so would have liked or I might have a longer list of models to suggest. I ended up picking one that fit the horse and getting a large enough seat size to get away with a moderately deep seat, which wouldn’t be my preference.

[Jealoushe]

I have a simile body type and have several Amerigos that all suit me well.

[LilyandBaron]

When the saddle fitter comments on the pictures and says your horse is an “interesting shape” - I guess we’ll see what options we have, lol! But good to have a wish list!

[jodyb]

I too have, er, squishier quads and glutes. I really like my Lovatt and Ricketts Berkeley. It’s comfortable, has a narrow twist, is a bit more open in the seat (for my butt) and has room for my thighs. I also like my Albion Platinum Genesis. It has a more open seat, the only downside is the twist is not as narrow. That doesn’t bother me, but it may you. The saddle I don’t think fits my body type as well is my Sommers Flextra. The seat is deep and in my opinion runs small. The thigh blocks are set for quite a straight leg and I feel I need more room for my thighs. I’ve thought of selling it, but it fits one of my horses really well.

[LilyandBaron]

I met with the saddle fitter today and just had my current saddle reflocked for now. But I rode in a Black Country GP Eventing saddle and it was soooooo comfy. Saddlefitter suggested the GPD on the native tree for my guy, but that’s a pretty new tree so not ready to invest in that quite yet, but it was cool to find a super comfy saddle for us both!

[CanteringCarrot]

Really? How new? I thought the Native Tree has been around for awhile now. I wouldn’t hesitate to invest in anything from Black Country. I find the quality to be good and the saddles to be comfortable. But fair enough if you’re not ready.

[LilyandBaron]

I thought native tree meant native British breeds, but saddle fitter, a BC rep, said it’s been around 3 years and was designed for native American breeds… I own a BC for my mare, but I bought it used - lovely saddle for sure. If I can find a used native tree, I’ll do it, but not looking to buy brand new. Particularly a GP saddle new - I just don’t know if a GP in any brand holds the value like a pure dressage vs. pure jumping saddle. And this horse is a bit weird - an OTSTB that is still figuring out canter, so no, not buying a brand new BC at this time:)

[CanteringCarrot]

Ah yeah, I get what you’re saying now.

GP saddles are more common in the UK it seems.

I really thought that it does mean British native breeds. Hm.

[TXnGA]

It really depends on the horse for me to find a good riding saddle. I have one upper level mare that I ride a Black Country in, love it on her. Tried it on my upper level event horse and hated it on him. My saddle I ride on the upper level event horse, I ride him in a Custom Saddlery Omni but hate it on my young horse. All three horses move differently, and are built differently.

Custom Saddlery reps tend to have lots of different saddles, models, flaps, knee rolls, etc. I think I tried 20 saddles in the custom saddlery dressage saddles and got to trial it for two weeks. Also, you get to buy the saddle that you’ve been riding in ( so no doubts about it fitting how you remember with saddles that are ordered and come in 2+ months later).

So try lots of saddles and don’t settle until you love it and it fits your horse

[webmistress32]

I am still trying to wrap my head around the idea of J. Lo riding dressage and what type of saddle she would need … LOL

[LilyandBaron]

So had to google J-Lo riding, and apparently she refused when asked. Best we got is a photo shoot on a carousel horse, but, um, looked like a men’s magazine​:flushed:.

[LilyandBaron]

Had a dressage clinic and the clinician hated the fit of the “adjusted” Niedersuss. So I met with a new saddle fitter today and tried four saddles in my budget (under $2K). There was a Prestige, not sure which model, that was comfortable at halt but pitched me forward in motion. A Kent and Masters was very comfy on my butt, but my thick thighs hated the blocks! My arthritic knee was mad after a half circle in trot. A Stubben Aramis was pretty good - a little wide but not bad. But then I found home with an old Albion Original Comfort! For once, the best fit for horse and rider was the cheapest - hallelujah! But I sat beautifully and it just felt awesome! Just wanted to post in case others on a budget are curious about various options:)

[mzm_farm]

I was going to mention Albion, older models, then saw you had resolved the issue and the search was off. Imagine my surprise at re-visiting the thread and finding that … an Albion was the answer. LOL