Dressage Saddle Suggestions With Larger Thigh Blocks

[JMurray]

I am having to put my custom made saddle on hold for another couple of years, frustrating but other expenses are coming first again. I had settled on the Trilogy brand.

Besides trolling e-bay and the used saddle shops and advertisements, is there anything out there with the larger thigh blocks? Something suitable for second and third level that I can buy new for 2500 or less that people have found to be a good buy?

I am currently using a Duet and a Wintec Isabell, but neither come with the larger thigh blocks.

Dover catalog has a HDR Rivella Dressage saddle , any one know about those? or the Kieffer Lusiatano? or the Stubben Maestoso?

My 2 horses do not have any special saddle fitting issues and are similar in what they need, which is a help.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

[pintopiaffe]

Make sure you SIT and RIDE in a Kieffer if you haven’t already. I suspect if you like the Wintec, you will hate the Kieffer. The rise is very quick and sharp. My teacher used to have them for the schoolmasters, and I called them the ‘Krotchbusters’. :dead:

The Lusitano is padded nicely, but depending on how/where you want the support, isn’t like the big external blocks. There’s another model, with a funny little flap over the stirrup, that has big, lovely external blocks. Maybe someone can help with the model name? You’ll know what I’m talking about if you see the stirrup flap…

Have you tried putting the big Isabelle blocks as high as you can get them? I used the ‘fat/round’ side on top, and would put them right up to the edge of the flap, so the top 2-3" was actually off the velcro. Was like buttah. Also, on one saddle, forget which one, but I actually used the blocks ‘backwards’ with the steep edge toward me and the rounded edge toward the front of the flap, and that let me ‘tuck’ my thigh right in.

Several of my students have the HDRs, the kind with the upswept panels. I love the position it helps them with, but haven’t ridden in one myself. The blocks aren’t overly large–sculpted, but not big… but maybe there are different models now.

I would aim for something with velcro blocks, and then special order big blocks and put them where you want. Duett Fidelio comes to mind. But of course there are tons others.

OR, for very little $$ in the grand scheme of saddles, you can have a saddler ADD blocks exactly where you want them. I had Sue Schuerer add nice pouffy (not huge, but pouffy!) upsidedown teardrop blocks to my ~gasp~ Ancient Passier. I know, it’s a sin, but, unless you know they’re an add on, you absolutely cannot tell, and they made a GINORMOUS difference for me using that saddle on that horse.

So if you find something you love in every other respect, it’s like $250 for the custom blocks. Might even be less, I had a full teardown/restuff done at the same time… and Sue does a ‘package’ price on that.

[Lusoluv]

After riding in my trainer’s Kieffer Lusitano and Ulla Salzgeber saddles, I now own both. They are very similar in that the larger knee rolls and deep seat “encourage” you to sit very upright and open. Make sure you get the Excellent Seat version as the older models had an option - I think the new ones are all E-Seats - much softer than the rock hard Kieffers of old.

The tree is adjustable by a saddle fitter if need be. I used to have a Passier and now I prefer the above 2 Kieffer models. You can often find them used but in almost new condition from Pelham Saddlery and you can try them for a week as much as you want to make sure you like it. Of course ANY change in saddles will feel weird and/or uncomfortable your very first ride, so make sure you give any new saddle a fair test ride over the course of a week. Trials can be very difficult if you’re buying new as limits on wear, etc. are very strict!

Oh, my friend’s Stubben Maestoso has smallish knee rolls compared to the Kieffers.

[buck22]

for around $1k both the Toulouse Aachen and Courbette Bernina have very generous thighblocks and are quite nice saddles for the $ and worth consideration imo. Both very comfortable and couch-like too. Both hold their resale very well too when you’ve decided its time for your custom.

eta, also look at marcus krehan saddles, the external thighblocks are quite large.

[TBDQ0328]

I have a Custom Saddlery Advantage that both my horse and I love. It has bigger blocks but I still feel like I can move around in it. The signature version is around 2400 new and they can be adjusted by a saddler fitter.

I have only sat in the Isabel out of the ones you mentioned - I didn’t like it because it out me in a bit of a chair seat; my horse didn’t like it because the channel was a bit narrow for him and the Cair panels weren’t doing him any favors.

Can you find a tack store that will let you try a bunch? I tried several through Trumball Mountain when I was looking - the shipping was kinda painful but it was worth it to be able to sit in a lot of saddles to get a better idea of what both my horse and I liked.

[Barbara_F]

Childerac and County both have big thigh blocks. The Childerac is really cozy.

[caddym]

I would strongly recommend looking at used saddles. A good used saddle really holds it value so if in a couple of years, you CAN buy the custom saddle of your dreams, the used saddle will likely be worth about what you paid for it. In this light, stick to the popular brands.

As far as good thigh block. The luc Childrec (I believe trumbull mtn has a used one for sale) and the schlesse Link - I’ve had both these saddles the childrec I bought used and sold 2 years later for about $200 less what I paid for it (after commission). I presently have the Schlesse Link which I bought new and LOVE it. Hennig’s are also great saddles with nice thigh blocks - VERY expensive new (why are they so expensive???)

The prestige 2000 and the amerigo vega are both nice saddles with generous thigh blocks (I owned a prestige and have trialed the vega) that both sell new for around $2800 new.

Re. used saddles I’ve had really good luck with trumbull mountain and equestrian imports. Ive heard good things about pelham

[Equi88]

Some of the Rembrandt Saddles (Classic Saddlery) come with larger thigh blocks, and I believe they are just under $2000.

[goldponies]

How about the Bates Innova?

[JMurray]

[QUOTE=goldponies;4639391]
How about the Bates Innova?[/QUOTE]

Good suggestion but I have sat in that one and not for me. The Duet Fidelio seems worth a try and the Anky Euro XCH. I am still looking online at all the other suggestions.

Thanks for all the good ones!

[Valentina_32926]

You may be able to purchase a used Verhan for $2500 - some of their models come with nice large thigh blocks and I ride in them (3rd level) as does my GP trainer.

And the tree is adjustable so it’ll work on your horse forever.

[Horse_in_Hand]

These thigh blocks that are the new “thing” make me laugh. What happened to the rider developing their skill to the point of the level, being able to hold their OWN leg down?

May as well begin riding in Spanish saddles, or Western couches.

[JMurray]

[QUOTE=Horse in Hand;4640162]
These thigh blocks that are the new “thing” make me laugh. What happened to the rider developing their skill to the point of the level, being able to hold their OWN leg down?

May as well begin riding in Spanish saddles, or Western couches.[/QUOTE]

Totally not relevant to my post…as a greenie… please do not hijack my thread. thanks

[Horse_in_Hand]

[QUOTE=JMurray;4640237]
Totally not relevant to my post…as a greenie… please do not hijack my thread. thanks[/QUOTE]

In saying “suitable for 2nd or 3rd level” I was not thinking you were a greenie. As a greeine I would think you would be saying you would be riding training level. I don’t equate “green” and third level together.

[JMurray]

[QUOTE=Horse in Hand;4640246]
In saying “suitable for 2nd or 3rd level” I was not thinking you were a greenie. As a greeine I would think you would be saying you would be riding training level. I don’t equate “green” and third level together.[/QUOTE]

I mean you are a greenie poster.

You have no idea my personal and physical reasons for needing a large thigh block and not part of this discussion or requiring comment.

Please let’s leave this thread to my obtaining suggestions for the saddles I am looking for. Do not hijack my thread. If you want to start a discussion about the logic around thigh blocks you can open a seperate thread.

Thanks!

[tigrrlily04]

Someone else mentioned this, but why are you not considering a used Trilogy if you know that’s what you like? They aren’t the easiest used saddles to come by, but you can find them. After a long and painful saddle search I finally came across a used Trilogy Amadeo and am in love! I got it used in very good condition (less than 2 years old) for under $2k. Good luck!

[HollysHobbies]

If you can find a used Luc Childeric, they are a GREAT saddle with the thigh block you’re looking for, plus they fit a variety of horses really well…try fineusedsaddles or saddlesource…I think I saw one recently for in your price range! Make sure you can TRY the saddle before you buy so you can make sure it’ll work.

[dressagedevon]

I got this saddle and I really do love it!! http://www.equine.com/products-for-sale/product-ad-893965.html. The saddle has nice large blocks but they don’t “block” you in, the seat is nice deep and very cushy!! Plus way under your budget. I looked at tons of saddles tried a bunch and for the money went with this one, my horse and I really do enjoy it. Good luck saddle shopping, it’s fun and not so fun, all at the same time.:lol:

[Lusoluv]

Large knee rolls do not relate to rider competency

Just to address the comment that riding with large knee rolls or a deep seated saddle means that you haven’t developed a competent or educated seat…that is just not true. I personally know GP riders who prefer knee rolls that are bigger than mine! I know an east coast Gold Medalist who has trained many horses to GP and rides in the Bates Innova extended block saddle as well as the Kieffer Lusitano.

[Kerrysmom818]

I didn’t have nearly the budget you do; but, I’ve been quite happy with the used Klimke Miller I found. It’s a dream to ride in and fits my horse nicely.