I am currently in the market for a new to me, but used, dressage saddle, since I don’t really want to spend $4k on a new saddle, but can afford a used, nicer saddle.
I know Trilogy saddles tend to run small, so while I would normally need a 16.5" seat, I fit in their 17".
Are there other saddles that also run small?
I find that tree sizes and fits vary much more widely than seat sizes. I do size up in Trilogy from 17.5" to 18". Prestige runs big - I can ride comfortably in their 17" or their 18". I find Custom and Black Country pretty true to size.
Lovatt & Ricketts, Duett come to mind as seats that run slightly small. BC, Baines, Albion, County run fairly true. The biggest issue is how steep the pommel and cantle rise are as that will minimize the seat size and what the platform for the seat is in terms of length. In some saddles, there isn’t really much of one so the seat will feel smaller. A very open or shallow cantle and pommel will feel roomier. Some of the Trilogy saddles are deep and will tend to fit smaller.
I have not found any saddle to run large or small, I own 2 Trilogy saddles at the current time. What I have found is that my derrier is usually bigger than I think it is. The tape measure doesn’t lie! YMMV
That said, I realize that thigh length also plays into determining the correct saddle size for the rider.
Not only thigh length but also the deeper a seat, the tighter it will feel.
The Trilogy Debbie versus Trilogy Verago fit differently. The Debbie has a flatter seating area, so some of us can size down.
I had a beast of a time looking for 16.5 inch dressage saddles. Even with a deep seated 17 I slosh around. Appears dressage riders are prone to large butts? Much easier to find the same size jumping saddle.
I currently have a HDR Paris in a 16.5. It’s a nice midrange quality saddle with pretty sizeable blocks and a deep seat.
If you want higher quality Southern Stars makes a pony dressage saddle with a 15.5 inch seat that I really liked.
I’m finding a Bates Isabell used on my lesson horse feels smaller than my own Fairfax. Instructor says the Isabell is 17.5 as is my Fairfax, but I can’t seem to find a satisfactory position in it.
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