A friend is selling her Fairfax monoflap and I’m not very familiar with the brand other than it is made in England. Anyone have an opinion on them quality wise? I might be in the market.
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Our local independent saddle fitter loves them. For a certain price point I know she markets them quite a lot although she works with a lot of other brands too. I have a family member that just bought one and absolutely loves it so far.
I know my saddle fitter said she likes the quality of them compared to other adjustable saddles in that price point. They are wool flocked which I know she loves.
I have a Kent and Masters (same maker, mines a lower price point) and overall have been happy so far.
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I have a Thorowgood T8 jump saddle that I absolutely love. AFAIK Fairfax is just a level above Thorowgoods and are essentially the same saddle make, hence why I am replying. I have ridden in an HDR, a Stubben, and a Sommer on my current horse and I have to say the Thorowgood fits me the best and is super comfortable to ride in. I also really like the interchangeable gullet system as my guy has large shoulders and can need something a little wider at times or sometimes a little smaller depending on the time of year. I would definitely get another one of these saddles. The build quality on it is great as well. The leather has been soft and supple since day one. I ordered through Hastilow US (https://www.hcsusasaddlery.com) and the customer service was next level. I highly recommend the brand.
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So actually the Fairfax is two steps above the thorowgood as far as quality and price point. Thorogood is the cheaper than Kent and Masters and then Fairfax.
From what I’ve seen so far and the relative price points I think they are all well made compared to some of the other adjustable saddles on the market.
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Interesting! I knew they were the bottom of the brand but I wasnt sure where the other two fit. Thanks!
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I love my Fairfax. I bought it as a used saddle 5 years ago and it still looks great. I love the adjustability. Some times we tweak the flocking…other times we switch the gullet depending on how in (or out of!) shape he is. We just go from a medium to a medium wide it vice versa. But sometimes that change seems to keep him happy. I have the cob dressage (older model, no longer available)
It’s never needed a repair (my fitter sold it new to the person I purchased it from)
ETA: we tried a Thorowgood jump saddle on my guy, but we could get the right fit for me (not Ponysaurus)
Oh, okay. I have both a K&M and a Thorowgood the K&M is my jump saddle and the TG is my dressage. So far, I’ve been really happy with both and like being able to have them fit to my horse as he too changes shape during the year.
Yes, all three are the same conglomerate. Sorta of like how Horseware Ireland has Amigo, Rhino and Rambo lines.
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I had a Fairfax Gareth for a few years. It was a nice saddle and still looked great after a few years of use (I used their recommended Rapide products). I had no issues with it, my horse just changed too much. I’d own one again.
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I have had a Fairfax classic jump for about 9 months now, bought it new for my Tb with huge withers. My saddle fitter recommended we try it and it was the first saddle (of many) that both my horse and I liked (obviously that doesn’t necessarily mean you or your horse will like it).
I can’t comment on long-term durability yet but I have no complaints so far. The flocking (according to saddle fitter) is made of a certain kind of fiber that is supposed to hold its shape better. The leather is not the “soft” leather you see on some of the French saddles, it doesn’t scratch as easily and it isn’t as “sticky” (hopefully that makes sense)
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Hoped this saddle to work for me. But it didnt on my horse. I have a fairfax girth that I like but am not particularly confident in their quality.
They don’t have great fitters of anything in the US and don’t respond to inquiries. That’s a red flag for me.
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Hmm I beg to differ on the fitters. I am one of multiple fitters that work with Fairfax around the United States. They are actually pretty picky on who they accept to represent them. Also they stopped taking fitters a few years ago because they can’t hardly keep up with their current demand. I do know that they send us contacts and such when people email them because i get some of those emails. They try to send them to the nearest fitter. But they are Brits and their geography can be a little questionable at times.
Yes Fairfax owns Thorowgoods and Kent &Master. However their are differences. The Performance lines are completely different designs.
If you have any questions, just let me know and I will do my best to answer. However I am on a big saddle fitting trip and will be a little slow in responding.
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Yeah the fitter that I use who works with them (and other brands) is great and well regarded.
FWIW, I wasn’t hugely impressed with the girth quality (tried one but it was like 4-5 years ago). The saddle quality was fine.
Hi, I live in the Richmond, VA (Mechanicsville) area and would love to have my Fairfax Andrew Hoy fitted. Do you know of anyone in this area?
I know it’s an older
I know this is an older thread but… I think Hastilow falls in there in between Kent and Masters and Fairfax. I think!
FWIW, I have two Hastilows and just last year got a Fairfax World Class dressage saddle. I am NOT a dressage rider, the only other dressage saddle I’ve sat in and actually not been distractedly uncomfortable was my vet’s Trilogy and sweet baby jesus it was nice, but I love my Fairfax in terms of comfort and feeling really secure. I’m keeping it around to have it fitted to my baby horse, but the other horse I bought it for loved it and moved really well in it for the 20 or so rides he had in it. That comfort level is the only reason I kept it, I plan on making it a nice trail riding saddle once the baby horse is older and broke, otherwise it would have been easy to sell to pay for some of those vet bills…
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I sent you a PM!
Hastilow are not built on the same tree as the majority of the Fairfax saddles. They are good saddles, but not the same.
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Thank you for the clarification! Are they completely separate from Thorowgood, Kent and Masters?
Hastilow is a separate brand. They are built on one verison of the tree that is used in a few of the models. One if the differences is that Hastilow has options. Fairfax, Kent and Masters and Thorowgoods are what they are with very little choices.
It is not uncommon for multiple brands to use the same tree for complete different designs. Seriously completely different even with the same tree. Hastilow and Fairfax brands both have merit. You just need to figure out what works best for your situation.
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