Does anyone know of a French saddle maker or French style saddle maker who does hoop trees? I need a true hoop tree, not a extra wide. His current saddle is a Duett, and it fits him well but all their models aren’t quite right for me.
I know of county but from what I have heard it’s just a very wide A tree, not a hoop tree.
Give up on “French” and make a list of high quality brands that do hoop trees. You’re not ever going to fit a round hoop tree back into a French saddle…I’d plan out your budget so you know exactly the range you can look in, and go from there. County, Black Country, Albion, and Smith Worthington are good places to start.
Do do you have a fitter around to help source and fit a variety of saddles? If you like the French feel, you’re for sure going to want to ride in everything you can! It’s hard to get that feel on sausage horse, haha.
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What about a “U” shaped tree? It was suggested to me for my wide horse. They are custom though. The saddle fitter said the hoop trees are very wide for the rider. I have borrowed a friend’s hoop tree before and there is no way I could jump in that. The “U” shape is the compromise between the two.
Hoop trees are super British, so you will basically only find them in British made saddles, or saddles made by British trained craftsmen. They are very un-French.
Why are you looking for “French style” saddles? Is it about comfort? Is it about having a certain look or lable? Are you looking to fit in?
It’s more the leather quality that is what I am looking for. He goes in a Duett right now. There are a lot of little issues that just make it so the saddle is wrong for me. I’ve tried other Duett models and it just doesn’t work. It’s also for a horse doing hunters, so I would prefer a more traditional shape.
I couldn’t give a darn about the label as long as it is astheically pleasing, the leather is nice, and it fits both of us. I would prefer it to has a ‘French style’ look, as I just find that pleasing to the eye.
I was told that one or two French saddle makers do have a hoop tree, but you special order it, hence the question 
U shaped trees are hoop tress. Hoop tree really is a term that Black Country uses for their tree. It is like Kleenex and tissues. Not sure about Duett, but most of the British companies do have calf skin. It is just an upgrade and not the standard. Black Country is one that I just delivered a french style saddle to with calf leather to a Hunter rider with their new Native tree. It is a more of a shaped hoop tree for horses that are not flat but a little curvy to their back. Other models that may work is Takt 06. I have never heard or seen a French saddle maker with a hoop tree. Feel free to PM if you have more questions.
