I’m curious about the fit for both horse and rider… I don’t have any experience with Custom Saddlery and have not had much luck researching online to get a basic idea of what type of horses they do well with (this specific model/ line in particular).
YMMV - but I hated the Advantage. Ended up falling in love with the Solo. But my saddle preference has been kindly described by many as riding uphill on the narrow edge of a 2x4. I like a very, very narrow twist. My horse did not particularly care one way or the other for it - but he went like gangbusters in the Solo.
I have no experience with the off-the-rack version, but I’ve had the custom version of the Advantage. It’s a deep seat, but it doesn’t hold you in one place like some of them do. It rides more U than V shaped. The sweet spot in the seat is decent, it gives you a few places to sit. The one I had fit a moderately high wither and was on the curvier side for their trees (which don’t get as curvy as some other brands, imho).
I also did not go the Steffen’s Advantage but rather the custom lines. Used they are similar to the Dover pricing, but also get fitted to your horse by a fitter.
I do not know the differences between the saddles Dover sells and the custom lines…
I have an Advantage Monoflap which worked well on my very uphill built TB when his back was very flat from the end of the withers to top of the croup.
I now have him going in my Advantage R which is more curvy fit, and I have for my older mare who has been injured forever because she enjoys re-injuring herself.
The saddles have high rises and narrow twists with a larger flat spot in the seat than many saddles- the depth of the seat still stays out of the way for me. I’m 5’1", and on my bigger moving youngster the monoflap is not working for me as it was a demo saddle with the standard short block. My knees butt into it because of my shape/leg length, and it locks me in place to be unable to move with my horse, making her resistant to moving and hurting my back. Since my gelding is more uphill, the blocks fit me differently on him. The monoflap has a smaller and more angled block, so it is in front of and not holding my thighs, with knee hitting below it. It is more curvy than my youngsters back, so we are working on an appointment to get her a new saddle. Meanwhile, I’m riding in my old Dresch which is harder to get my legs on with, but which at least works.
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I have one and I sent it back to the factory to be customized to fit my horse, but I adore it!
I also have an Advantage R, bought one after riding in a friend’s. Another friend wants to buy mine (not giving it up!). Very comfortable. I have very long legs and the thigh block is set well. I don’t feel confined, yet feel very secure in it. It stand up well to abuse.
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I have a Custom Advantage with short/angled blocks and narrow twist, and love it! I’m tall, but ride two 15.2 horses. I’m able to ride with a slightly shorter stirrup on them without being pushed out of the sweet spot. It’s also nicely supportive, but not restricting.
This is the only Custom model that works for me. I literally gave away an Icon Star last year because the deep seat and thigh blocks were killing my back and my position. The Advantage is (for me) the best saddle Custom makes and literally the only one I can stand to ride in. The older ones are the best and I’m actually looking for a MW 18" if anyone has one for sale.
Recently learned that the person I bought mine from no longer reps them, citing concerns with customer service and quality. Helped my friend find one on consignment. I agree that older models may be better. Good luck.
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So I had not realized at my initial reply that the Steffen’s Advantages were now being sold by fitters, too. I think they used to be solely sold by Dover.
Anyway, I am trading in an Advantage Monoflap and have an Advantage R which fits two of my horses, so today I was shopping for the youngest. I need a nice flash spot in the seat of the saddle for it to fit right, and where the other advantages had them the Steffen’s Advantage made it super hard for me to find a balance point.
I was specifically looking for a saddle which would not impede the correct motion I need to move with my youngster who is my biggest mover. In that regard this saddle was ok.
I ended up ordering a Gemini with I believe the R1 blocks - the shortest and most angled shape blocks. My tendency when my knees hit blocks (because I’m short, that happens often with thigh blocks) is to get wedged in place and not be able to move with the horse. The Steffen’s Advantage has blocks which are more of a wedge so your legs can go over them so that wasn’t an issue. The Gemini just was more easily and naturally out of my way altogether.
