Help with Voltaire Adelaide saddle fit please and thank you so much!

[BRadic5]

Hi all! I currently ride in a custom palm beach (17in seat 2A flaps) for a high withered horse (5” gullet with pro panels) but am dipping my toes into dressage and looking to get a used Voltaire dressage saddle until I’m ready to go custom.

I am wondering if anyone can tell me if my flap or seat sized would change or fit for the horse ? Seat I’m assuming probably size up 1/2 in. Flaps I don’t have any idea. I am 5’5/6 I have about a 31in inseam with the top and bottom portion of my legs being close to the same. Thank you!

[Bogey2]

I have a long thigh so the seat size I am comfortable in is 15 1/2 or 15 3/4 depending on the saddle. The saddle fitter should guide you in this or discuss with a dressage trainer. I am 5.4 118 pounds but all leg.

[Pico_Banana]

Saddle fit is so individualized that you just need to try a bunch and see what you like. Personally, I like a roomy seat, a wide twist, and shorter thigh blocks. I’m 5’4” with a longish leg/femur. I can fit in a 16.5 seat but prefer at least a 17.5 if not an 18 because I don’t like feeling stuck in place. Also, the height of the cantle matters - a more open seat let’s me feel more comfortable in a smaller seat size.

I tried a horse one time whose saddle was a Custom Icon Star in a 16.5 seat with long, big thigh blocks. It was fine as long as I wasn’t moving. But once I started riding, I felt like I was completely stuck in place with glue. I hated it but others loved it so go figure.

[SonnysMom]

I am 5’3. I am long hip to knee. I have had 3 different Voltaire Adelaide’s for 4 different horses. You need to ride in it. I am a 16.5 or 17 with a forward flap in a jump saddle. I briefly rode in a 16 in jump saddle but my knee was at the very edge of the flap. My Adelaide’s have been 17.5 or 18. One was even a long flap but the blocks worked for me.

[CanteringCarrot]

@Pico_Banana

Saddle fit is so individualized that you just need to try a bunch and see what you like. Personally, I like a roomy seat, a wide twist, and shorter thigh blocks. I’m 5’4” with a longish leg/femur. I can fit in a 16.5 seat but prefer at least a 17.5 if not an 18 because I don’t like feeling stuck in place. Also, the height of the cantle matters - a more open seat let’s me feel more comfortable in a smaller seat size.

I tried a horse one time whose saddle was a Custom Icon Star in a 16.5 seat with long, big thigh blocks. It was fine as long as I wasn’t moving. But once I started riding, I felt like I was completely stuck in place with glue. I hated it but others loved it so go figure.

Are you me? Because I have the same preferences I can’t go too wide on the twist, but I’ve sat in a few that were too narrow.

Dressage saddles are so personal. I think it’s because we spend a lot of the time really riding in the saddle. Not up out of the saddle. If that makes any sense. I’m very particular about my dressage saddle. I have to sit in them.