Is anyone familiar with the quality of Henri de Rivel saddles? I’m looking at the Pro Revelation model and it certainly seems economical but I’m generally unsure. My horse has a sensitive back and I have very long legs. Opinion?
I have very limited experience with HDR saddles, so I hope someone else will chime in. I know some people like their bridles. An acquaintance of mine has an HDR that he bought several years ago, and as far as I know, he likes it. I’m going to level with you, though: I’ve ridden in it several times, and I find it slippery and uncomfortable. I also am doubtful about the quality. I am not at all snobbish about brand names in tack, but this particular model just looks like a cheap saddle to me. I don’t know about the one you’re considering.
If you have a limited saddle budget, there are options out there. I advise you to work with a saddle fitter, especially if your horse is sensitive. A good quality used saddle from a respected but maybe not-as-popular maker might be a better choice. If you have your heart set on a new saddle, companies like Collegiate or Ovation provide affordable, well-made saddles. Again, fitting both you and your horse will be the paramount consideration.
I have an HDR Pro A/O that we bought because it was the only saddle on the face of the planet that would fit my first horse and didn’t cost $3,000. I’ve owned it for maybe 6-7 years now. It’s holding up ok but definitely my least favorite saddle. It IS slippery feeling no matter how well oiled and clean. I much preferred my Bates until I just recently sold that to purchase a County.
HDR is definitely budget friendly, but you get what you pay for.
I had an HDR Advantage for years, and really liked it. I have a very long femur, and it fit me very well.
I’m under the impression (and someone correct me if I’m wrong), that the older models are a little nicer than newer models. I had a relatively old model (bought it used in 2004), and no one believed it was an HDR.
If you research the models well and select it carefully, I’m sure it would be ok. However, if you are looking to buy a new HDR, it might be better to see if you can sink that money into a used, nicer saddle. A higher-end saddle will hold its value better than an HDR if/when you need to resale.
I have an HDR advantage as well and like it a lot. I was on a budget when I bought it, and it was the best fit that I could find for my horse in my price range. Mine is also an older model, bought used in 2010, though it looked brand-new as it had never really been used.
The leather is not as “sticky” as other saddles, but as it is my only saddle I guess I have gotten used to it and don’t really notice it at all. I have never had anyone else complain when they rode in my saddle that it was too slippery.
I like how it looks a lot–it wasn’t my first colour choice, but when you are buying used you can’t be picky–I show rated shows and don’t feel like its an issue at all.
Of course, I am saving my pennies to buy a really nice saddle now that I am done school and working, but my HDR has served me well and I have no problems continuing to use it until I have the budget for a really nice saddle. I know someone who sold their HDR Advantage to buy something else and regrets it, they liked the HDR better!
Disclaimer though, I haven’t seen the new HDR models, maybe the quality has dropped a bit, I’m not sure. I just know I’m happy with the one I have.
I have an HDR, and had not realized that it was “slippery” and am now going to blame the spate of falls I had in 2010 on that, not at all on the crazy chestnut who really didn’t want to jump, but rather be a cowboy’s trail horse. :winkgrin:
I have an all purpose HDR Rivella. It must be one of the older ones because the leather definitely isn’t slippery. The softer leather on the seat is prone to crackling even though I take good care of it. The knee flaps are nice and soft, but the saddle flaps have worn pretty badly. I do love the saddle, it’s very comfortable, but I wish it had aged a little better.
I too have an older HDR advantage. It is not my favourite saddle, but it fits my horse well, and the flaps fit my legs ok (I am 5’10"). I like it fine for jumping, but not as much for sitting in.
I don’t find it slippery, just not as comfy as my former saddles.
A friend at my barn has the exact same saddle and loves it! It’s super gorgeous for how old it is, too (its pretty old)! They don’t wear that much, with good care, of course. They aren’t squeaky or anything. I almost got one if it would’ve fit me better! 
Also, someone else has a newer version and it isn’t slippery at all! There’s probably three at the barn total, and they are all fantastic saddles!
The new HDR’s come with a pre-oiled leather and are pretty grippy. The seat seems a bit wide (compared to maybe a Pessoa) but very soft. IMO, they are comparable to a Circuit, but closer in “new feel” to a Circuit Pro, which is a nicer more oiled leather.
I don’t care for HDRs - I had one and it was slippery, put me in a poor position (wrong balance), and and wore out very quickly. The Circuits are much better value for their money, fit horses/humans better and seem to last longer too. Just my experience (having owned both), but your experience may vary, the HDR I had was probably a 2006ish model, if that helps at all.
I have a rivella and really like it. It is a little older, bought used and it fits me and my diva well. I would love a high end saddle but this is a very usable and respectable entry level saddle. It looks good and rides well.
I am not a fan of grippy leather. I rode an Antares and every canter stride moved my breeches around. I have to say that besides that (and not coming close to fitting me) it was like getting out of my dodge and getting in a Cadillac. I still lust after a caddie one day.
Mine has held up very well and still looks practically new after 8-9 years. Unfortunately, it is very slippery and has never quite broken in. It was reasonably priced and seems to fit a lot of horses pretty well, but my trainer is begging me to get something else because she says my leg looks totally different and much more stable in other saddles. I have to agree because I can really feel the difference too.
Have HDR as well. Bought new in '05-‘06, for 1k. Out of all the few saddles ive had, has been the better quality. Fits pretty much all the horses ive had it on and fits me well. 5’ tall rider. Dont have a slipping problem that some are saying but at times has me sit more back then i’d like. Otherwise is good saddle to get on a budget.
I have an HDR, Rivella I think, bought around 2005. It fit my mare well and I never thought it was slippery. It fit me well also, but does not fit the thoroughbreds I ride (my mare is a thoroughbred, but she doesn’t have the high withers of most thoroughbreds).
It currently fits my filly, but she may end up wider than her dam so I may need a new saddle eventually.
It has stood up over the years and abuse it has gone through. I did not buy it thinking about resale and will likely give it to my niece if my filly outgrows it and she shows a real interest in horses.
I do not know how the newer saddles would be, though quality over time seems to deteriorate. I got a Collegiate Event saddle in the early 90’s and when I was looking at saddles again in '05, the Collegiate Event just did not look as nice as the one I own.
I had an older model HDR advantage for about 5 years, until I sold it when I sold my old horse. It fit my Dutch gelding (wide barrel, withers weren’t high but weren’t flat either). However, my high withered, Trakehner mare was a different story! I had to use quite a bit of corrective padding when I rode her in it. However, I only rode her in it to jump. The gelding I rode in it all the time because my dressage saddle was too narrow for him.
I’m 5’2", but have long legs for my body, with my femur being the longest, and I found it to put me in a fabulous jumping position! It was fantastic when showing my Dutch gelding in the Eq. ring (on the flat, as well!) I liked how this saddle stays out of the way when you’re jumping.
What I didn’t like about it was the fact that it did take a LONG time to break in and the leather was very slippery, even after it was broken in. I should also add that it had a pencil knee roll, thats it. The good thing about that was, it did force me to build a more solid leg! lol!
I can’t speak to how it would be in the jumper ring, since jumpers aren’t really my thing but I know that on occasion when I would show jumpers, I prefer a deeper seat. This does not have a deeper seat. However, that’s just a personal preference thing.
I think for the money, its a decent saddle. Yes, saddles should fit you, but its equally important that it fits your horse! Don’t assume that a more expensive saddle is going to fit your horse. With any saddle, do your homework!
(Edited to add: when I say it was an “older model” I bought it new, in 2006.)
I have an HDR Pro Jumping saddle I bought new in (I believe) 2006. I’ve never found it to be slippery, and the leather has held up very well, IMHO. The leather on that HDR is more durable than on the Collegiate I bought new (I think that one was purchased in 2010 or so).
The HDR fits my gelding really well, but it didn’t have enough wither clearance for the TB mare I had. Hence the purchase of the Collegiate.
My one and only complaint with the HDR is that it wants to put me in a chair seat if I’m not thinking about it. So, I have to be cognizant that my legs are back where they’re supposed to be.
All in all, I find it very comfortable and durable for the money. I’ve even done 5+ hour trail rides in it, through some thick woods. My bum felt fine and any minor scrapes on the saddle from pushing past branches oiled right out of the leather.
I’d recommend someone looking at them to do a test ride in one to be sure it feels comfortable (I have a friend who it really does not fit, and it throws her forward badly). If it passes that test, and it fits your horse, then I would recommend them as a good bargain-basement type saddle.
I avoid riding in them when at all possible. The ones I’ve ridden in are very, very poorly balanced and incredibly slippery. The leather quality just isn’t there. You’re much better off finding a quality used saddle, these aren’t worth the money. I didn’t find the seat soft at all, quite the opposite.
I rode in an HDR Advantage for a year or so back in 2007ish. I bought it used, sold the horse about a year later, and sold the saddle then too. It was a pretty good saddle for the money - I think I got it for something like $500? Gold for a broke college student! However, I also rode a friend’s horse in a Rivella periodically around the same time and hated that one. Balance was totally different. For the price point it’s at, they seem decent in quality, but I think the opinions on how it rides are all over the map.
