I hope to have some “saddle in action” pics later if my friend’s photos from today’s clinic came out OK. We had a great ride–I’m still grinning! 
My arab x, however, has a hope of fitting the KM s-series, which is awesome because I love that saddle and would really love to be riding in it again
the K&M we own is used on an arab, but we have not tried the dressage saddles
Black Country. I just bought a BC Vinici mono flap and I adore it. The 2 times I should have fallen right off my horse, that saddle held on tight and we kept on going. BC is British, mono flap, comfy as anything, they make jump and dressage, extra forward flap if you need it, their sales rep on the East coast is fantastic…yes, they are some money but not what they could be. Love love love it.
[QUOTE=alto;6937692]
An what a lovely Beast he is! :yes:
(I’m also admiring your clip job :lol: )[/QUOTE]
Aw thanks! He’s a good egg, and very much deserves a well fitting saddle! He’s a gaited standardbred, so anything that doesn’t quite fit right makes him get quite pacey. In a way, it is great because I know when things are spot on, and when they are not!
DW- please please post those pics when you get them!
I just posted the ones I have at the top of this page. That’s all I’ve got–it is just a saddle, really. They have much better pictures on the website. 
Berney Bros custom fitted their monoflap XC saddle for both my horse and my extra long legs for an extra 100 Euros last year. Can’t say enough great things about their service and the saddle! Plus I think I got it in about two weeks and the whole thing cost approximately $1,100 USD including shipping from Ireland to the east coast.
Soloud - what did you order? I’m thinking I may save up for this one: http://www.heritagesaddlery.co.uk/content/yin-yang-inner-balance-event-saddle-mkii-mkii-ls-large-shouldered-horses - I talked to Matt online and since I tend to gravitate to QH-types, that’s what he recs.
They seem like such nice saddles for the money!
[QUOTE=RolyPolyPony;6940673]
Soloud - what did you order? I’m thinking I may save up for this one: http://www.heritagesaddlery.co.uk/content/yin-yang-inner-balance-event-saddle-mkii-mkii-ls-large-shouldered-horses - I talked to Matt online and since I tend to gravitate to QH-types, that’s what he recs.
They seem like such nice saddles for the money![/QUOTE]
I did indeed order a MKII.
Mine has some modifications-- square cantle, no thigh pad, covered all over (no plain leather). Basically this picture, without the thigh pad: http://www.heritagesaddlery.co.uk/files/NEW%20MONO%20LS%20AND%20SUEDE%20PONY%20SHOW%20(2).jpg
My second saddle is the “Cheshire” dressage model.
Both are short flaps (cause I’m stumpy). I am hoping they will ship tomorrow, I need to ping Matt.
Ohh, now I am extra excited for yours to come in, soloud!!
[QUOTE=Hawks Nest;6884496]
To add to your list of british made saddles, there is the Ideal as well. Rare in the states but very nice saddles. I recently got a brand new Ideal Impala for almost half price and it is lovely. Very nice soft leather, a good forward flap (I usually ride in a 17.5" but I fit nicely in the 17" since there is actually room for my leg)[/QUOTE]
Another vote for Ideal/Crown Impala - lovely saddle, extremely easy to ride in and a great fit for my TB. Purchased slightly used at a great price - one of the best purchases I have ever made.
here are my saddles, for those wondering. They arrived today, roughly 8 weeks after order:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/FeelTheFire/P1030027_zps7b7b5fb5.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/FeelTheFire/P1030031_zps84eace3d.jpg
That is a MKII jump, 17" short flap, covered leather, blocks underneath.
And a Cheshire dressage, buffalo + calf, short flap, 17.5, silver welt. I specifically requested the flag nailheads as the ying yangs really didn’t do it for me.
VERY happy. Thank you to Matt for somehow understanding what I was trying to say and making it happen.
Got my Heritage Olympia Monoflap LS yesterday! Just shy of 3 months from date of order. First impressions: wow- beautiful leather. First sit: so comfy, well balanced. Will ride in it later today - fingers crossed it fits!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/78552930@N07/sets/72157634250186954/
Others to look at include the Ideal http://www.hastilowusa.com/saddles/ideal-saddles/ideal-impala-monoflap.html
Black Country, Also not very cheap, but http://www.vtosaddlery.com/product/US/AKMCSTB.htm
Also, there are many lesser known British makers that do great saddles and are happy to work with US customers. One is http://www.spraggsaddlery.co.uk/Showjumping-105.htm. I bought one of these direct http://rydersaddles.com/saddles/vantage and it was $1150 with shipping to the US. Really a great saddle (although I ended up selling it due to sizing being wrong on the horse I bought it for (my error, not theirs) - should have kept it as I sold the horse 3 months later). You can get a list of Walsall saddlers here and see what they have http://www.walsallequestrian.co.uk/mainpage.htm. You can easily order from several British Tack shops or directly from the saddlers
Parker Saddlery used to be very popular about fifteen years ago. There was a Parker Bruce Davidson Eventing saddle used at the Farmhouse, which I lusted over. You can still buy that model and a monoflap that is similar from here:
http://www.toptani.co.uk/index.htm
They no longer show the prices on the website, but their saddles used to be very reasonable.
I’m in the market for a new saddle and am looking into the Heritage saddles so I thought I would resurrect this thread. For those who have bought one, are you still liking it? Would you buy one again now that you’ve had plenty of time to use it? Particularly those who went with a custom saddle, as that is what I am considering (likely the MKII or a monoflap jump saddle).
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