First, let me say that Kate Wooten is the real deal. She lets you try different brands of saddles, used and new. She is not a hard sell. She is truly interested in getting the saddle that fits you and your horse. I know this, because I have been had by other saddle fitters, who only wanted to sell me the latest design of their brand, ie: County.
I have bought 2 custom saddles. One was from County, who talked me out of an Extreme, for the brand new style, Conquest. I had bought an used Extreme for my Appendix QH. I sold it with him, because saddle quests are a PIA. I called the Country rep to get an Extreme made for my new mare. They pushed the Conquest. It did not fit me, nor, eventually, her. Their fix was to buy an expensive pad, with shims. I sold it.
I listened to a friend, who told me that Richard Castelow was the way to go. Big Bucks!! The saddle fit my mare, but did not fit my long thigh. I need a more forward flap, when my stirrups are up for cross country. When I put my stirrups up to the correct length, my knee was over the front of the flap. When I went to Mr. Castelow, I got a lecture about how Jimmy Wofford, nor George Morris understand how a rider’s leg position should be when jumping! If I could use any of the similes, it would be incredulous!!
I bought a Pessoa monoflap, for my OTTB mare. It fits her and has room for my leg to have short stirrups. The balance point for my galloping position is spot on. I paid $2,500 for it. I will never trust Custom saddles again, unless Kate Wooten is selling it, of course. Insert wink!
