If you're going to spend $7k+ on a saddle...

[right_horse_at_the_right_time]

@atl_hunter

My trainer has the Equipe Viktoria and I fell in love with it the moment I sat in it. The balance of their saddles is really incredible and my horse loves their carbon fiber tree. We also ride him in the EVO when jumping and I just can’t say enough good things about their carbon fiber line. I’ve been riding in Voltaire, which I absolutely LOVED, that is, until I sat in the Equipe. I feel like the contact is just better w/the Equipe. The saddles are a little less “posh” than Voltaire and feels a little harder in the seat (you won’t squish into the seat), but I prefer that contact.

I have two Viktorias (one for sale) and LOVE LOVE LOVE them. I had the second one made with a forward flap and shorter blocks. Horses go great in them.

[BigMama1]

@LadyB

Christian Lowe hasn’t been with Paramount for quite a few years now. Depending on your year of your saddle, it might make a difference. He was the original saddler on these ones The people who purchased Paramount I wouldn’t say are of the same quality.

I am personally a big fan of Prestige. For the cost of the saddles, you can customize at no extra cost. They are excellent quality, I am going on 5 years, and they still look brand spankin’ new. Plus they are wool flocked. They are a mid range price bracket.

I’ve heard horror stories of CWD, as someone posted above I would avoid foam panels. Antares is more about the fit of the rider and they don’t care much about the fit of the horse. Lovely saddles, but not what I’m looking for when fitting my horse.

I’ve never heard anything bad about Albion or County. Equipe has some excellent saddles as well.

My Paramount was made by John Banbury and that’s who I’ve been dealing with for fitting and service. He’s been fantastic.

[sheltona01]

Martina,

That really is not enough information for me to make recommendations. For example, flat, curvy, angular, board, ect for the horse? That does not even take into account what you would want in a saddle.

For me, I have a trailer that holds 50+ saddles. So I would just bring it and I have some of every brand I carry. I would statically fit the horse in the cross ties. Then have you ride in one or two. I would then start pulling saddles based on feedback from your horse and you.

[enjoytheride]

I like the Bliss saddles, they build the saddle from scratch for you and the horse. In the lower price ranges they have the Loxley and Cavaletti. You’re paying for the experience of the fitter, a bad fitter and your saddle will never fit.

[redsoxluvr]

I have sold <> 30 saddles in the last 10 years and I can say without hesitation - 1. Boutique saddles are something you will always, always, always lose money on. 2. An SMS certified saddle fitter is worth the hassle/money. 3. Buy used whenever you can.

[netg]

I will echo finding a good fitter.
I have Custom saddles because of the fitter who I absolutely love. We don’t have much in the way of saddle fitters here- I remember the days our local tack store did fittings and helped us figure out the right saddles. Now we don’t even have a local tack store.
my Customs have each been under $500/year in cost to me because they worked so well, and look to have many more years left. I have seen folks who don’t want to spend the money on a fitter throw away far more than that per year due to an inability to find a saddle which fits. But you have to have a good fitter.

[Jealoushe]

@BigMama1

I’ve heard that too, but personally have had nothing but superb service from them.

wish I could say the same, I had to fight tooth and nail to get a prize I won from them for a series they sponsored

[LadyB]

@mvp

FYI, the wool used in Prestige isn’t the white (or even brown) fluffy virgin stuff you see in most saddles. There are some YouTube videos showing some of their panels cut open. But you can feel the difference from the outside as well.

Otherwise, OP, I can’t think of an English custom saddler that I would trust to make me a saddle for $7K. What I mean is that that is a helluva lot of money and chances are that you will not be able to sit in exactly the combination of tree, block at seat options that you’ll get. I think most people spending that amount of money want a really precise or unique combination of features. To have a saddle fitter say “Trust me” (but have nothing in writing that would have all my money returned if the imagined saddle doesn’t work) is too high-risk for me.

That said, I would buy an expensive saddle that I had been given a chance to ride in for a bit. In this respect, I think Custom Saddlery does a pretty good job. They seem to have a generous trial policy which goes some of the way toward helping the customer have confidence in the saddle she chooses.

Yup its not true virgin wool, its their synthetic wool, but my saddle fitter works with it no problem.

[bathsheba8542]

Ann Forrest at Equestrian Imports in FL is a great resource for saddle fitting and purchase. She also has a great rental or lease program, if you want to go that route.

[Jealoushe]

@bathsheba8542

Ann Forrest at Equestrian Imports in FL is a great resource for saddle fitting and purchase. She also has a great rental or lease program, if you want to go that route.

Second Ann. She does all our saddles and we have never had an issue.

[tabula_rashah]

I have worked quite a bit with Jan and Tilsa of Hulsebos Saddles. They are awesome!

[soloudinhere]

I have been with custom for several years now. You’d have to really go all out to get a saddle from them to the $7k price point but because they are so generous with their trade in program, I have been able to get a new saddle for me and my horse as he and I have processed for such a minimal cost. I’m very loyal to them and my fitter (Kyrena Parkinson) because of it.

[Bensmom]

Just chiming in to give a shout out to Frank Baines Saddlery – I have two that were built to fit my horses, and one that Frank picked out of something that was already made that he knew would fit my mare, because he’d built her dressage saddle. And she’s tough to fit – all were under 3k. I think their prices have gone up a little since I got mine, but you can still order it just like you like for around 3k - Quality is fantastic, and if you have a good independent saddler they work with, you will have the best service here.

I spent a couple of hours with Frank at Rolex in 2008, and he was really good at judging what both the rider and the horse needed. He has mostly retired now, but if you can find one or a saddler that works with them, it is an excellent, well made choice. I have two very different dressage models from them and love them both. I was delighted when my narrow medium one fit my new horse. I was like a kid at Christmas! They don’t get a lot of press here, and you don’t always see many of them, because they used to be available mostly through retail outlets not really associated with reps or fitters.

They have an awesome “build a saddle” simulator on their website now, and it is SO much fun to choose the different leathers and trims. When it is time to replace Jr.s jump saddle I will choose the model that fits him best and then have one made with the pretty trim! https://www.frankbaines.com/bmb/

[KyrieNZ]

WOW saddles. Completely adjustable. Designed by riders for riders. The research is second to none, and they’re so innovative.

WOW Saddles - WOW Saddles

[beowulf]

@KyrieNZ

WOW saddles. Completely adjustable. Designed by riders for riders. The research is second to none, and they’re so innovative.

http://www.wowsaddles.com/

What research? (Genuine question)

[soloudinhere]

@KyrieNZ

WOW saddles. Completely adjustable. Designed by riders for riders. The research is second to none, and they’re so innovative.

http://www.wowsaddles.com/

Definitely not designed by riders who like close contact - the twists on these are a mile wide. I had one because nothing else fit my connemara for awhile.

[islgrl]

@Bensmom

Just chiming in to give a shout out to Frank Baines Saddlery – I have two that were built to fit my horses, and one that Frank picked out of something that was already made that he knew would fit my mare, because he’d built her dressage saddle. And she’s tough to fit – all were under 3k. I think their prices have gone up a little since I got mine, but you can still order it just like you like for around 3k - Quality is fantastic, and if you have a good independent saddler they work with, you will have the best service here.

I spent a couple of hours with Frank at Rolex in 2008, and he was really good at judging what both the rider and the horse needed. He has mostly retired now, but if you can find one or a saddler that works with them, it is an excellent, well made choice. I have two very different dressage models from them and love them both. I was delighted when my narrow medium one fit my new horse. I was like a kid at Christmas! They don’t get a lot of press here, and you don’t always see many of them, because they used to be available mostly through retail outlets not really associated with reps or fitters.

They have an awesome “build a saddle” simulator on their website now, and it is SO much fun to choose the different leathers and trims. When it is time to replace Jr.s jump saddle I will choose the model that fits him best and then have one made with the pretty trim! https://www.frankbaines.com/bmb/

I have a Baines also, it was built for my horse (shorter upswept panels, wider gullet…) Paid roughly $3K for it. It is really really nice. I will buy from them again if I ever have to get another saddle. But I hope I don’t, I love this one!

[Bensmom]

@islgrl

I have a Baines also, it was built for my horse (shorter upswept panels, wider gullet…) Paid roughly $3K for it. It is really really nice. I will buy from them again if I ever have to get another saddle. But I hope I don’t, I love this one!

I just lost a bit of time on the Build My Baines section of the website. Sigh. I don’t NEED another saddle, but the one I designed is really pretty!

And I just really appreciate the craftsmanship. My Omni is 12 years old now, and I’ve had billets replaced and had some other work done (don’t let your serge panels hang out near mice, kids!) but other than that, it still looks terrific!

[ivy62]

I have not read the entire thread so I apologize if I am repeating something already said. At that price point the only saddle I would look at is a Stackhouse. Custom to you and your horse with imppecable workmanship

[eponacelt]

@soloudinhere

Definitely not designed by riders who like close contact - the twists on these are a mile wide. I had one because nothing else fit my connemara for awhile.

I sat in a WOW saddle at a horse show. My nether regions yelled in protest, and I can’t imagine riding in one. And I’m not one that can’t handle a wide twist. My favorite saddle has a relatively wide twist. But those saddles are next level wide.