I’m curious, too. I had an Isabell (I recently said it was a pro, I don’t know why I said that - I LOVED this saddle) and have a Wintec jump saddle. I’ve always thought the plates were really good because I could borrow the same size saddle from others and they worked. I also have a Thorowgood someone gave to me but accepts the wintec plates. Plate sizing seems pretty standard.
so I ended up getting the Wintec Wide Pro Dressage. Have not changed out the standard 2xw gullet (think I’m going to need the 4xw but wanted to try it out first before fussing with the gullets). So far it’s super comfortable. It of course does not lock you in if that’s the type you are looking for, it’s more of an open seat but for once my leg is the right position and the twist seems to be on the narrow side for such a wide saddle. It may be very, very slightly tipping me forward. And while I would prefer a surface block, this saddle will do for now because the price is right and it’s for a horse I am just lessoning on.
In my experience, the Pro will allow you to tip, but doesn’t force you to tip. It’s all, “Whatever, you go ahead and eventually you’ll get over yourself.” I like that for young/weak horses! When they get strong and you tell yourself it’s time to sit tf up, you will find no resistance from it at all. That said, like any saddle, if your stirrups are not the correct length they will help you find a tipped position.
good point! most of the time when I blame the saddle or the horse, it’s me doing something I shouldn’t haha
If the saddle ends up not working you might try a Duett. Both my x- wide mare and myself (I’m not extra wide) are extremely happy with the one I bought on Ebay a couple years back.
I had a Wintec wide and I just didn’t care for the position it put me in and my mare did ok, but I see a huge difference in her now with the Duett. It is very comfortable for me as well. I just always felt like I was off balance.
They are affordable and appear well made.
Also, the old style Isabell was made in Australia. Bates has since moved manufacturing–including of the “new” Isabell–to Vietnam, which might account for more quality control issues.
Haha this thread is timely–I wanted another old style Isabell–gotta buy used now and they are getting harder to find–was reminded because of this thread to check eBay, and lo and behold–there was one in my size, just listed
Another thing I really, really like about the Isabell, at least the original (not sure of the new style) is that the stirrup bars are set far enough back. On too many dressage saddles, the bars are IMHO too far forward.
that’s exactly the issue I was having with M. Toulouse is the forward stirrups were putting my knees on top of the blocks. Unfortunately the Isabell was not an option for me because I don’t believe it can accommodate the XXW gullets, so had to go with the Pro.