I’m quite new to English riding, as I recently switched over from western pleasure. I’m looking to buy a saddle just to get started with some flatwork and teensy jumps. I was looking at some HDR saddles online and noticed that some of them look to be very nice, but they have HDR saddles labelled as “vegan” that are only around $375 new. It would be odd for a reputable brand to push out poorly made saddles, but I can’t imagine getting much if I’m paying less than i would for a wintec. Are HDR saddles an okay choice to start off with? What are some good middle-priced brands for a beginner? Forgive my ignorance, I don’t know much about English English saddles. 
The HDR Pro A/O is a nice saddle, as are some of the other models in that price range. The super cheap models are, well, super cheap. But…
When you’re looking for a saddle, price is only one consideration. It needs to fit you, and - just as importantly - it needs to fit your horse. One definitely does not fit all, so it’s hard to recommend what brand to try without seeing you or your horse.
Buy a higher quality saddle second hand. Work with an independent saddle fitter to find a good shape for your horse and then have it reflocked for a perfect fit.
You will be miles ahead of spending the same total amount on a cheap or medium range saddle.
You can get good used saddles under $2000 even under $1000 such as Stubben, County, Passier, Black Country, that sell new in the $4000 to $5000 range.
I myself would not want any English saddle that I’ve seen that retails new in the $1000 to $2000 range.
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I have to agree with Scribbler. Buy yourself a nice second or third hand saddle. I got a really nice saddle that sells for $2500 new, for $600. You just have to look for deals and be ready to buy when one pops up. Good luck OP.
Definitely go with a used saddle and one that fits you and your horse. It’s not that hard to find a saddle that retailed for $3K plus for under $1k and you are generally getting something that is made better and last longer.
There are always a few exceptions to the rule. When I needed a saddle for my big mare, who got too “fluffy” last winter to fit into her jumping saddle with a fixed tree, I bought a Wintec D’Lux to get her through the transition as it comes with a full set of interchangeable gullets. It’s a surprisingly comfortable and balanced saddle that I bought used for about $600.
There are also brands that are not popular in the US that you can pick up for short $ used: Kieffer is an excellent German brand, Jeffries is a very good English brand, but they don’t have the same name recognition in the US. Jeffries made a monoflap saddle called the JMX that I think was as nice as the top French saddles and you can find for close to $1k used.
If you have not bought an English saddle before, it’s an excellent idea to work with an independent saddle fitter to make sure the saddle fits your horse and you. Try not to use a rep for a brand as they will push that type of saddle. A good independent fitter will help you understand what shape/size tree works for YOUR horse and can recommend brands of saddles that will work for you.
I had an HDR dressage saddle for a number of years, full leather and wool flocked and it was a fine saddle and looked nice. It wasn’t a long-term good fit for my growing horse or me. I’ve also had a few HDR bridles that were very good for their budget price point (e.g., not a bridle that will last a long time looking better with age).
However, vegan saddles are going to be non-leather and not wool flocked.
I personally always prefer wool flocked for adjustability and think leather cleans up better than synthetic.
Have you tried or ridden in either the Kieffer or Jeffries? Kieffer is insanely cheap on eBay if shipped from Europe, as a lot of European models are. I may be in the market for a saddle soon as my old Thorowgood Maxam only seems to work for my previous horse and I. I want something cushy as that seat is pretty soft but also don’t want to spend more than $700 on a saddle right now. I am totally fine buying used as I would rather have a good saddle than a new saddle.
I liked my HDR saddles, I bought them both used. Eventually I got a horse that didn’t fit them so they were sold.
A barnmate had an HDR saddle, and I rode in it a couple of times while exercising her horse for her. I did not like it. The seat was of some composite material, and it was very slippery. I do not know what model it was. If you want a non-leather saddle, there are better options. But I’m not sure from your post that is your top priority.
I second the posts above recommending that you look for a good-quality used saddle, and that you work with a saddle fitter to make sure the saddle fits your horse and you.
I had a used HDR jump saddle a while back and I liked it a lot. I sold it because it didn’t fit the horse I bought. I replaced it with a used Collegiate Convertible Diploma saddle and I just adore that saddle, it was the most comfortable jump saddle I’ve ever ridden in and was the softest, grippiest leather ever. It helped that the person I bought it from took impeccable care of it, and I did my best to continue that care level. I’ve switched to dressage and, though I hope to jump again some day in the future, I just sold it to a friend this past summer. It was a 17", I really need a 17.5"-18" for enough leg room when in jump position. I was very, very sad to see it go.
To each their own, but I find saddles that retail around $1000 to be just fine. I do not like Pessoa’s, at all. I rode in a Devoucoux on a friend’s horse that I just hated. People always asked if my Collegiate was a County, including several people that rode in it trialing a jumper I had for sale last year.
I don’t do synthetic saddles, so no vegan.
I definitely suggest wool flocked, so the fit can be adjusted.
Yes, I own a Kieffer Norbert Koof FL and two Jeffries JMX monoflaps, one for each of my horses. I really like the JMX. I paid $700 for the Kiefer and between $800-$1200 for the two Jeffries saddles. I always buy used. I have bought some “bigger name” saddles in the past but for jumping, I like the JMX more than most. The Kieffer is technically a jumping saddle but I use it mostly for hacking and jumping very small fences. One of the nice things about the Kieffers is that they have a resin tree and can be adjusted using an infrared system.
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There are plenty of good saddles that don’t come with a 4 digit (or 5) price tag! We have several made in Argentina that people LOVE and are incredibly comfortable and were less than a thousand.
OP - do you have a used tack shop near you? Go and sit in a bunch. See what fits you the best. Then take those options and see what fits your horse.
ETA - I would avoid synthetic or vegan at all costs. Real leather will be a lot more comfortable for you and horse, not get slippery, etc.
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