Opinions on Prestige D1D dressage saddle

[tbluvr]

I’m searching for the opinions of your horse and yourself on the Prestige D1D Zero dressage saddle. I’m trying this saddle again for for the 2nd time in three weeks. I have a young tb who’s short coupled and has a big shoulder. I love Passier and have been riding in a Optimum, but it no longer fits him. I tried the Optimax last week to be met with pinned ears, as it sat right on top of his shoulder. The D1D fits very well and balanced per my saddle fitter, but before I go broke LOL, I’m very interested in hearing what you guys have to say! Thanks so much.

[BigMama1]

I switched to this saddle last year after going through three other saddles in four years in an attempt to find something that both fit my horse and worked for me. I ADORE it. There are now 5 people in my barn with either the D1 Zero or the D1K Zero (mono flap). It seems ideal for short-backed horses yet also works for horses like mine, whose back is the length of a school bus. It particularly seems to work well for big shouldered horses who struggle with keeping other saddles in place. If you’ve tried it and your horses likes it, then go for it!

[myhorsefaith]

LOVE this saddle, also love the newer D2- which if you want a deeper seat, go with that one! I sold mine because i needed to go wider than the mediums that I had. I’ll eventually get another one or 2, though, all 3 of my horses love them.

[Unfforgettable]

Bumping this up…I have a new pony, and am very interested in trying one of these also. However…will the tree work with a curvy/dippy back, or are the panels pretty straight? I don’t want it to bridge, and I’ve liked the Prestige saddles I’ve ridden in the past. Thanks!

[fanfayre]

@Unfforgettable
Definitely for the curvy back, NOT for the straight back!

[no.stirrups]

It sounds a really lot like a Harry Dabbs Future dressage saddle. The Dabbs is a few hundred dollars less if you stick with the calf leather as on the Prestige, or if you choose one of the other leather options you can get it for as little as $3150.

[Unfforgettable]

@no.stirrups

It sounds a really lot like a Harry Dabbs Future dressage saddle. The Dabbs is a few hundred dollars less if you stick with the calf leather as on the Prestige, or if you choose one of the other leather options you can get it for as little as $3150.

Thanks…checked it out on the Harry Dabbs web page, and only saw jumping saddles…plus it really isn’t a similar design at all compared to the Prestige.

[NotAtTheBarn]

I have a D1 for sale. Great saddle!

[Unfforgettable]

@no.stirrups

Yeah, the website isn’t helpful because every saddle they make is different, there aren’t set models, there are lots of trees and options and whatever options you want they will incorporate into your saddle. The Avant tree is the one designed for TBs specifically after much research with trainers and physios. The Future panel increases shoulder freedom and can be put on any saddle.

Here are some pics that show the similarity I referred to. I put the Prestige in the middle between two Dabbs saddles, one a dual flap and one a monoflap. Both have a similar shape with upswept panels. The Prestige flap is a bit straighter, but changing a flap is easy. I selected a short block for the monoflap but there are several different blocks available.

Again, thank you for the reply. I’m not talking about just the shape of the seat and the flaps and the upswept panels. Lots of Prestige models are similar to the Dabbs examples you gave . The tree on the Prestige D1 is unique as is the front panel and the front billet arrangement as well as the insets in the seat…the X technology is a large part of the appeal to me.

[no.stirrups]

Just offering options that have the features mentioned by the OP, that fit the type of horse she’s trying to fit.

[BigMama1]

@Unfforgettable

Again, thank you for the reply. I’m not talking about just the shape of the seat and the flaps and the upswept panels. Lots of Prestige models are similar to the Dabbs examples you gave . The tree on the Prestige D1 is unique as is the front panel and the front billet arrangement as well as the insets in the seat…the X technology is a large part of the appeal to me.

A year in and my horse and I are still loving the D1 Zero!

[Rooty]

I trialed a few different used Prestige saddles this winter, and while I can’t remember model names, I loved the ride in all of them. Unfortunately none were a good fit for my horse.

[Unfforgettable]

OK, almost ready to pull the trigger on this one. One final question: Seat size. I know that in some Prestige models (and I know they do not do half sizes) a 17 usually measures 17.5. How do the seat sizes run? I tend to lean toward a seat that doesn’t lock me in, and if this runs to a 17.5, that’s probably what I’ll go for. (short legs, big butt, but getting less so. )