I’m looking into purchasing a new dressage saddle, and recently met the Prestige rep. I was going to go with the Bates, but it seems prestige saddles are more adjustable (wool flocking instead of CAIR, heat-based tree adjustments). Before I break the bank for a saddle, I’m wondering about people’s opinions on their saddles (in general, not just dressage saddles)
Thanks so much in advance!
I love my Prestige Nona Garson. Beautifully balanced. The leather is top quality.
Loved my Prestige Eventer and I actually ride in one currently - not my saddle but the saddle of the horse I lease at the moment. I had the grippy printed type leather on it and it wore like actual iron. The saddle fit my long femur and was incredibly comfortable. I had the tree adjusted once, which was really helpful not having to buy a whole new saddle. I wished I hadn’t sold it and just put long billets on it, because I personally prefer not having the bulk under my leg.
The one I ride in now had the smoother leather and it is comfortable. It does not have the extra forward flap, but it still works. I feel balanced and it doesn’t get in my way. I always feel secure in the saddle. I like the Nona Garson model and I tried the Passion K which was comfortable too.
I would get one again honestly. I will say I like the jump saddles, but don’t have the same love for their dressage saddles. I like some models and some just are not for me. But I’m a lot more picky about my dressage saddles in general.
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I love my Prestige, they’re nice saddles and they have a huge variety of models so you can really refine the fit for yourself in addition to your horse. The tree and flocking can be adjusted by your rep, and really the adjustability of the saddle is only as good as your fitter - mine is great but not all of them know what they’re doing. I personally don’t love air-flocked saddles and find the wool ones easier to maintain, but that’s more personal preference. If you like the Bates and it fits your horse and budget then there’s really no wrong answer, just buy what you like.
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I had an Eventer that I loved until I could buy my current saddles. I sold it years later for the same I bought it used. Then, I bought a Sinead for my kid last year for that very same price ($1500).
The balance of the saddles is good. The leather quality is good. They are at a good price point and obviously hold their value. See if you can find what you are looking at used, because they are out there.
Loving my Prestige monoflap dressage!
Wonderful saddles! I have 4. (Two new-ish, 2 older.) Mine are jumping saddles. 2 different models. Before I bought the current two I use the most, I tried a few French brands, just to see if there was any reason to change brands. NOPE. The others were not what I wanted, and cost quite a bit more.
I have a herd of horses, different shapes and sizes. Between the two different styles and using slightly different pads, the 2 saddles properly fit all my horses. And fit me.
Granted, I take good care of my saddles. But even though the newer ones are 3-ish years old, they look brand new. I had one of my older ones, reflocked, after using it for years. Didn’t cost all that much to be reflocked. I don’t know if calfskin in general gets slippery, or if Prestige calfskin gets slippery after a bunch of use. But my really old ones have gotten a scooch slippery. So, the last two I bought I went with the Lux leather. Costs more, but it is beautiful, and well worth the additional cost.
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Love love love Prestige. I’ve ridden in my trainer’s newer 2000D and loved it, and then bought a much older Top Dressage model that I also just love, and it had even been widened to 39cm from its original 37cm. Mine, which I’ve had for maybe 15 years now, looks as good as the day it arrived here, and it was well broken-in then.
