Podium Saddles?

I have a friend who has been looking at these saddles and she was interested in trialing one. I’ve never seen one in person but have looked online with her and had some concerns. Primarily, the quality of the craftsmanship, the longevity of a polymer tree, the fit for rider and horse.

Has anyone tried or have a Podium saddle? Any feedback you’d like to provide? (I’ve run a search on here and only found one thread with a less than enthusiastic review.)

Thank you!

Hello! Here in Italy podium saddles are quite common. I’ve had one too for some years (it was a Trek model), these were my impressions:

Pros: Very solid - good quality materials - very light

Cons: it is tight on horse’s shoulders, if your horse has wide shoulders the saddle could press them.
the rider’s balance is very characteristic, the saddle tents to throw you forward and in high and so you always ride in light balance (I hope I explained myself…:o). This is not always confortable when you trail ride for many hours.
Last but not least the seat is quite hard, I suggest you to use it with a soft cover

I bought one used and sold it again after using it for 2 weeks. I hated it. I felt like I was sitting on top of ten telephone books!

I have a Setzi now and I love that saddle, precisely because I feel I am almost sitting IN the horse instead of balanced on top of it.
-Lisa