One was recommended to me by a saddle fitter for my TB. Has anyone ever used one before? I have never heard of the brand and apparently only two places on the east coast even have them???
It was also recommended to me by a saddle fitter for my TB. Prestige makes nice saddles, but I haven’t seen the Roma yet. I assume we have the same saddle fitter, based on your location. 
The brand is very common and has been around for years, has a good reputation, has long been popular with eventers and showjumpers, etc. The Roma, however, is a fairly new product that’s only been on the market for a few years, so you’ll be hard-pressed to find people who own it yet. Prestige’s products generally retail at $3000 and up, and the Roma is their latest offering for the mid-range market (MSRP $2100, I think). Needless to say, they use the Roma as a gateway drug: a lot of people try the Roma, like it, and then move up to a more expensive Prestige model or a used Prestige saddle. But the Roma itself is a respectable saddle for the price range, and it’s one of the few saddles that retails in that range with a wool-flocked dropped panel. For that reason, it’s a popular fitting choice for TBs, especially among hunter riders who like French and Italian saddle designs but can’t afford Amerigo or a custom wool-flocked CWD.
And yes, there are only two saddleries worth talking to about it: VTO Saddlery and Equestrian Imports. They both offer excellent service and have good fitters on staff (Paul, the owner at VTO and Ann, the owner at Equestrian Imports). Both will treat you well.
That said, if you’ve got about $2100-$2500 to play with, there are myriad other British brands that also offer good fits for TBs and can be had used/demo in that price range. In that neck of the woods, you might call Kitt Hazelton at Panther Run Saddlery re: Albion (esp. the Kontact Jewell if you’re a hunter rider) and the offerings from Loxley; Colleen Meyer at Advanced Saddle Fit re: Detente and some other British brands like Kent and Masters; and Trumbull Mountain Tack Shop re: the Black Country Quantum and Frank Baines. To venture a little further afield, Annette Gavin in Pennsylvania carries a LOT of wonderful demo stock on that price range and is a great fitter (www.allenglishtack.com).
Also, not that I know you or your horse from Adam…but when pressed to name the saddle brand I would personally pursue first, among the British wool-flocked brands, for a typical TB + hunter rider pair, my answer is “Frank Baines.” All the brands I listed are great, but for the aesthetics of the hunter ring and the balance/twists that American hunter riders tend to prefer, I think Frank Baines is doing a great job.
Another “sleeper” suggestion: if they fit your horse, a Dominus, Jaguar, Porsche, or Cobra close contact saddles can be a helluva good deal for a wool-flocked, dropped-panel saddle. They’re cousins, in various ways, to Peter Menet’s Amerigo/Vega lineup–but these four brands were made by Harry Dabbs and are discontinued, so they tend to be very affordable (like, $500-$1000). You do have to shop carefully for one with a sound tree, and you may have to invest in a strip reflock of the wool, but even so you’re likely to come in well under $1300.
Bought one (17/35) for my high/long-withered, short-backed TB almost as soon as they became available and love it. First thing that’s really fit him appropriately (and I’ve had the opportunity to try many, many different makes/models). I find it very comfortable and supportive, as well. Medium deep seat, front and rear blocks… I have the standard flap, but the +2 makes a big difference for a longer-legged rider. Workmanship and leather quality (as is usual for Prestige) is excellent.
The detail that made the biggest difference for the horse is the large amount of clearance down the channel: it’s built high and wide, with panels that compensate for the typical dips behind the scapulas of horses with very high/long withers. (Slightly different from other Prestige models, new or old.) Plenty of room over the withers and, just as importantly, alongside the base of the withers so nothing is being pinched. I’ve also sold 8-10 of these in the past year. It’s now the saddle I reach for first when someone sends me a pic of the typical TB back.
ETA: I do a lot of trail riding and hunter paces, and am as happy in the Roma as I am in my ultra-cushy trail saddle (a Prestige Atena Flaps).
[QUOTE=TBrescue;7272957]
It was also recommended to me by a saddle fitter for my TB. Prestige makes nice saddles, but I haven’t seen the Roma yet. I assume we have the same saddle fitter, based on your location. :)[/QUOTE]
Steven Katz?
I tried the link you put in and its a dead end. However I will shop the English Brands as well, thanks!
I have a Frank Baines Elan for my “typical backed TB” and I LOVEEEEE it. Fits my guy well and I got a wonderful deal on mine. Wool flocked and comfy comfy comfy. I switched riding in a Ashland for about 12 years to this and I’m in heaven.
[QUOTE=EvanescenceTB;7274374]
Steven Katz?[/QUOTE]
No. Janie @ Pelham. We’ve been trying to find a saddle that fits my hard to fit TB AND has a forward enough flap for my freakishly long thigh.
I love Steve! He’s fantastic
[QUOTE=EvanescenceTB;7274380]
I tried the link you put in and its a dead end. However I will shop the English Brands as well, thanks![/QUOTE]
Link for Annett Gavin - for some reason there isn’t much on their used page at this time, probably best to just call & talk with her …
[QUOTE=EvanescenceTB;7274380]
I tried the link you put in and its a dead end. However I will shop the English Brands as well, thanks![/QUOTE]
Annette used to have two or three domains that all pointed to the same site, but http://www.hastilowusa.com/ is usually a sure bet.
