Prestige Saddle Questions

[Taybee]

I’m in the process of looking for a new saddle to fit my thoroughbred (who’s narrow with high withers) and the independent saddle fitter I had out suggested the Prestige brand would be a good fit for him. I’ve been combing through ads for used saddles but unfortunately I live a bit out of the way, so it’s difficult to test them out in person. I was just wondering if anyone has ridden in a Prestige and could give me some feedback on how they feel before I commit to shipping one in to try.

I’m particularly interested in the Nona Garson, Meredith, Versailles and Roma models but am open to other suggestions! I currently have a 17.5" CWD SE01 (flatter seat) model and occasionally ride in my trainer’s half-deep seat Antares, both of which I find very comfortable but I’m not sure which Prestige model would be most comparable. Also, since the Prestige’s only come in full sizes I’m not sure whether a 17" or 18" would likely fit me better. I’m a hunter rider and usually jump max 3’ if that makes a difference!

[bluepece2]

My daughter rides in one of their pony saddles, the one modeled off of their Paris saddle. I’ve not tried it as it’s about 2” too small for me 😂. I have a friend who owns the Paris and it definitely holds you in place, doesn’t let you decide on your position. I don’t have any experience with any of their other saddles sadly.

[findeight]

It’s not the hot “brand du jour” but everybody I know who has had them liked very much and they wore well. Can’t speak to back shapes, they had SF or Dutch and one had a TB. All showed 3’to 3’6” Hunters at AA level shows. Noted no wear problems and their Pro riders often used their owners Prestige saddle which, IMO, is a bit of an endorsement.

You might want to look at a Luc Childeric too. It’s very similar to Butet, just lacks the brand du jour label. Can’t tell the difference sitting in them and the NA rep is wonderful to work with. They sometimes have used, Running Fox in Toronto. Call them.

[Supakwe]

I have the Prestige Roma for my TB. I do like it a lot but I removed the calf blocks because they were too restrictive for my liking. Best part is the tree can be reshaped and it’s wool flocked. It’s held up nice, looks almost new but it’s only been 2 years or so.

[c0608524]

Your profile says you’re from Toronto. Have you contacted barhs? I know they sell Prestige and have heard great things about their saddle program.

[Tigers_in_Texas]

I have a Meredith and have ridden in a Nona Garson - I love both but prefer the Meredith (although they are very similar). Mine is a medium-wide tree (I think; I got it in 2006) - I had 2 TBs of typical TB build and it fit them perfectly with a sheepskin half pad. I currently have a 17.1 Holsteiner mare and it fits her perfectly with no half pad (saddle fitter confirmed). I find it EXTREMELY comfortable and prefer it to any newer, nicer, higher-end saddle I’ve sat it.

As for rider fit, I am 5’9" about 140# and have LONG legs. I have the 17" with long flaps and it works well. I had one picky clinician years ago tell me the flap could be a touch longer, but it’s never bothered me, and no other trainer has made a similar comment.

Good luck, hope this helps!

[Taybee]

@c0608524

Your profile says you’re from Toronto. Have you contacted barhs? I know they sell Prestige and have heard great things about their saddle program.

I actually moved about 2 hours east of Toronto, but yes I’m definitely keeping an eye on the Bahrs website to see if they have anything used that might work!

[SolarFlare]

@Taybee

I actually moved about 2 hours east of Toronto, but yes I’m definitely keeping an eye on the Bahrs website to see if they have anything used that might work!

Bakers Saddlery also carries Prestige and I think would be closer for you to go sit in the various models?

However, I bought a new Prestige through Bahrs last year (it was a dressage saddle) and was very happy. Liz came to measure and my saddle fit like a glove straight from the factory with not even a tweak needed until the post-break in appointment.

One thing I’ll say is that, at least with the dressage models, that the leather on the Roma was VERY slippery. As in, I sat on it in the store and felt like I was going to slide off a stationary stand. I would want to find out if the jump model Roma is also like that.

You may want to also look at the Passion model. That’s the one I got (dressage version) and it’s a better price point than some of them, but with lovely leather. The price has gone up significantly since I bought mine though - I always thought it was a steal at the former price point!

[fargaloo]

Hey @SolarFlare, I didn’t know you had a Prestige!

I’m in Ontario as well, and bought my Prestige (X-Meredith) from Sprucewood tack. I traded in my CWD (I think it was an SE01?). I love it – much more than my CWD. The CWD felt like way too much saddle – the Prestige is really comfortable, but I don’t feel like I’m sitting on a couch. I’ve gone for 5 hour hacks/hunted in it and just love it. I normally ride in a 17.5” and I have the 17” – I don’t notice any difference in the seat size.

Funny that Luc Childeric came up in the discussion too – I have a Childeric that must be close to 20 years old and is still holding up.

[SolarFlare]

@fargaloo - yes, I splurged last year when I realized my old-school Crosby dressage saddle was too small for me and I was fighting it at the canter. I got the Passion K (monoflap) in brown with ivory stitching - it’s a work of art! Good timing as well because the price of it has gone up $1165 (40%) since I bought it! I knew when I tried out the demo that the leather for the price was really good.

[GucciJumper]

I have a Prestige. It’s a nice saddle and fits my high withered tb. It has the narrow twist, which I like. But honestly it’s one of the most uncomfortable saddles I have ridden in. It’s one of the higher end prestige saddles too. But it has the narrow twist (for me) and it’s the best non custom saddle I have found for my guy.

[Taybee]

@Supakwe

I have the Prestige Roma for my TB. I do like it a lot but I removed the calf blocks because they were too restrictive for my liking. Best part is the tree can be reshaped and it’s wool flocked. It’s held up nice, looks almost new but it’s only been 2 years or so.

Did you find the Roma fit a bit big in the seat? I normally ride in a 17.5 and am not sure if it would be better to size down to a 17" or up to an 18".

[Taybee]

@Tigers in Texas

I have a Meredith and have ridden in a Nona Garson - I love both but prefer the Meredith (although they are very similar). Mine is a medium-wide tree (I think; I got it in 2006) - I had 2 TBs of typical TB build and it fit them perfectly with a sheepskin half pad. I currently have a 17.1 Holsteiner mare and it fits her perfectly with no half pad (saddle fitter confirmed). I find it EXTREMELY comfortable and prefer it to any newer, nicer, higher-end saddle I’ve sat it.

As for rider fit, I am 5’9" about 140# and have LONG legs. I have the 17" with long flaps and it works well. I had one picky clinician years ago tell me the flap could be a touch longer, but it’s never bothered me, and no other trainer has made a similar comment.

Good luck, hope this helps!

That’s super helpful, thanks! I’m 5’5 with average legs so it sounds like the 17" with standard flaps would likely be a good fit.

[findeight]

Seat size in Hunt seat saddles is determined by length of your femur. Length of leg from hip to heel, overall height, weight etc…doesn’t matter. It’s your thigh bone. Im 5’4, trainer was 5’10, her DH was 6’, we all rode the same brand saddle at 17 1/2” because we had the same length thigh. They were just long waisted and long below the knee, Petite me is short waisted and short from knee to ankle. Same length thigh.

Obviously there can be some individual preferences and slight differences in feel between brands but start with the thigh.

[Brutus614]

I had a Prestige Meredith for my TB and LOVED it. I was very sad when it didn’t fit my new baby warmblood.

I would say that this model has a deeper seat than a lot of French brands. It was similar to an Antares I sat in once, though I couldn’t tell you the specifics of that saddle. It rides almost identical to a County Innovation (if that helps at all). I bought mine new from a rep, and upgraded to the calfskin leather which held up extremely well and was very grippy. I typically have had 17.5" saddles, but got the 17" in Prestige and didn’t notice a difference TBH.

[cm2021]

I currently ride my high withered thoroughbred cross in a Prestige. I absolutley LOVE it! Bought a paris classic used that was fairly old and it is still in awesome condition. Im a tall rider and it fits my leg very well unlike other saddles. Doesnt give my mare rubs like other saddles we tried and is pretty comfy. Would definelty recommend.

[Supakwe]

@Taybee

Did you find the Roma fit a bit big in the seat? I normally ride in a 17.5 and am not sure if it would be better to size down to a 17" or up to an 18".

With my previous saddle (cheapy HDR) I wished I had a 17.5 but sitting in the prestige 17 was perfect. My friend who normally needs a 18 does not look out of place or anything in my prestige. Hope that helps!

[MNA12]

@SolarFlare

Bakers Saddlery also carries Prestige and I think would be closer for you to go sit in the various models?

However, I bought a new Prestige through Bahrs last year (it was a dressage saddle) and was very happy. Liz came to measure and my saddle fit like a glove straight from the factory with not even a tweak needed until the post-break in appointment.

One thing I’ll say is that, at least with the dressage models, that the leather on the Roma was VERY slippery. As in, I sat on it in the store and felt like I was going to slide off a stationary stand. I would want to find out if the jump model Roma is also like that.

You may want to also look at the Passion model. That’s the one I got (dressage version) and it’s a better price point than some of them, but with lovely leather. The price has gone up significantly since I bought mine though - I always thought it was a steal at the former price point!

I have the roma all purpose saddle and love how sticky its!! It has the calf skin seat. It’s part of the reason I bought it haha

[lovezehorses]

I have heard good things about prestige fitting thoroughbreds, it seems more tack shops are carrying the saddle brand. Another one I found fit mine well is an Amerigo, and I always get compliments on how comfortable my saddle is.

[SolarFlare]

@lovezehorses

I have heard good things about prestige fitting thoroughbreds, it seems more tack shops are carrying the saddle brand. Another one I found fit mine well is an Amerigo, and I always get compliments on how comfortable my saddle is.

Funnily enough, my jump saddle is an Amerigo (and dressage is the Prestige as mentioned before)! Apparently my TB and I like Italian tack