Ideal do have a more friendly price point, especially used. The inventory of used Ideal saddles isn’t as plentiful in the US as it is in the UK, but definitely a brand to consider.
I really wanted to try a T&T model for my young horse, but alas, I could not find anyone that sells Ideal to come out my way.
In no way am I saying that I am some sort of pinnacle of equitation, but I am 5’1", petite in height but not petite in the size of my thighs and ass, and I am roughly 4-5 holes different in dressage length versus jump length. If I rode in my dressage saddle in my jump stirrup length I would most certainly be over the flap.
OP, I ride in a Thorowgood T8 high wither. I wish that it wasn’t the high wither version, as I don’t need that additional clearance now, but I have never had issues with the twist and I HATE even a slightly wide twist. At their price point you could buy new, but I see them used all the time.
That’s a bummer. In addition to finding a saddle I liked, I am super fortunate to have connected with a GREAT fitter. My horses are very happy about this.
I personally like the simplicity of how Ideal made these saddles (my daughter has an Ideal jump saddle as well), and how they focused on fit for horse and rider, and decent quality leather, but didn’t bother with unnecessary bells and whistles, so to speak. They aren’t hard & uncomfortable saddles, like some practical brands of yesteryear, but are built well and should last a long time with routine reflocking as needed and proper care. As beautiful as some of the French brands are, and as nice as the calf skin leather is… they are not built to last in the same way. And saddles are sooo expensive now… I just am much happier with Ideal. But I’m a boring and practical tack purchaser.
I’m 3-4 holes different between jump and dressage. If I’m just doing small cavaletti in the arena in my jump saddle, or hacking, I ride a hole longer to encourage myself to sit taller and open my hip. It’s an ongoing struggle, and I try not to revert to comfortable shorter stirrups unless I’m actually jumping something real.
With that said…. balance is key. If my jump leathers are too long, I don’t balance properly in my jump tack. And… if my dressage leathers are too short, I don’t balance properly in my dressage tack either. So I can’t personally relate to just dropping my stirrups super long and riding in my jump saddle. They (jump vs dressage saddles) have different balance points for a reason 
That’s why I like Ideal too. I had one a few years ago and it was good value for the money.
I just want the saddle to be a great fit for my horse and myself, I don’t care about the frills so much either. Good quality workmanship is enough.
In the pic, yes your shoulders are back, however your hips are not open. I have to assume your leg is not draped around the horse based upon what I can see in the pic and your hands are way too high thus breaking the line from elbow to bit.
Its evident you are very proud of your riding. Good for you. I certainly recognize that critiquing this rider is not what the thread is about. However, many of us struggle with this poster wanting to be the voice of authority and post these pics as evidence.
I agree with you that when coming from a hunt seat background that it can take a good bit of work to stop leaning forward and sit UP and balanced. It’s an issue of muscle memory in my case. For me, stirrup length makes very little difference in this, though, and maybe I’m just odd in that way. What really affects me is the saddle’s balance. I find it very difficult to ride with a balanced seat in most close contact saddles because the balance point is forward, no matter how long my stirrups are.
The opposite is also true - a dressage or all purpose saddle with an “upright” balance puts me in the right spot, even if my stirrups are shorter than what some would like to see. (Please know that I don’t mean cross country length stirrups, just not what a lot of dressage riders prefer.) I am no ULR, nor will I ever be, but balance has always been easy for me, even if other things about riding aren’t. So maybe a shorter stirrup length is more of a “handicap” for some riders than it is for others, while things like rider saddle fit may play more of a role in setting them up for success. I know there are ULRs who can hop on just about any saddle and perform well, but I could never be one of those.
None of the photos you’ve posted show correct position in the saddle for dressage. When you state that you are “supposed to stay out of the horse’s way,” nothing could be further from the truth. That’s what 2-point is for when jumping. In dressage, you need to be able to influence the horse’s way of going substantially. That can’t be accomplished in a chair seat. I have no bones to pick with you Demerara, but honestly, one cannot hold one’s self out as a professional and not be able to demonstrate correct position in the saddle. Please stick with your discipline of choice (H/J? Eventing? Not sure) and/or study dressage with a qualified instructor. If the gentleman in the last photo is your coach (I am really not sure what he’s doing in that photo, either) he should have had you drop your irons and make your leg longer before anything else.
Whenever I’m frustrated with my riding in doing dressage work, I drop my stirrups to lengthen my leg (mentally moreso than physically) and draw circles with the toe of my boot to loosen my tendency to stiffen up.
Dressage does require a more open hip angle, like @endlessclimb lovely photo above. Sit up, lengthen the leg, and ride.
Thats a blurry ss from a video, but i like my position and stirrup length.
Sitting with a closed hip angle in a chair seat is very ineffective for dressage work.
I know you don’t want older, but you might consider a Niedersuss Symphonie? I am short as well, 5’ 5" and I adore this saddle for the unubtrusive construction, very small knee rolls (not block) and comfort. I trail ride in it often because I find it so comfortable. This is not mine, I’m not advertising, but it shows a lot of angles in the photos:
Agree 100% @Mondo!
A good horseman admits to knowing what they don’t know, for both their own benefit and that of the horse. It also shows quality of character.
Where are you located? I have multiple fitters and I also do long distance fittings/trials. I love the T&T but didn’t recommend them because out of the budget. They also fit differently than the Fairfaxs.
As an eventer whose regular coach is also a USDF silver medalist, I would like to state that the person under discussion is not a competing member of my discipline. Many of us do, in fact, in this day and age, do something resembling dressage. Even me, thanks to the superhuman efforts of my coach!
OP, to provide something possibly useful to you aside from the sidebar: A rider at my barn with a somewhat similar body type really enjoys her Black Country Vinici. They can be found used for not too far off $2K.
OP, sorry that you ended up on a forum with a bunch of people who think that if your knee isn’t completely straight when you ride dressage that you aren’t doing it correctly. Please know that having a shorter stirrup length while riding dressage is absolutely possible and necessary sometimes, especially for people who are not upper level riders and think that it is okay to bounce on their horses backs all day. I applaud you for understanding your needs in your saddle search and I hope that some of the people who have kept this thread on topic have provided some useful recommendations.
I haven’t seen anyone say that. It’s just that there’s a difference between your stirrup length, which is fine for a jump saddle, and “short” dressage length.
As I said, my dressage length is 2 holes longer than my jump length and my trainer would prefer them 4 holes longer. Several people including myself gave saddle suggestions for more forward flap dressage saddles…
I agree you got jumped on here but the point everyone was trying to make is if your jump saddle is putting you in a position that is counter productive to your dressage training, you are better off in a dressage saddle that fits you. In the picture you posted, your leg is in front of you and you are not supported by your leg properly. If your position was supported in the jump saddle, you would be getting a lot less pushback.
It is possible if you were looser in you hip and your knee came down and under you, your stirrup would come back to where it should be. But the twist of your saddle or the location of your stirrup bar might be affecting this.
It’s kind of you to try to defend everybody and attempt to explain, but frankly I do not really care about the opinions of people on the internet who have never seen me ride in person, have never seen any of my dressage lessons with multiple instructors, and have never seen the results of the horses that I produce (And for those of you that think show results are the thing that matters, then you are probably the problem with modern dressage).
I will stick to the opinions of my highly regarded trainers, my clients who continue to bring horses to me and leave them with me, and most importantly, the happiness, soundness, and fitness of the horses in my care.
Okay, but you post on a public forum using your own photo as an example— the other forum users (many just as or more qualified than you) are allowed to comment on it, especially if example isn’t correct…
If someone feels attacked by comments like this one, that’s something.
I ride with longer stirrups on my rounder horse and shorter stirrups on my narrow one so as to better connect. In all instances an open hip angle and a posture like endless’ showed above is more effective in pursuit of dressage work vs jumping. None of that should offend anyone reading it.
These two rides side by side may help visualize the value of a more open hip angle and use of the seat to influence the horse:
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