If you seek trainers who pat you on the head and tell you that all is well, that is not a trainer. A trainer helps you improve, challenges and pushes you.
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Some of the best dressage riders I know are eventers! Didn’t mean to offend.
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That’s an unfair comment to make, and you know it.
I’m not sure if I said it on this thread already, so forgive me if I’m repeating myself, but I ride on the shorter side in my dressage saddle. It allows for this, and I feel just fine and functional. No one (as in trainers, clinicians, etc) has ever faulted my leg or stirrup length. I’d go shorter in a jump saddle though, so my leg is still longer than it would be for riding in a jump saddle.
I don’t think everyone is the same. You even see it across the upper levels. Some riders have more bend in their knee, some have less, and it just depends on your conformation and comfort. The horse and tack matters too.
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I sometimes find eventing dressage more pleasant to watch, tbh.
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Probably the most correct comment that’s been made on this thread so far.
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All of this. Me too.
I really can’t ride with a straight knee and totally open hip in my dressage saddle- even if I wanted too. But… it’s not really an issue. I’ve had 4 different dressage saddles over the last 15 years, and been able to ride effectively in all of them… even with my slightly short legs and tight hips. Admittedly though, I’m not a straight dressage rider, and not an upper level rider. I’m mainly doing eventing dressage, as well as schooling common lateral movements and working on counter canter and changes with one horse.
So I really disagree with the notion that we are all saying you have to ride in very straight flap with a completely open hip and huge block. There are plenty of options out there that run the gamut. But how the saddle’s balance, the twist, and the placement of the stirrup bars work for a particular rider and horse? That’s key. In any type of saddle. And if you adjust your leathers to an extreme degree… either too short or too long, you won’t be well balanced.
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I did, in fact, basically repeat myself. 
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Not seeing it. You look perfectly proportioned to me.
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Gotta see me from the front. 
it’s genetic. I could weigh 90lbs or 120lbs, doesn’t matter.
My calves are so big and so short I don’t even bother looking at the pretty tall boots anymore. 
they will never fit. Whomp whomp.
The good news is I’m really stout and very strong. “Brick poophouse” if you will.
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That’s the stirrup length I jump in…
Also: the stirrup length matters because of how a dressage saddle is built. The tree points are straighter/longer than the ones on jump saddles (shorter/forward). This affects the position of the stirrup bar, and thus how the saddle inherently balances you. Dressage saddles aren’t just different from jump saddles because they have a deeper seat… the structure itself is different.
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It might be worth trying one of the Antarès Tempo dressage saddles
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Oh hey, we have the same body type 
I look like a distance runner from the side and a bodybuilder from the front
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I feel this comment. In my bones.
But I don’t just have big short calves… I also have giant feet.
Like… I’m a borderline hobbit.
Ironically enough… I found a pair of tall boots made by “Shires” recently that are actually comfortable for me right off the rack.
Because of COURSE the Shires boots would be best for me 
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I have big feet and a calf that is as wide as it is tall (not very tall at all). Finding boots off the shelf is a nightmare. Once in awhile I find a pair!
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Here you go. They’re GREAT. And cheap 
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Good to know. I have an older pair from Mountain Horse and some Ego7’s that are alright. My Cavallos were somewhat doable with a heel lift 
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I feel you. I was 5’3" in my prime, now 5’2". I like to stay around 105 but don’t think I look slim. When I hit 110, I feel really fat. So little wiggle room for us shorties.
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The angle of the tree points might slightly alter the position of the stirrup bar. Dressage saddles often feature extended bars. If you take a look at the links below, you’ll notice that the dressage stirrup bar is 3cm longer than the jumping one.
https://www.abbeyengland.com/stirrup-bar-ss-no-3-dressage-ky--stpbar--ss--3bp
https://www.abbeyengland.com/hook-stirrup-bars-all-3-bronze-no-2-es0034
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Thanks for reaching out! I have not, because the independent saddle fitter who has a good variety of saddles to try cancelled on me today due to the weather. So now I’m waiting again for new scheduling. It’s a bummer!
I have a similar issue with tall boots, though my calves are skinny. Nothing is short or narrow enough unless I buy custom, but I can’t justify it right now. I need to prioritize the saddle, and keep riding in my old boots.
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