I do machine embroidery and finally have a machine big enough to do some saddle pads. I’m currently horse-less 
. What are your favorite (reasonably priced) schooling pads? What kind of stock designs would you like to see? I’ll offer personalization later on, like monograms and names.
I love my pri pads.
Pop culture always seems to do well. I hand embroidered a TARDIS pad a few years ago that was the talk of our show, and my jumper pad has the slytherin crest sewn on (Show name Bellatrix).
I also like PRI. They make one that is A/P shaped with billet guards and girth straps but slightly THINNER… not quite baby pad thin but thinner. It is my go-to for embroidery.
I was actually rather pleasantly surprised with the Smartpak line of a/p saddle pads. I got the lite pad which was like, $13 with the discount (I think it’s $17 full price) which is a steal of a deal. It doesn’t have the billet straps, which I like because I hate them anyways and does have the girth straps which I do use. There is a curve to the spine that the cheaper dover pads doesn’t have.
Just something to look into if you’re looking for economical pads. They come in 2 or 3 thicknesses and lots of piping colors
PRI and Roma dressage pads.
Breed logos and disciplines seem popular in stock images.
If you could, try to also do custom logos, not just names/monograms. A few years ago I had a friend embroider a pad for my trainer with her barn logo. She was able to convert the image from the logo on the website. Since then she has used the same file to do numerous pads, jackets, vests and even camp chairs for trainer and clients! We provide the items and she adds the embroidery.
I also like the smartpak AP pads. They are easy to wash due to the light weight as well.
I also like the SmartPak dressage pads, in the medium diamond quilt and the small diamond quilt. At $21-23, often on sale for even less, they are a good value and do well in the wash. They are not thick and heavy, and they are cut just right for the horse’s top line. There is also an oversize pad available for a reasonable price.
I have been mostly annoyed by Dover’s dressage pads because they just are not shaped right. There’s something about the way they don’t fit under a saddle, always leaving a diagonal crease on each side behind the girth. 
So glad when SP came out with a GOOD pad that behave as a saddle pad should.
I also like the lightweight Union Hill pads that SmartPak has. They, too, fit well and last well.
Breed logos, farm names/logos and decorative things like a crown (for every DQ, of course) or horseshoe are popular in my area. I would love to find something with corners embroidered on each rear corner of the pad, like a border or something. Celtic motifs might lend themselves to embroidery since they don’t usually have a beginning or end. If that makes sense. Here’s an example. Never mind, I can’t upload photos, what with COTH being buggy for editing etc. Anywho, I just googled “Celtic motifs” and came up with several possibilities.
I would use embroidered pads as schooling pads, because in competition there are rules about what can, and cannot be on a saddle pad, including size of a logo. Just FYI.
Be aware that some breed logos and pop culture items may require licensing for the sort of use you are talking about. You may (or may not) be able to fly under the radar depending on how big your marketing presence is and how strict the license holder is about policing unauthorized use.
That said, an easy way to do some market research is to look at the stock items that Dover/SmartPak/etc have available on their sites. That should give you an idea of the classic/timeless options that actually sell (or they wouldn’t bother offering them as options).
For trendier options, look at Etsy shops that offer saddle pad embroidery; that will show you what your competition is offering.
I’m also a big fan of the SmartPak a/p pads and baby pads and have gotten embroidery done on a few them. They’re inexpensive and great quality for what you’re paying for them.
