Frank Baines Piroutte (what used to be called the Reflex)
Where are you located? Do you have a saddle fitter that is bringing models out for you to test ride? A lot of the tall riders I fit actually prefer a block, we just make sure it is placed so as not to interfere with their leg. Some European saddles actually offer a slightly forward flap for the very long legged dressage rider. It isn’t super noticeable visually, but makes a huge difference.
I’m 5’8" with long legs (can wear 33" inseam pants in bare feet) and I ride in a Stubben Tristan Extra. Flat as a pancake and nothing to get in the way, or between me and the horse. Love it. Also, every horse I’ve owned seems to love the short billets combined with a mohair girth. Even the sensitive ones.
[QUOTE=IndyEquestrian;8296911]
Where are you located? Do you have a saddle fitter that is bringing models out for you to test ride? A lot of the tall riders I fit actually prefer a block, we just make sure it is placed so as not to interfere with their leg. Some European saddles actually offer a slightly forward flap for the very long legged dressage rider. It isn’t super noticeable visually, but makes a huge difference.[/QUOTE]
Which ones? Another long-femured saddle shopper here.
Also afflicted with the long femur, and a forward flap can make a world of difference in getting blocks to work.
There are a lot of used County Perfections with slightly forward flaps out there. I can’t speak to whether it will work for Fred as my horses are all TBs, but I’ve noticed that there is a LOT of variation within this model so it may be something to keep an eye out for.
I have a long thigh and had to go with what my saddle fitter calls the “Heather Blitz” thigh block. :lol: I LOVE the saddle. It’s a Dresch, custom…and I had them specifically fit the block to my leg.
scruffy the cat
I have seen Counties do it, Bliss of London and Loxley by Bliss will also do that. I have actually ridden in a Prestige dressage saddle (will check the model, it’s a friends) that the flap was a bit forward on, bad for me at only 5’7", but lovely for her at nearly 6’. I will dig around a bit more and see which other brands I can come up with. . . I keep a file for my long legged riders. . . You guys make my life interesting! Will update again this afternoon/evening once I can give a detailed list!
[QUOTE=IndyEquestrian;8297323]
scruffy the cat
I have seen Counties do it, Bliss of London and Loxley by Bliss will also do that. I have actually ridden in a Prestige dressage saddle (will check the model, it’s a friends) that the flap was a bit forward on, bad for me at only 5’7", but lovely for her at nearly 6’. I will dig around a bit more and see which other brands I can come up with. . . I keep a file for my long legged riders. . . You guys make my life interesting! Will update again this afternoon/evening once I can give a detailed list![/QUOTE]
5’6 and very long femurs. Never thought much about the blocks of my current saddle (Trilogy Amadeo) but was in love at the first ride with the Loxley by bliss. I never realized how much more freedom I can get when blocks are higher (and I do like my Trilogy). I did order a loxley monoflap.
I’m 5’10" with long legs, and have been through quite a few saddles. Of the used, <$2,000 saddles, the best for me was a forward flap County Connection. New horse needed a hoop tree though, so I moved to a Black Country, and ended up having a custom Vinici X built with a 1.5" forward flap and a shortened block that ends just above my kneecap. In retrospect, I may have even gone with a 2" forward flap, but that wouldn’t be necessary with a horse that takes my leg up better.
As you say, horse type matters too. With the wider horse, like the draftX you have, a narrower twist might become more critical. If you don’t mind a wider twist, a Black Country Eloquence might be a good solution since it has more of a thigh block. I have one and it worked well for my leg, but feels wide in the twist vs. the Vinici, which is a mono-flap and thus gives a narrower feel.
I did ride in an Albion SLK for a few years and the flap was really too straight for my thigh length. Might work for an upper level rider able to work effectively in a long stirrup, but not so much for me. Give me an SLK with a forward flap and I’d be a happy camper. Horses seemed to appreciate the Albion and the Black Country saddles more than the County.
bluesegolene
Thanks for the endorsement for the Loxley line! I haven’t had a horse/rider combo yet that we can’t fit wonderfully! It is nice to be able to get people custom saddles at a reasonable price point!
Other saddles that will give you a slightly forward flap are, the Antares dressage, though I don’t love the feel. I also think one Amerigo has a slightly forward shift. I will look further into that one. All of the recent long legged riders have ended up in Loxley Dressage saddles or Bliss Liberty Dressage Saddles.
[QUOTE=IndyEquestrian;8298959]
bluesegolene
Thanks for the endorsement for the Loxley line! I haven’t had a horse/rider combo yet that we can’t fit wonderfully! It is nice to be able to get people custom saddles at a reasonable price point!
Other saddles that will give you a slightly forward flap are, the Antares dressage, though I don’t love the feel. I also think one Amerigo has a slightly forward shift. I will look further into that one. All of the recent long legged riders have ended up in Loxley Dressage saddles or Bliss Liberty Dressage Saddles.[/QUOTE]
Got a monoflap. 3 weeks to go before I can sit on it! Cant wait!
I will make sure to provide feedback. I was a bit hesitant as it is not a well known brand around here (West coast Canada) but I could not resist: perfect fit for both my horse and myself! (btw, it was one of the most reasonably priced of all the 13 saddles I tried 
[QUOTE=bluesegolene;8300333]
Got a monoflap. 3 weeks to go before I can sit on it! Cant wait!
I will make sure to provide feedback. I was a bit hesitant as it is not a well known brand around here (West coast Canada) but I could not resist: perfect fit for both my horse and myself! (btw, it was one of the most reasonably priced of all the 13 saddles I tried :)[/QUOTE]
The wait is the hardest part! Oh well, quality work takes time! It’s not too long though!
