I’m looking at these three saddles. I’m leaning towards the PJ and the XP3 because I like the thigh blocks and find they help me achieve a more solid seat. The A/O is a more classic style. I’ve ridden in an A/O in the past and liked it,but I know Pessoa creation processes and quality have changed over time. The PJ’s are supposed to be very good , but I’ve never ridden in one. They all have trial periods so if they didn’t work I could certainly send it back. Anyone with experience with these, how they hold up, how they ride? Horse is a large TB built like a tank. Is being ridden in a wide tree Pessoa currently.
I’ve found that Pessoas work well with TBs, generally speaking. The XP3 is a really nice saddle, but there are a ton of AO models currently, some of which have thigh blocks and grippy covered leathers. I personally do not care for covered leather because it doesn’t wear as well/last as long, but I digress.
Someone more informed than I will likely chime in that the new PJ saddles aren’t as nice as the old ones, since they split from Delgrange, I believe.
Thanks for the input 
I wondered about the difference in the PJ and the Delgrange PJ. I’ll be able to go see and try them in person in two weeks. It’s hard to tell how they’ll wear from trying a new one though. I searched on here, but couldn’t find anything on the PJ’s.
I rode in the PJ USA for a while (the PJ USA is supposed to be the same model as the Premiere but with a wood tree and a bit nicer leather - but my mom had the Premiere) It was a great saddle for the price! It put me in a nice secure position that I felt comfortable flatting and jumping in. I don’t know how the other two sit, but the PJ’s do tend to have a deeper seat. The saddle held up very well as well. Both the Premiere and the USA fit our horses well, and they’re both 16.3hh TBs. I actually got mine when I had a 17.3hh TB/HanoverianX and it fit him great! I’ve never personally ridden in a Pessoa before, but I’m not a fan of the position they tend to put people in - they seem to tip riders forward. However, I can tell you that you’ll probably have better luck reselling a Pessoa than you will a PJ.
Either way, go with the saddle that fits YOU the best and that you feel most comfortable in!! Good luck!
PJ and Delgrange PJ are two different saddles. Bruno Delgrange split from Pierre Jolicoeur a few years ago. The PJ premiere is a saddle made by Pierre Jolicoeur. Hope that helps you!
We just bought a new Pessoa Legacy XP3 for my husband. It is an extremely nice saddle. Calfskin seat and knee rolls. The leather oiled up beautifully. He loves it and feels very secure in it.
The exchangeable gullets are a great feature. We ordered a wide for his horse and I fits great. The panels are very soft and the carbon fiber tree has a 100 year warranty.
Our trainer who has an Antares said “this might be my next saddle.”
We just bought a new Pessoa Legacy XP3 for my husband. It is an extremely nice saddle. Calfskin seat and knee rolls. The leather oiled up beautifully. He loves it and feels very secure in it.
The exchangeable gullets are a great feature. We ordered a wide for his horse and I fits great. The panels are very soft and the carbon fiber tree has a 100 year warranty.
Our trainer who has an Antares said “this might be my next saddle.”
Personally, I had a hard time w/ the balance of my Pessoa A/O. It tipped me forward and made me fight to hold myself in the right position…I did not notice how bad it was until I tried a Voltaire!
That being said, if you have ridden in them before and do not have problems with it, it is a nice saddle. I had mine for 4 years and it held up beautifully. Sold mine last year to get the Voltaire instead which worked better for me and my horse. The Pessoa fit fine on my big, thick Appendix…but the Voltaire frees up his shoulder and just works better. So if you are comfortable with it, go for it.
What I really want to find is the Dominus CC… the old one, not the weatherbeeta… but haven’t had and luck lately 
I did think of the PJ USA… I’m going to go try them out when I’m up near the shop in a week. Thanks!
Rick’s Heritage Saddlery has some Dominus CC saddles:
http://www.saddlesource.com/close-contact.html
They’re listed under “used saddles” but they look brand new, so I’m not sure if they’re the older ones or not. I had an older Dominus that I thought was a really great product for the price point.
Thanks winstonian!
