Does anyone know of a well-made brand of dressage saddle (wool flocking) that costs less than $3000 new?
My search for a used saddle has turned up very few saddles that meet the needs of my horse and I.
I’ve checked tons of FB groups and online websites (Pelham, Trumbull, etc…) for months and finding a saddle that is a MW, 16.5", short flap, high pommel, and doesn’t have a lot of signs of wear isn’t easy.
I am not a fan of County, HDR, Wintec, or Bates.
Try the Saddle Geek. Amazing, knowledgable service for a very reasonable fee: http://www.thesaddlegeek.com/
Jen is the real deal.
There are three used County saddles in 16.5" seat size on Pelham Saddlery’s website.
I’ve found that County saddles tend to put me in a chair position.
Because your requirements are so specific, you may find one in your price range but it may take awhile or you will have to increase your price range.
This one fits all your requirements except it’s foam instead of wool. It’s also brown.
https://www.fine-used-saddles.com/saddles/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=524&idcategory=3
pelham has 35 saddles in their 16.5" and under category - only one of which is over $3K, and that barely.
I think if you go used you will have a fair amount of choice. I have a Sankey that I bought used and love (has a shorter flap and full front gussets, which can be hard to find). Trumbull Mountain is another potential source of help and saddles.
The ones over $2000 aren’t a MW and/or have a short flap.
Your options are somewhat limited in new. Some of the Stubbens fall in that range, particularly if you are willing to consider the demos they often have listed for sale on the Stubben North America site. Santa Cruz, Thornhill, Collegiate would be well within budget but I can’t speak to the quality. The Custom Saddlery “Signature” line available at SmartPak and Dover are very good quality and also in that price range. Dressage Extensions has their own line called Tempi, under $2000.
Now I’m in Canada where imported saddles (and most consumer goods) tend to be 20 to 30 % more thsn in the US. Still, even factoring in that a US $ will go a little farther I dont know of a true high quality saddle in your price range.
What this means is that the lower priced saddles will not have hard to find configurations. They may have different seat and tree sizes, but not special flap sizes.
Indeed Greenhawk our national chain sells its house brand saddles in one seat size and tree width.
The 16.5 seat is your problem and basically limits you to youth saddles.
I would look at the Prestige Lucky and the Stubben Juventus if you are really that small.
I’m 5’1, 120 pounds, and I fit into a lucky but my personal saddle is a 17.5.
I would reconsider the “new” requirement. You can get much higher quality saddle if you’re willing to look at one slightly / gently used.
The Stubben 1894 is a remarkably well-priced wool-flocked saddle at $1,999. They say it’s so low-priced because they only offer 3 seat sizes and 5 tree sizes, but it didn’t matter to me- it fit my OTTB like a glove. It’s pretty, too, and super comfortable- narrow twist, grippy leather, nicely padded seat, and good-sized but not enormous knee blocks. Good for horses with a wither. I can’t address the short flap issue but maybe in a 16.5, the flap is short enough? I’m not sure but your local Stubben rep can tell you. Usually they are very well informed about their products.
Many of the Baines saddles are in the 3000 range new and Kent and Masters are in that range. Black Country is higher.
Jeffries and some Harry Dabbs are in that range. Frank Baines is right at the edge.
Second Kent and Masters.
Had a nrand new one custom fitted/ordered for me and my horse by a master saddle fitter for roughly $2500.
Love it.
If you know what you need off the rack, you might try ordering from the UK. With the pound being quite weak, you can get a nice saddle for considerably less, even after shipping and customs.
Custom Saddlery offers saddles through Dover in your price range. I ride in a Custom (custom) Wolfgang and simply adore it; it can be purchased new with calf leather at Dover for $2500.
Trilogy seats seem to run a smidge small, so you might have some luck looking for a '17 Trilogy…the Debbie McDonald is short flaps.
I had a Ideal Jessica (model) for five years and adored it. Purchased new from Ideal in England in 2010 for $2100. Did a few custom features which didn’t cost much. When I sold it, the saddle was eight years old and looked fantastic.
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