Thats probably not a great idea because its an All Purpose saddle not a jump saddle and probably doesn’t have the right balance.
Sorry, but the fact that people come out of western saddles in no way negates the fact that deep seats and thigh blocks can and do help riders stay put.
As I’ve aged I’ve bought progressively deeper seats and bigger thigh blocks because they do help me survive spooks that I wouldn’t have survived in a flatter saddle, and that saddle construction is exactly what has made it possible for me to continue to ride my spooky horses without hitting dirt as often.
In fact, my dressage saddle with the giant thigh blocks is actually quite a bit more secure than my Western saddles because the thigh blocks are right there, so I’m less likely to come out of them than I am all but the tightest western saddle seats.
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It’s not the blocks and padding on a saddle that make you secure, it is your seat. The more blocks, the less you can move in the saddle, freedom to move is taken away. You do need to be able to move if you need to, especially as courses get bigger and more technical. The further your seat and legs are propped away from the horse’s body by blocks and padding, the LESS secure you are, that is a rule of physics, not an “opinion”. The most secure saddle you will ever sit in is a beavertail exercise saddle from the racetrack- a set of stirrups on a leather pad, it is only 1" thick with no padding or tree, allowing the rider to be as close to the horse as possible. There is a reason why these saddles are used in the racing discipline, and it’s not “style”, it’s security.
Current marketing schemes have convinced riders that blocks and padding are security in the saddle. This is done to sell saddles, no other reason.
If you are not secure in the saddle, you need to work on your seat, not buy another saddle with more padding and blocks. In order to be secure, you need to be close to the horse. Don’t get sucked in to marketing schemes and fail to develop a secure seat as a result. A horse with a big powerful and talented jump will tend to rocket you out of the saddle in the top of his arc. This is known as “cracking his back”, it’s a good thing. A secure seat and strong leg will counter this, not the saddle you are sitting in.
And yes, I am one of those people who jumps and have jumped big and trappy courses in those “old fashioned” pancake flat saddles since the late 70’s. And still do. I love the security that these old flat saddles have. Courbette Stylist I is my favourate.
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Meh, to each their own @NancyM
we’ve certainly debated this enough on the boards and I’m fairly certain every top rider with knee blocks and thigh blocks isn’t using them because they’re a garbage rider.
that’s sheer nonsense.
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In that price range, and given that you’re looking for a saddle for a TB, I’d go with a used Stubben. There a lot of them available, and if they fit your horse, they often allow you to find a secure seat without locking you in.
You might want to work through a tack shop that will evaluate tracings of your horse and make recommendations as well. Pelham Saddlery usually has a big assortment of saddles and will work with tracings (or they used to anyway).
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I had a Thornhill Germania that I really liked, and would not hesitate to get again. I also had a Thornhill Pro-Trainer Event for quite a while that served me well from 2’-3’3". Since it was a jump-leaning AP, it did the job at lower heights but once I started schooling 3’6" on a bigger jumping horse, the higher cantle would smack me in the butt when he made a bigger effort behind.
The Event has really been updated since I had mine, but most of their saddles retail under $1500 new and can be found very reasonably priced secondhand.
If you’re not opposed to synthetic, I second the Wintec recommendation. Specifically the ones with equisuede on the seat. I have never ridden in a more secure saddle! Put on a pair of full seat breeches and it’s like superglue, almost too restrictive.
The newer Wintecs are quite nice for the price point. They get an undeserved bad reputation IMO.
I find their all purpose models completely fine for my BN jumping purposes. If you want something that will put you in a better position for big fences, the Pro Jump gets excellent reviews.
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You might take a look at Smith Worthington’s Bargain Barn. If you buy from them, they will help you get your horse properly fitted. It’s not one of the most popular companies, but (IMO) it’s a good one.
Another company you might consider, although the fad for it has long passed, is Berney Bros in Ireland. It was the HOT inexpensive saddle for eventers for many, many years not THAT long ago.
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I loved the Berney Bros I had and only sold it because it no longer fit any of my horses. I bought it for a song and sold for a bit more than I paid, although I did take exceptional care of it.
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I love my Passier Military II, the ‘new’ Passier Carolina with a forward flap is basically the same saddle. Its the saddle equivalent of the jeans in “The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants” fits my tall, leggy, gumby-like friend and my short, wide, stubby self equally well.
Its a mono flap with high knee blocks, and calf blocks that have saved me from a hard landing many times.
I know where to find one 2nd hand. Mine will be pried from my cold dead hands.
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I HATE big knee rolls and being locked in. They do not make you more secure. I do like cushy though :). I also personally prefer a narrow twist…others I know like wider twists. There are absolutely personal preferences in saddles…but what makes you secure is the right balance for the saddle. So having a saddle that fits YOU and your horse and has its balance point be right for you is what is critical (as well as you working on your own position 
). I’m a taller rider with a very long thigh. It’s hard for me to find saddles that fit me well…especially once I’m jumping bigger (for me that is over 3’6"). So the fact that you feel it affecting you now really means your current saddle doesn’t have the right balance for you.
Don’t worry about what works for your trainer…go for what works for you. You need to look at used in that price point. Sit in as many saddles as you can…borrow from friends. Find out what works well for your horse…and you. I can tell just trotting around the ring in two point if a saddle will work for me. If it feels good and easy for you to hold your position…then jump a jump. I know when I’ve gone from a not so great fitting saddle to one that worked…it was like a light bulb went off. I will now spend more on a good saddle than I have in the purchase of the horse!!! Nothing is worse for you position then fighting with your tack…and you may not even be aware that is the issue.
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Second Berney bothers. Like old Levi’s. Stiff and well made. Can’t buts 'em mine is nearly thirty years old. Try as I might can’t break it.
