I wanted to write a short review on this saddle because I couldn’t find much about it from current riders. If you’re thinking about this saddle as an option to some lower level dressage and trail, I hope this helps.
I had a previous post asking about the saddle before I tried one in case anyone is curious:
I did a test ride and wow, did it feel nice! As soon as I sat on it, my mare relaxed like I haven’t felt in a while. My instructor literally gasped and asked the fitter if she had ever seen anything like it. What she was referring to was my seat and my horse’s response. My body just went into the perfect position without my having to put anything anywhere. My thoughts after I sat was, “hum, it kind of feels like a board, but a comfy one, and really I like it”. The board feel was from not being a deep seat like most dressage saddles I’ve sat in or owned. It’s an open seat which I much prefer. Lower pommel, open cantle, no big thigh blocks. It’s not a flat seat nor a deep seat but something in-between.
The demo had a Biomex seat which I hadn’t sat in before. I loved it. I decided to buy a Scout and have had it for a month. I can’t imagine not having a Biomex seat on any saddle I own now. My seat bones are happy and my back is happier.
So far, I’ve used it for dressage and a little trail riding. It works perfectly for the style of dressage I ride and is great along the paths we’ve ridden on so far. We haven’t been on a long trail ride as of yet but I have no concerns at all. I think I could sit in this saddle all day long.
I’m finding I can feel my horse’s movements better. I feel like I’m riding my horse and not the saddle between us. My hips are swinging with her movement and I don’t feel stiff like in my previous dressage saddles. I can feel her sides betters so my leg aids are lighter. The twist is perfect for me. The tree is the same as their dressage saddle (I also tried the Stubben Aramis II Gran Prix - same tree as the Scout). I am not in a chair position.
I’ve raised the stirrups to see how that felt for jumping and it feels just fine. I love that I have some diversity in a saddle.
A couple of things that are different -
They start in an 18 size seat. So come in sizes 18, 18-1/2, 19. I rode in a 17-1/2" dressage saddle but the 18" in the Scout is actually perfect. If you need a 17" or smaller, this saddle will most likely be too big for you. I’m female, 5’6", slightly longer leg and medium build.
Because this saddle was designed after a Calvary saddle, there are extra bars on the back for packs, similar to how a western saddle is built for packs. The panels are longer than a typical English saddle. Mine are 2” longer than my previous wedge cut dressage saddle. The tree ends in the same place as a regular English saddle so your weight doesn’t extend beyond the regular tree. Because the extra bars make the panel longer - longer saddle pads and half pads may be needed.
