How cool. I had no idea about this - maybe something Stubben should try as a Guidebook for its reps…? 
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Wouldn’t have helped their New England rep from 2015ish…who couldn’t see a saddle that was made crooked even when shown the problem with a ruler.
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C’mon. You know that their special spring tree means Stubben can fit all the shapes even when it looks completely wrong 
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My old horse that was that shape did best in an Albion Kontact Lite. It had a very deep front panel which allowed him to use a correct-for-him MW tree, instead of going too narrow for clearance. I’m an eventer, but I believe Albion made a Kontact HJ, as well as a similar Kontrol model. Many of these are older now, and inexpensive, though might require a complete reflock. If you are coming off a CWD, these may not be the rider experience or look you are seeking though.
A couple more thoughts:
- There are other (not very HJ styled brands) that make “high wither” saddles, like Kent and Masters or Thorowgood that might have promising offerings
- I think we are in the same FB saddle fitting group (the one run by Stubben reps, that is pretty negative toward high withered toplines), and I think it’s easy to look at pics and say “no, not perfect,” but at the end of the day we are going to ride in something. If you can find something that is 70% better than what you have, that might still be a worthwhile trade, and you can always keep an eye out for perfect.
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Yes I’m in that group, I’ve posted every saddle I’ve gotten. Fairfax, ideal and Kent and masters I’ve tried haven’t worked out for us, they all did not have large enough gussets. love the feel of my CWD but I’d rather have a saddle that does not cause him pain so I don’t mind getting a saddle that isn’t popular like all the French ones. Just unfortunately those haven’t worked out for us. I did like the Albion but from what I remember it didn’t have enough wither clearance I think I also posted it on here, It was a MW. Stubben does have an ascend model that is above my budget to get brand new with the +1 gusset he needs (3,600) but I’ve read so many horror stories about new saddles not fitting it scares me.
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I am also in that FB group and while I think it can help educate about tree shapes, tree points, etc. It really glosses over two things that IME, can make a huge difference: reflocking a saddle to fit your horse (my saddle fitter was a genius at making saddles fit) and the use of corrective pads. I am using a CorrecTor pad with my new TB because he’s narrower than my previous horses. My jumping saddle is balanced but too wide. When he’s more muscled up, I’ll probably have the saddle professionally narrowed, but in the meantime, my approach is keeping my horse comfortable and even the expensive pads are a bargain compared to a new saddle.
And I ride him in an Edix treeless dressage saddle. Now, Edix saddles are more structured than most treeless saddles as they have a pommel insert, but coupled with a Colin Dangaard pad, he’s super comfortable. That group is not a fan of treeless saddles.
Bottom line: find something your horse likes and that fits you.
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@Bristol_Bay, this is genius. Thank you for sharing. Does anyone know if there are traveling reps in the Midwest?
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I do! You’ll want Jenn Scholtz. https://www.facebook.com/slsaddles
She drives out to Ohio 2x a year to fit my guy’s saddle. The saddle fits him so well it’s really just small tweaks now that he’s gained 2cm (!!) on his right shoulder with a proper fitting saddle.
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Thank you!
