I’m a middle aged rider who grew up as a working student for an eq/hunter barn. I rode in a collegiate pancake no block no knee roll saddle forever - I hated the stiff Crosby options and the blocking and knees on the Pessoas etc that were all the rage in the late 90s that made me feel like I was riding the saddles vs riding the horse - and so I never changed. Now my… self… is much larger than before and I MUST get a new saddle. Haven’t loved the Antares or Voltaires I’ve tried. Hated the CWD. Will trial a Butet… But I want to know what brands do you think presently deserve far more fandom than they get while everyone acts like the French brands are the only things going? And what lasts? My collegiate still looks and functions like practically new nearly 30 years later - even after riding loads of horses and ponies on the daily. And I schooled in jeans and tasseled chaps just like everyone else on the A circuit in the late 90s 
). So if you’re also an old school rider who loves a flattest and a narrow twist and a low pommel to avoid Inverness problem, what do you think I should look at?
Try a County. They sit close to the horse so you feel like you’re on the horse and not 10 inches above her.
I have the solution monoflap (less traditional looking, not sure if you care about that) and I absolutely love it.
i like a flat seat and narrow twist - I’m in a devoucoux biarritz (o is semi deep s is flat seat - both are narrow twists, but the S is narrow-est of them all).
I do not like the devoucoux biarritz k or the devoucoux biarritz lab
County is a option as said above- but I found I also liked an ancient Antares (old from early 2000s), flat and narrow twist - E seat)
Butets are known for narrower twists…
I’d do a monoflap for functionality but it won’t fly for showing so I need to stick to traditional styling. Does the county allow for a long, deep leg well? I’ve had an issue with certain saddles where the stirrup bar seems to be set a bit forward and I end up in a super uncomfortable chair seat and feel like a mess.
Super helpful info! I’m going to make a list and stalk things for trials. I’ve gotten overwhelmed/annoyed trying to decipher different brands’ coding for features and gave up trying to sort through so thank you!
you might like this then 
also, I’m 5’9 and have had issues with stirrup bar placement and chair seats with my OG old school PJ – no such issues with the Devoucoux
but also older, flat narrow CWDs improved that issue as well. Many of the ubiquitous modern CWDs are awful… I hate the “ladies” seat thing with the padding on the pommel OMFG.
It’s not too non-traditional looking, and your leg mostly covers the short girth:
They also make the solution in a double flap for a long girth
I ride in a shorter stirrup normally but haven’t had an issue in a longer stirrup
I hate all padded saddles. Am very comfortable in a Butet, but happiest in my Tad Coffin.
Look at Butet or Renaissance. I wouldn’t call either of them “overlooked” but they offer the minimalist feel you’re looking for. No modern saddles are going to wear like your old one though. You can look into buffalo vs calf if it’s important to you but both still need to be treated with a little more tact than the old school saddles. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how my calfskin saddle has held up though and I don’t baby it.
Butet fan here - never had such a great feel as rider. Flat seat, minimal knee block, calfskin flaps give super contact/feel of horse yet held up well. Unfortunately mine didn‘t fit my current horse, otherwise would never seek another saddle.
I really, really like amerigo and equipe which are quite comfy—if you don’t like the forwardness of the stirrup bar or the padding/blocks they may not be for you. But I like them due to the fact they have so many different tree shapes to account for so many different horse backs—which for whatever reason CWD doesn’t seem to do.
If you like English saddles, in addition to County, you might like Harry Dabbs. Hard to find a dealer for them. However they are very, very customizable for horse and rider and wool flocked. I think that’s a brand that’s underrated. They can go toe to toe with the cushier saddles or you can have a more minimal ride if you prefer.
I agree with CBoylen and second the Tad Coffin. Especially if you are looking for a classic close contact type saddle.
Another vote for Renaissance. They are actually Italian (by Prestige) but have the French “look”. Very minimalist but still comfortable. And huge bonus (IMO), is that you can get them wool flocked. This is mine:
Can you please explain this? Why would it be a problem for showing? Honestly curious here!
I was wondering the same thing, as far as I know there is no reason a monoflap can’t be used in an eq class.
My guess (as a hunter rider myself who occasionally dabbles in the adult eq)- it’s not the style. You really don’t see anyone in the hunters or eq at rated shows in monoflap saddles.
Upon reflection, I think I have gotten integrated panels confused with monoflap. I started to panic because I was thinking my soon-to-be-delivered Antares is a monoflap but then it dawned on me that what it will have are integrated panels. Phew!
I agree TC is the most minimalist of the modern saddles, but the Butet has a narrower twist. Worth sitting in both. I also bet there are probably some older PDNs and Collegiates out there on the used market for peanuts if new isn’t important.
You can get a newer Antarès without any of the fluff (thin knee rolls, small blocks, flat seat, narrow twist) but you’d probably have to do a custom order.
That doesn’t mean its not an option, and I have seen people post on these forums who say they do show in monoflaps although its not very common.
