I have a basic (no fancy trim) Trilogy Amadeo; paid $4750 in late 2020. They are running about $5600 now.
Shame on him.
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Totally agree. I was appalled when my supposedly fully custom saddle fit my horse so badly, despite him having been to the barn to take measurements first.
I asked him to fix it and he said he “didn’t believe” in fitting saddles at the barn with the horse there. He would only do it “properly” at his shop with the horse nowhere in sight!
And with you paying the return shipping. 
Exactly. I will never, ever recommend him again.
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Aviar - was 5995, I believe now 6495 base
Albion Fabrento - 6500ish, was $7100 with tax
Custom - starts at $5k
Ideal - paid $3200 with custom options
I paid $6000 for a complete custom Equipe Bocelli several years ago. It is in brand new condition as I had to stop riding because of health concerns. I am now trying to sell it as I have finally accepted my riding days are over.
I got my dressage saddle from Hastilow about 3 - 4 years ago. It’s their brand and has a flexible tree – I think I paid around 3000 for it, maybe a little more? It’s a very high-quality saddle and I’m completely satisfied with it. I just wish it weren’t so heavy!
Is it just me or do most of these prices sound about double what they should be? 
Supply and demand I guess? 
TL/DR; Dressage = $$$
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@ahdressage - I think you’re seeing the impacts of global inflation and regulations. Leather prices are higher in part because the tanning process has changed due to environmental regulations. Labor costs are higher in the EU & UK where many of the higher end brands are manufactured.
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Dressage saddles and tack have ALWAYS been extra expensive.
I remember going through my Miller’s and Kaufmann’s catalogues in the mid-sixties early 70s.
The higher costs of dressage tack and clothes discouraged me from even thinking about trying dressage (plus lack of teachers, trained lesson horses and dressage stables.)
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I would love to know more about your BC purchase/experience. will send you a pm.
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Forget about whether to recommend him. A friend had similar situation with a custom Trilogy. After going several rounds with the fitter, who wouldn’t budge, she went to the president of the company. She was able to return the saddle and get her money back. Maybe that could work for you.
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Wait, the guy in SoCal who starts his fittings with naked trees on the horse’s back?
I know is name, but won’t publish it here unless y’all want.
I hope not. I used to think he was one of the last truly custom (English) saddle makers.
Yup, that’s the one. Put the tree on the horse’s back, took measurements, sat me on a saddle stand and took measurements of me…
The saddle arrived and the fit to my horse was so bad that after 2.5 rides he was incredibly sore and needed time off.
The 0.5 ride was one where I took my horse’s old saddle out to the arena as well and when my horse stopped and refused to move halfway through the ride, I switched to the old saddle. Problem solved.
The owner refused to refund any of my money, argued that he doesn’t need to be with the horse to correctly fit a saddle, and eventually ghosted me after promising to try and sell the saddle for me.
I’m not the first, either. The same thing happened to a good friend and I’ve since heard similar reports from several other people.
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I ride a CWD dressage saddle, horse and I both love it. I had to go used to afford one, they show up used or quite a bit less then new so might look there.
I had a similar experience with a professionally fit saddle that didn’t fit my horse. I have two horses and they fit both of them with the same brand and model of saddle. The tree shape was wrong for the younger horse and he got very back sore and then bucked me off. I had no idea that he was back sore, but had a vet out after he bucked me off and did a complete vetting. She found him muscle sore in his back and prescribed robaxin. The fitter that sold me the saddles is going to sell both of them. So at least there is that. I had two other fitters out to look at the situation and both recommended that I not use the badly fitting saddle again. The other one was ok for the older horse, but the panels a bit long for him so I elected to bin that as well.
I have ordered two custom Dresch saddles. The price is eyewatering. Over $8k each. Still, avoiding the long term damage that a badly fitting saddle can do is worth the investment.
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I’m extremely happy with the brand new Peter Horobin saddle I just bought. Completely customized to my horse, super-balanced fit, very comfortable for me, and less than $3k new.
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In September I spent $5500 on a saddle from a “local big name” and while horse and I like it well enough, I sort of feel like an idiot for paying that much. I know if I turn around to resell it, I’ll be lucky to even get close to $3000! I know that only from speaking to others and watching the market for that particular maker.
I strayed from my “big name brand” only rule, and I won’t do that again!
Horse and I are satisfied for now, but he’s 3 so this won’t be his only saddle. $5500 isn’t on the highest end of saddle prices, but my 3 year old probably would’ve been just as content in something else if I had access to good fitters and inventory. I was desperate 
The fitter was quite good, at least.
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I only buy used saddles these days. I’ve been riding long enough (and saddle fit trained) to know what fits my horses. Plus IMO, older saddles are better made from 10+ years ago than they are today. It’s not difficult to find a quality European saddle that’s been lightly used, and well maintained for ~$2k. Caveat: you need to be patient, know where to look and have a functional knowledge of saddle fit.
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