I don’t do endurance, I just trail ride, but we have some pretty rough terrain. So I feel much more comfortable and safer in my old Kieffer Munchen with the knee rolls out to HERE and a nice deep seat to help me stay balanced when we’re scrabbling for a purchase on steep hills.
I ride in both a Pessoa A/O and a Wintec 500. I prefer the Wintec for trail riding - it’s nice & secure and it if gets wet/dirty all I have to do to clean it is hose if off! 
there is the sweetest synergist saddle on the endurancenet classifieds that is calling my name. great price, and comes with all access. I deserve it, I do.
Barbara
Here is an interesting survey of saddle, pad, stirrup, shoe, etc. types used on the 1999 Tevis Cup Ride.
On dry rides I use a passier. On wet I’ll use the Terminator (my ‘haunted’ Whippy)
ugh, the great saddle search. 
I’ve ridden endurance for 8 yrs now, have been through a Klimke, Stubben and Smith Worthington–all excellent saddles, but needed more weight bearing surface area (I ride as a heavyweight) for the 50 mile distances. I’ve had a Ortho-flex which was great for some horses, but made others VERY sore, borrowed a Marciante which I really liked, then rode in a aussie Longreach Endurance–loved it till my horse muscled up, changed shape and then it didn’t fit anymore. Finally, a couple years ago, in a fit of desperation I ordered the Bob Marshall (treeless) endurance saddle and have used it on everyone ever since. Wow, what a nice ride! 
I actually won a Best Condition award the first ride I went to after getting that saddle. I was told that it was a poor choice for heavyweight riders, but have not found that to be true, I’ve ridden that saddle on a bunch of 50’s, never had a sore back–and don’t see the chiro much anymore!
Oh KarenC! I’m with you: Duett all the way!!! I have the Rondo 2 AP and LOFF IT.
It fit my Percheron when I first got her and now it fits my Clyde/S’bred X even better. Uber comfortable, soft and centered. I’m so glad it fit Penny because I didn’t want to sell it.
Rode for two hours on the Silver Comet Trail Friday and felt great.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lawndart:
Have heard good things about both the Bob Marshall trail saddle, and the Tuckers, but my goodness soo much $$$$$. I just trail ride so justifying that much money is hard. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
lawndart, I know what you mean and can totally relate…all I can say though, is that once you ride in one, oh my! I’ve never been one to invest a lot in tack, but I WILL in the next year or so have myself that Tucker I want! One ride in an excellent quality saddle will make one see the truth in the saying “you get what you pay for”! It certainly sold me! I will have no regrets in spending the money, if and when I ever get enough saved up to buy it, lol!
Just curious as to what type of tack you are using, as most of us on this board prefer English style saddles.
I was riding in a Bob Marshall sport saddle, but needed something with more support (I have an old injury that causes muscle spasms on my right side). I just tried and feel in love with a Duett companion trail saddle – and it actually FITS my horse (miracle of miracles). Since the weather has been horrid, I haven’t been able to test drive it on the trail, but I’m really looking forward to the first trail ride in it – the seat is very comfortable!
I also have a Zilco bit hanger (instead of the more traditional halter/bridle combos that I always found cumbersome) that I absolutely love. I just strap it on over a regular leather halter and I’m ready to go.
