I am trying to find more information about Windsor saddles. I know that there are two different kinds. (the ones made in England and the ones that aren’t) I want info on the “good” ones made in England. I know there are a few different models such as the Windsor Olympian, Windsor Elite and Windsor Blue Line. I have ridden in the Olympian and love it, but i’m coming to realize that they are super hard to come by. I am currently looking into buying a Windsor Elite, but would love some feedback on them. Are they good quality? Comfortable? Do they hold you in the most correct position etc? I would love to be able to find a Windsor Olympian but I have searched and searched and can’t find any! But wouldn’t mind settling for an Elite. Any info appreciated! Thanks!
Windsor saddles made in Walsall, England are very much quality saddles. I am a big fan, and over the years have ridden in and acquired a number of Windsors. They were quite popular about 15-20 years ago, and the first new saddle I bought was a Windsor BlueLine.
There are actually four models that I know of. The models are the Olympian, the Elite (rarely called a RedLine, it has a red ID button), the BlueLine (with a blue button), and the GreenLine (green button).
Each has a different tree size and shape; the GreenLine seems to have the most curved, banana shape to the panels. The GreenLine has an external block, long in shape, and the others have the blocks under the flaps. All have wide gullets with plenty of spine clearance, gusseted panels and good weight bearing surface area.
I have had a number of Windsors, and my senior horse currently has a Windsor Elite. I also have three other Elites and two BlueLines, in different seat and tree size combos. I recently sold my gorgeous GreenLine that was in brown leather. (Yes, I do seem to have a collection, trying to downsize. 
)
The Olympian is not easy to find, it has extra padding over the skirt flap that covers the stirrup bars, for rider comfort. I believe it also has a buffalo print leather on the flap, but that might be an option. It looks to have a higher cantle for a supportive seat. I have not had “hands on” the Olympian, but it looks fairly similar to the Elite.
The Elite is a very classic, correct saddle. No bells and whistles, but very well made and I have used it on several horses. It has a moderate to smaller thigh block that is a longer shape, and a fairly open seat. Usually these are found in #3 (medium tree), #3.5 (medium wide) and #4 (wide) tree sizes. Seat sizes go from 16-18", with 17" and 17.5" most commonly found in used saddles. My Swedish WB goes in a #4 tree size.
The Elite was developed as warmbloods became more popular in dressage. I like that the seat is open, the thigh roll is not huge, and my leg just drops into a good position. No fighting leg position getting jammed by a massive block. Good if you have a nice, independent and balanced seat. And if you don’t have that yet, the Elite can help you develop one since you won’t be “held in” by thigh blocks and a snug seat.
The BlueLine has a more obvious thigh block. The shape of the block is such that it supports the mid-thigh to knee part of my leg. I rode several horses in BlueLines, and eventually found that the length of my femur and where my knee came against the thigh block was not allowing my leg to drop into position, and I felt like I was fighting my position in it. I had one of my BL saddles modified in the block by an independent fitter, to a longer shape that suited my leg better (closer to the Elite shape). The BL also has a bit more support in the cantle than the more open seat of the Elite.
There is a clone to the BlueLine which simply had a different name and “button”, called the Hintermeyer. It is made by the same company and built on the BL tree. So you may see both names, or see a BL listed as a Hintermeyer.
Pricing depends on age and condition of the saddle. They are well made saddles, IMO, built on a classic wood spring tree. The leather quality is very good, and I have some saddles that are nearing 20 years old, looking great. (Inspected twice a year and fitted to each horse as needed.) Some have had billets replaced or have been reflocked, but all have held up very well to daily riding and age. No wearing on the seat, at the most there might be a mark on the flap where the stirrup leather lays against it.
There used to be a rep in California who ordered Windsors in from England. I discovered that the rep just ordered from a vendor in Denmark, and charged me $$$ for placing the order. After communicating directly with the saddle maker, I have now purchased new saddles directly from the stockist in Denmark.
The company that makes them, King’s Saddlery, is very easy to communicate with. I was able to track down info on some used and new saddles I bought from the serial numbers, such as the year the saddle was built. The history of the company is an interesting read about the saddlery industry in Walsall, England.
King’s Saddlery:
And the Danish site that sells new Windsor saddles direct:
http://www.tattersall.dk/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Windsor&PHPSESSID=afd913ec327b91a6f1c0ce8912eb2ff2
Feel free to PM if I can answer any questions. I ride in at least one Elite every day.
Thank you so much for taking time to reply in such detail, I appreciate it! The Windsor Elite I am looking at is a really good price so I think I need to snatch it up 
I would really like to find an Olympian as I have been using one lately and really like it, but it seems like the Elite might be just as good. I feel that the Olympian has a little deeper seat than the rest of the models. Would you agree? Did you say those two companies you mentioned have used Windsors too? Thanks again for your help!
Not much to add to Keys’ great post (thanks for all that info!) but checking in to say that I ride in a Windsor Olympian. I purchased it used as a stop gap solution and ended up loving and keeping it as my daily rider. Though probably many years old, my saddle is wonderful. Buffalo flaps, smooth leather seat, wide panels, smaller blocks but a fairly deep seat. The quality is equal to the older Albion saddles and superior to the newer ones.
[QUOTE=bethmei;8866083]
Thank you so much for taking time to reply in such detail, I appreciate it! The Windsor Elite I am looking at is a really good price so I think I need to snatch it up I would really like to find an Olympian as I have been using one lately and really like it, but it seems like the Elite might be just as good. I feel that the Olympian has a little deeper seat than the rest of the models. Would you agree? Did you say those two companies you mentioned have used Windsors too? Thanks again for your help![/QUOTE]
You’re welcome! I have not ridden in the Olympian, but it does appear to have a little deeper seat than the Elite. I would expect it to be very similar.
As far as the links I posted, the first is the actual saddle maker’s site. The saddles they have on their dressage page vary, there are some new ones I have not seen before. It also looks like they have updated their offerings for custom options available for order, like special leathers, bling on the cantle, etc. I did not order my saddle directly from King’s Saddlery, they referred me to the stockist in Denmark after my experience with the only US rep (no longer dealing with Windsors; see below).
It does appear that the Danish stockist has some used Windsors. My poor efforts at translating seem to indicate that they have some used Elites for sale. “Brugt” is ‘used’, “Sort” is ‘black’ for leather color, and the seat size and tree size are stated.
TBH, if I was buying used, I would purchase locally or from a US saddle shop. There are enough used saddle shops to choose from, and some sellers on eBay, that allow trials. Easier if you don’t know what seat size and tree size you’ll need, or want to compare different combos of seat/tree sizes. In the US, I believe you will ONLY find used Windsors in your search (unless you happen to find someone like me who snagged a few new ones, that are still in new, unused condition).
In my situation, I did know exactly what I needed, but had two different experiences purchasing the saddles new.
The first was a new Elite saddle ordered from the US rep in CA. I had purchased a BlueLine from her about ten years previously, with no issues. I expected a smooth experience, with a customary wait time for a new saddle that had to come from the maker.
This time, tho, I had an unpleasant surprise with the Elite saddle I ordered from her. I was assured that my saddle was paid in full, and I got emails from her about when it should arrive. It kept getting pushed a week or two later. I finally tracked it down, and discovered that my saddle was sitting somewhere in Texas waiting for me to pay Import Duty on it! I thought that was pretty poor customer service from the US rep, who had already tacked on a spiff on the cost of my saddle, gave me a firm price and charged my credit card. Then she simply ordered it from the Danish site, and gave my personal address for delivery, instead of shipping it to her company and making sure it was what I ordered, in good condition.
That left me responsible for the fees if I wanted to get my saddle, since my info was on the shipping paperwork. I ended up having to pay the Import Duty to actually get the saddle that I had already paid for in full, according to the US rep. All attempts at communicating with the US person failed. I never got a refund for the Import Duty from that US rep. And of course, enough time had gone by that I could not get my CC company involved. I won’t ever recommend that person, if she is still even a source for new Windsors. :mad:
So the next Elite I simply bought directly from the Danish site. And I knew up front the cost with shipping AND Import Duty.
I will say that the saddles have been consistent over the years. In contrast, with some more spendy saddles, I’ve heard that buyers can have problems. As an example, I hear this often enough: you test ride a saddle, love it, order it, and then what arrives is completely different from what you test rode/trialled. It feels completely different. Some companies will change the tree from the original, or other components, make “upgrades” to the design— and the new saddle you just paid $$$$ for feels nothing like the saddle you tried.
You should be fine with the Elite in that regard, accounting for current flocking and then fitting to your horse.
Wow that sounds like that was extreamly frustrating when dealing with that US rep. I’m happy you were able to have a better experience ordering straight from the Danish sight.
I do know by seat size and I am pretty confident on the tree size. The Olympain tree sizes differ from the Elite’s I think. The Elite I am looking at is a 17.5 and a size 3 for the tree. I believe that is a medium right? Which I am hoping will work! The Windsor I currently use is a X5 which I think is a wide and it is a little big for my horse. Thanks again for your help, I think I am going to purchase an Elite. I have found one that is my size and a really good deal. They seem like quality saddles so I don’t think I should pass this one up!
[QUOTE=bethmei;8866319]
Wow that sounds like that was extreamly frustrating when dealing with that US rep. I’m happy you were able to have a better experience ordering straight from the Danish sight.
I do know by seat size and I am pretty confident on the tree size. The Olympain tree sizes differ from the Elite’s I think. The Elite I am looking at is a 17.5 and a size 3 for the tree. I believe that is a medium right? Which I am hoping will work! The Windsor I currently use is a X5 which I think is a wide and it is a little big for my horse. Thanks again for your help, I think I am going to purchase an Elite. I have found one that is my size and a really good deal. They seem like quality saddles so I don’t think I should pass this one up![/QUOTE]
And that’s just how I started my collection. :lol: 
I don’t know the exact tree on the Olympian, but if it is an #X5, that would be an Extra Wide. A tree size of #3 in the Elite is a medium. The Elite also has two other wider trees, the #3.5 (Medium Wide) and #4 (Wide) which tend to be a better fit for a warmblood, IMO. Unless your horse is fairly narrow, a #3 in the Elite might not be wide enough. Your best bet is to have an independent fitter check the saddle and the horse shape to evaluate fit.
You could also easily email King’s Saddlery and ask how the trees are different in the two models, and ask what tree size in the Elite might have the best chance to fit your horse. They are very good at responding to email inquiries.
I perceive the #4 on the Elite is not ALL that wide. It sure was not wide enough for my WIDE horse.
Love the feel of that saddle!
[QUOTE=mjhco;8866416]
I perceive the #4 on the Elite is not ALL that wide. It sure was not wide enough for my WIDE horse.
Love the feel of that saddle![/QUOTE]
I agree, the #4 in the Elite fits my warmbloods, but wouldn’t fit a WIDE horse.
I’m just not sure how a #5 in the Olympian compares to a #3 in the Elite.
(What saddles do your horses go in, MJHCO?)
[QUOTE=keysfins;8866469]
I agree, the #4 in the Elite fits my warmbloods, but wouldn’t fit a WIDE horse.
I’m just not sure how a #5 in the Olympian compares to a #3 in the Elite.
(What saddles do your horses go in, MJHCO?)[/QUOTE]
I love those hoop tree English made saddles.
Both of mine built in Walsall
Shade wears Frank Baines (dressage and jumping saddles) 38 cm
Milty wears a Jeffries. Also that wide. He also can wear Shade’s saddles.
Let me know if you need help in the Danish department
I’m a passier Girl, but a saddle obsession is a worthy cause
[QUOTE=SavaLou;8866682]
Let me know if you need help in the Danish department
I’m a passier Girl, but a saddle obsession is a worthy cause :D[/QUOTE]
Wonderful! Another tack enabler.
Have you heard of the Windsor saddles, with Tattersall.dk as the stockist? What dressage saddles are common in Denmark?
Couldn’t live with the thought of COTH’ers missing out on a shopping opportunity :wink grin:
As said, I’m a passer girl myself and have only ridden in the Windsor Elite, when I’ve ridden my friends horse. Nice enough saddle but I’m 186 cm tall and have the femur equivalent of a highway, so i’m a tough critic.
There’s not many Windsors left in DK dressage, because of the very WIDE warmbloods and i’ve yet to meet a Windsor, fit 4, who could accommodate that…
The latest rage is the Butterfly saddle, but brands like Passier & Albion are the most common. In the lower prize range i see a lot of Bates & Wintec.
I think that we’re quite old school and stick with what we know and what brands that can fit our hippo horses
Tattersall has a really good reputation and is a well known tack store/e shop with a reputation for excellent customer service.
[QUOTE=keysfins;8866370]
[/COLOR][/B]
And that’s just how I started my collection. :lol:
I don’t know the exact tree on the Olympian, but if it is an #X5, that would be an Extra Wide. A tree size of #3 in the Elite is a medium. The Elite also has two other wider trees, the #3.5 (Medium Wide) and #4 (Wide) which tend to be a better fit for a warmblood, IMO. Unless your horse is fairly narrow, a #3 in the Elite might not be wide enough. Your best bet is to have an independent fitter check the saddle and the horse shape to evaluate fit.
You could also easily email King’s Saddlery and ask how the trees are different in the two models, and ask what tree size in the Elite might have the best chance to fit your horse. They are very good at responding to email inquiries.[/QUOTE]
Yes I am definitely going to have to measure the Windsor I have used. It is definitely too wide for my horse but maybe the Windsor Elite #3 will be too narrow. I may need the 3.4 or 4. I guess I might just need to keep looking. How did you contact the Danish company? Through email? I just can’t navigate their site too well due to foreign language barrier. Haha!
[QUOTE=bethmei;8867970]
Yes I am definitely going to have to measure the Windsor I have used. It is definitely too wide for my horse but maybe the Windsor Elite #3 will be too narrow. I may need the 3.4 or 4. I guess I might just need to keep looking. How did you contact the Danish company? Through email? I just can’t navigate their site too well due to foreign language barrier. Haha![/QUOTE]
I first emailed King’s Saddlery when I was researching the ages of some saddles I had, and a couple that I was thinking of buying. I would suggest you email them directly and they should be able to give you more info on the tress and sizes you are considering. The email address is: enquiries@kingsaddlery.co.uk
When I was ready to buy my Elite from the Denmark stockist, I also emailed King’s Saddlery to confirm that the saddles the Danish tack store carried were the same as I had been riding.
Then, I emailed the store, Tattersall.dk to confirm I could make an order to be shipped to the US. Email: office@tattersall.dk
I had no problems at all in making the order. The responses I received were in English, thank goodness!
Now we also have Savalou here to aid in translating.
Thanks so much! I have now started looking into the green line model! Oh boy, I just can’t decide what I want! I really like that the green line has a deeper seat like the Olympian. I was wondering if you were familiar with the tree sizing. I found a green line medium tree and was curious how true to size they run. Are they are the wider or more narrow side. I am looking to use this saddle for both myself and for my lesson horses. I have a couple quarter horses I use and so I am in need of a little wider. Definitely not narrow. Thanks again for your help! Hopefully I can find a saddle soon!
[QUOTE=bethmei;8869184]
Thanks so much! I have now started looking into the green line model! Oh boy, I just can’t decide what I want! I really like that the green line has a deeper seat like the Olympian. I was wondering if you were familiar with the tree sizing. I found a green line medium tree and was curious how true to size they run. Are they are the wider or more narrow side. I am looking to use this saddle for both myself and for my lesson horses. I have a couple quarter horses I use and so I am in need of a little wider. Definitely not narrow. Thanks again for your help! Hopefully I can find a saddle soon![/QUOTE]
I had my youngster in a GreenLine and it was quite comfy, and not at all restrictive, in the seat. The shape of the tree and panels worked for my developing young horse. Once she put on muscle and top line, she ‘graduated’ to a BlueLine, IIRC.
Will you be using one saddle on all QHs? Or on QH school horses and your own warmblood? I don’t think you mentioned on what horse(s) you tried the Olympian and other saddles. Do you have a fitter who can evaluate the different tree and panel shapes and sizes each horse needs? It might not be possible to find a “one size fits all”…
You could email King’s Saddlery and explain the types of horses you intend to use, and they may have suggestions for which model might work best, with respect to tree and panel shapes, and tree sizes.
Fitting the horse properly is the first step, and fitting the rider usually comes in second. IME, the Elite in the #4 tree has worked well on different horses (mostly warmbloods in our barn), but that doesn’t mean it suits every horse. Having a professional fitter helping you will be worth any modest cost. Let me know your location and maybe I can make a suggestion for an independent fitter.
Thanks so much! I will have a professional come out and help me fit the saddle. I am going to get a couple on trial. Hopefully I can find one that works for both horse and rider!
Hi ladies! I’m looking at a Windsor Elite as well, and wondering how it worked out for you? Do any of you wonderful ladies know how they fit (#3) on a WB/TB cross with large withers & substantial shoulders?
Hi TXJumper, are you trying out an Elite?
A size #3 tree is considered a medium in the Elite. If you’ve got large withers and shoulders, you might find the #3 tree to be a bit narrow. All depending on the build, of course. I’ll have to look to see what tree sizes I have in the Elite, I know I have two in #4 tree size, will have to look what other seat/tree size combos I have.
My Swedish WB and my Dutch WB (both 16.2, normal shape) can each go in the Elite #4 tree comfortably, and neither has a huge wither, though both are fairly wide.
I also have the BlueLines in #3 and #3.5 trees. (Sold the GreenLine and of course regret it!!)
