Windsor Dressage Saddles

Hi keysfins! I am looking at one for sale, and very affordable. Debating between that and a Prestige 2000D. He typically is a medium tree. He has some substantial withers, but some good sized shoulders too. He’s been a bit tricky to fit. My CWD jumping saddle is a medium, and fits him great. I’m also wondering if the 17" seat will be large enough. I’m a 17" in a jumper saddle (5’6, 130 lbs), but I’ve been told that some dressage saddles, you need to go up a size. Although, I don’t think that the Windsor is a super deep seat. I’d really like to try this saddle, as I’ve heard some great things - and at $600, it’s probably my best option at that price point. I was trying to stay under $1000. Thanks for any help you can give me!

It won’t let me edit my post. Here is a pic of withers/shoulder.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wl3qknghqftnw2f/IMG_0296.JPG?dl=0

The seat size in dressage saddles doesn’t mean very much when you are comparing saddles, whether between brands, or even different models within a brand. There is no “vanity sizing” in dressage saddles, and a petite rider with a long thigh bone (hip to knee) may well prefer a 17.5" seat in a given saddle.

The size you will feel best in depends on a few things: length of your thigh from hip to knee, the shape of the seat, and how open or supportive/secure-feeling the seat is. The thigh rolls, if present, can make a difference in how a seat feels. Then of course the tree shape, and if you prefer a narrow or wider twist. The “general rule”, if there is one, is to go up a half size or even a full size when going from a jumping saddle to a dressage saddle. But it also could all be hogwash. :slight_smile:

IME, the Elite is a more open seat, the thigh rolls are modest, and don’t lock me in to the saddle. Likewise, the cantle is not shaped to “tuck you in” to the seat. Narrow twist, stirrup bars in a good spot. It is nicely balanced and my leg drops naturally into a good place. The gullet is wide and generous, and this is one of those saddles that seems to fit a variety of horses. I really never think about the saddle, which I think is a good thing.

The tree is not adjustable as far as I know, and I would not try to adjust the actual tree. Flocking can be adjusted if the basic tree and panel shape is suitable. I have my Elites fitted at least once, if not twice a year, to my horses.

If you have the option to try the Elite, go for it. You may find that the tree shape is good on your horse, but he needs a wider tree, or you may need a different seat size. You may find that it just won’t work for one of you. Or it might, with tweaking. So if you can trial it but return if it is not suitable, it might be worth it.

Sometimes I see a well used Windsor for sale at a fairly good price, around $600-900, and it will need some TLC and definitely a reflocking. Then a month later I will see a few saddles in very good condition somewhere else that are in the $1,000-1,600 range. Age and condition of the saddle makes an impact on pricing. If you get the serial number, King’s Saddlery in Walsall, England is very helpful in giving you info on when the saddle was made.

The Elite is around $2,400 new, IIRC, at least a couple of years ago when I last ordered a new one. (Ordered from Denmark, so I had currency conversions plus shipping.)

Feel free to PM me if you have questions, or if I can help at all. :slight_smile:

Everyone else has provided probably way more useful information than I am about to but I have a Windsor Blue line, which is stamped as a Hintermayer Anatomic. I bought it used from a consignment shop a few years ago and it’s still in really great shape. I absolutely love that it only has half a thigh block- it’s a nice “seat belt” whenever I need it, but I don’t feel like my leg is locked into place :slight_smile:

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