I’m very new to dressage, as in have never owned a dressage saddle! Possible new horsey is dressage trained and I rode in the trainers Custom Saddlery Wolfgang Solo with the short block and loved it! It was an 18" Wide. She said they are pretty easy to find used, which of course I see long blocks and not short! Grrr!
But I see Dover and Smartpak sell them in the $2500 range. But on the Custom website they are like a thousand more? What’s the difference as there obviously must be one, or a few!
The ones on the Dover and Smart Pak pages are the “Signature” series which are off the rack. For the difference, you can read more on the Custom Saddlery site and read about the “Custom” ones and the “Signature” series, which are calf leather. The short blocks are a bit harder to find but they are out there. So make sure when you see used ones that you differentiate between Custom and Signature, as the price is quite different.
The quality of the leather is different, but the shape of the seat is identical as far as I can tell. The Dover version is still a very nice saddle.
Thanks all, of course the size, wide tree, and short blocks doesn’t exist used for sale! Ugh!
Actually per my saddle fitter, when I was shopping last year; the Custom and Signature Wolfgang series can vary in seat too; and the leather quality can make them ride very differently. I tried both Customs and Signatures, as well as various Custom models and the Customs varied individually also based on manufacture date. So you want to ride in it before you buy anything.
P.S. You don’t have to shop based on tree size if you have Custom Rep in your area, both Signature and Custom models can have the trees adjusted again per my Saddle fitter when I was shopping last year.
I am currently riding my new young horse in a Wolfgang Solo (an older model with the long blocks) and absolutely love it. My trainer’s been nice enough to lend it to me so I don’t have to buy a new saddle for my guy until he is further along (and hopefully finished growing.) That said, the saddles are very adjustable so if you see something that is close to the spec you want, your local fitter can likely tweak it to fit you perfectly.
I see them on Ebay from time to time (and there is one on there now with short blocks, but it’s a 17.5") so you might want to set up a search there. Also, many Custom reps have a decent inventory of used / demo / trade in saddles available so you might want to call your local person and see what they have. Even if they don’t happen to have what you are looking for today, you never know what they will come across tomorrow.
They are great saddles; good luck finding one that you love!
Thanks, I did know that the fitters can change the tree a bit. My local fitter hasn’t been too responsive so I worry about that.
Some of the used saddle sellers like fine-used-saddles.com and Skyland saddlery can adjust the tree for you if you send them a wither tracing.
Have an appt next month with a Custom fitter! Hoping to get something figured out that doesn’t require a 10-14 week wait!
