Your opinion - The Best Hunter/Jumper Saddles available in the Market?

[horsepoor]

@Go Fish;5398066

I have a Tad Coffin which is a great saddle, but a little to hard on the hiney to suit my tastes. My horse loves it, though.

Supposedly, the new ones are softer! I loved my Tad (and older, hard one) but sold it as it didn’t fit any of my current horses. I kind of wish I’d held on to it. It just put me in the right position and after I got used to the “hardness”, I loved it!

I have a County for one horse, and like it, don’t love it. But the horse was happy … and I managed to ride in it ok, so it works. Just never felt quite as well balanced as in my Tad.

When I have to buy another (will I ever have a sound jumping horse again…???), I’ll likely go Black Country. I just loved the demo I had to try, but that horse is also on lay-up now, so never bought one. But I like it better than my County, and it costs much less – so a win-win, if I ever need to buy again.

For now, my saddles are just works of art decorating my garage. [insert self-pitying sigh]

[hessy35]

You guys are a wealth of knowledge. Thank you all so much for your opinions!!

[KnickerB]

A student just got a Devoucoux and she loves it, horse is happy and I must say, I’m loving it too when I sit on him.

[ChelseaNY]

I love my Butet. Mark from Beval’s came to my stable and we tested a few sizes and he customized the saddle for my horse. We are both very happy with the results!

[LearnToFly]

[QUOTE=alittlegray;5397222]
pj delgrange[/QUOTE]

Most comfortable saddle I have ever sat in

[Pally]

[QUOTE=meupatdoes;]

My personal rule is to run, not walk, away from anything that is foam filled and French. JMO.[/QUOTE]

for those who feel like running away from the foam, but would rather not run from the French, the ADT can actually be wool flocked.

[Across_Sicily]

I’ve had Countys and a Bruno Delgrange and very much like both of them. Antares and I do not get along at all for some reason, and Childeric just wasn’t quite right.

It’s all so individual, though… some people swear by their Pessoas or Ovations or whatever else - it’s all about you and your horse! (and your budget!)

[LARGEBORE]

Pessoa have a perfect balance for jumping. I have always been happy with mine.

[kelsey97]

I have been on a saddle hunt for about 3 months. I just bought a (barely) used CWD and I love it!! I totally agree with the other posts that a saddle is so individualized, you have to find what works for you and your horse So, there really isn’t “the best saddle on the market” they are all good for somebody…you have to find your “best” saddle! Good luck, it’s very frustrating but, you’ll find that perfect saddle at the price you want to pay.

[mcohen416]

A lot of the riders at my barn have recently gotten custom Antares, and while they are beautiful saddles, I dont really feel comfortable when I ride in them. Which is probably because they aren’t custom to me :winkgrin:

I havent heard anything about the ADT saddles. Did they just come out with the line?

[pony4me]

ADT selling saddles in the USA is relatively new. Three people at my barn have one now. I had a Pessoa that wore out after years of great service, and another lady had a CWD and switched. I don’t know what the other person had.

As other people have mentioned, what’s “best” is what fits you and your horse. I was lucky enough that the base (without any customization) saddle fit both of us well. The person that had the CWD had the same experience.

And don’t forget Smith-Worthington. My pony has a custom saddle from them, and it’s been very good over the years. Probably needs to have the back stuffed up more, but that’s normal. The SW measuring guide is wonderful if you live somewhere with few saddle fitters.

[doublesstable]

I agree it’s so individual for you and your horses. Most of the posters have provided many of the top H/J saddles.

From my observation at A shows and A barns the majority of riders use either a CWD or Devocoux. (in my neck of the woods anyway)

Having horses for 35+ years I can say my CWD is the most comfortable saddle I have “ever” ridden in. I also have a custom Albion dressage saddle and still rate my CWD top.

Every time I ride I boast to my hubby at how glad I am and thankfull that I was able to get this saddle because it fits so well, is comfortable and when I jump I feel right with the horse all the time.

I have never been a Stubben fan. Every rider I see in one is in a chair seat… but I suppose it again might depend on rider and horse conformation.

[airineek]

Hermes Saddle-Changed my Life!

I am a huge fan of the French saddles. The leather on most of these is top quality and it really shows. Beval Butets are great. I recently purchased a lightly used Hermes Essentielle saddle and it has greatly improved the way I ride. In spite of riding almost daily and taking lessons, I still had slight lower leg swinging going on and I a habit of occasionally collapsing forward with my upper body into the “adult rider fetal position”.

With the Hermes, my entire leg stays still and I can sit up. I feel very secure. It’s like night and day. The balance of this saddle and the grippy leather is just great. The leather and workmanship is beautiful. It’s the best piece of sporting equipment I’ve ever purchased.

[dani0303]

I had a LOVELY Delgrange that I had to sell because it didn’t fit my horse properly. After years of trying to find the right saddle (rode in Bates, Butet, and Stubben) I FINALLY found what I was looking for an Antares. You couldn’t pry that saddle from my cold, dead hands. Lol

[SidesaddleRider]

PJ Delgrange or Bruno Delgrange.

We have 3 currently. I sold the Butets, Hermes, and Antares, they just didn’t fit enough horses.

I did ride in a CWD when I tried a horse and really liked it, but don’t have much experience with how they fit a wide variety of backs.

[LovesHorses]

[QUOTE=mcohen416@ufl.edu;5400066]
A lot of the riders at my barn have recently gotten custom Antares, and while they are beautiful saddles, I dont really feel comfortable when I ride in them. Which is probably because they aren’t custom to me :winkgrin:

I havent heard anything about the ADT saddles. Did they just come out with the line?[/QUOTE]

When the saddle companies say custom, you aren’t really getting true “custom”, as in you are the only one that has that saddle. You are choosing between model, tree, seat size and flap. I am not sure people always get that.

I used to ride in a bunch of Antares and Devoucoux. I never liked the large pommel with the Devoucoux. I found after about 6 months each one would fit much different than when new. I kept having to pay extra to trade them in for one that fits. Is that because they are foam flocked?? Like the foam is change shape? Super annoying.

I got my “custom” Bruno Del Grange in October of 2009. I LOVE it!! It fits all the horses and various shapes and sizes of ponies I ride. I prefer a flat, less padded saddle, but you can always ask for more.

[RugBug]

@LovesHorses;5418523

When the saddle companies say custom, you aren’t really getting true “custom”, as in you are the only one that has that saddle. You are choosing between model, tree, seat size and flap. I am not sure people always get that.

Yep. Most of the saddles we call “custom” are actually semi-custom.

I got my “custom” Bruno Del Grange in October of 2009. I LOVE it!! It fits all the horses and various shapes and sizes of ponies I ride. I prefer a flat, less padded saddle, but you can always ask for more.

I ordered my Bruno Delgrange in April, it arrived the beginning of June. I’ve been in heaven ever since. I LOVE it. I got the flat seat and smallest knee rolls and pads available. We had discussed no knee rolls, but Paul recommended I get them because they could always be removed later. He was right.

I don’t use it on a lot of horses because the panels were made for my hard to fit TB, but it does fit him great and is one of the only saddles I’ve had on him that didn’t slide back to never, never land.

[ivy62]

Saddle shopping is so personal. I tried everything I could sit in at Rolex one year without notice of price and the one I liked the best was the L’Apogee. County adn Antares came to see my horse and both said custom all the way. So I am looking at big dollar signs…I also didn’t want to buy something that I would get stuck with if I didn’t ride in it and it urned out I didn’t like it. I took my little templates with me when sitting in all those saddles and off the rack came my saddle. A shim here and there depending on how he is and a perfect fit. The amazing thing is we got another horse and with a change in shims it fits him too!
I didn’t like the Devoucoux at all when I sat in it…I checked out everything from $500-$5,000! All I can say is I love my saddle and the sevice has been excellent. I have never had a problem with them at all. Sometimes dealing with a smaller company can be a plus. I think I might buy a dressage saddle from them also…
Good Luck!

[Ray]

[QUOTE=horsepoor;5398150]
Supposedly, the new ones are softer! I loved my Tad (and older, hard one) but sold it as it didn’t fit any of my current horses. I kind of wish I’d held on to it. It just put me in the right position and after I got used to the “hardness”, I loved it!..][/QUOTE]

Yes, the new A5 (aka TC2) is softer and has a slightly deeper seat. It has been completely re-designed tree - check out /www.smartridesmartrider.com/. My trainer and my spouse each have one and love them. I have an older A5 that I got reburbished and love it as well.

the most important thing is to have an INDEPENDENT saddle fitter see if the saddle fits the horse. the saddle can feel great to you and like crap to your pony.

[morganpony86]

[QUOTE=chunky munky;5396913]
The best saddle is the one that suits you, will fit your horse and the one that is in your budget.[/QUOTE]

Definitely

I think the Countys are butt-ugly. I love Antares. I could also probably go with a Devocoux.]
ETA- I also ADORE my Bates.