Well folks, I have a Carlyle Dressage 18" (Jon's saddle) which I had ridden in. Need to get a new saddle for Archie (cos he's a fatty poo bah and needs a wider gullet). Ridden in old style county (LOOVED it) then there is the Kieffer.

But was interested in hearing everyone's favourite saddles (also need a jumping saddle for the new boy, as my jumping saddle is a wide, so keen to hear opinions on those too) and why.

Sat on a Bates Innova, not sure I like it, found it really pins you in, but that was on a stand not on a horse.. Seen alot for sale, so keen to hear others thoughts on these too. Perhaps it was just me..

But, putting feelers out - looking for a deap seated 17 - 17.5" dressage saddle (wide) for show/dressage and a good seated (obviously not too deap) jumping saddle (Medium)....

I love my Peter Horobin Pirouette. I've had it about 12 years now. Good deep seat, good size knee rolls, custom made to fit me & my pony.

I love Countys and Barnsby ( even though Barnsbys are noisy!)

I am very impressed with my Ammo. Though it took me a while to work out the go button in the different seat.

I also have a Luc Childeric DAC Dressage which I am totally in love with but it is too small for me and doesnt fit Fergs. It's a 17.5 " wide fit if anyone is interested.

I am also a bit of a fan of the older stubbens. I have two here ( one Mustang Dani has borrowed for her boy) and am very happy with them.

I absolutely love Countys. I had one of the 'bucket seat' styles and it was wonderful to ride in, I only sold it as it was too big and the wrong colour for Faith.

That led me to my 'now' saddle which is a Parkers Citation, beautiful saddle. Fits really well, no slipping or anything and that's on Oscar who is a very wide little pony. It's also not a bulky saddle, so suits the show ring well.

i looooove my Parkers Imperial.
I am quite narrow hipped and find that most saddles are too wide for me and i struggle to sit in them. Beaituful English leather saddle which doesnt look out of place in the show ring either!! (i have a black 16inch one, in new condition for sale if anyone's interested??!!)

This saddle is reasonably flat for a dressage saddle but i can feel the horse through the seat and max responds well to my seat aids through this saddle.

Second favourite would be the Isabel. Find this saddle locks me into position more than the Parkers ,but is still comfy and easy to ride in.

Was a nightmare when i was trying to find a new dressage saddle! Tried the Anky's, Keiffers, Trainers, Barnsby's, Innova, Ambassadors, a friends PH....
Just found they were all too wide for me and i couldnt open my hips and sit "in" them properly.

Im an averaged sized person and curious as to whether anyone else has this problem??


Jumping saddle (on the very rare occasion i jump) is also a Parkers. Very flat ( refer to it as a pony pad ) good knee rolls... Feel quite safe in this saddle. Suede seat.

Love my stock saddle - do lots of long trail riding in that sucker, she has done quite a few miles over the last fourteen years - however would love to buy a half breed saddle, they look comfortable for rider and look like they sit nicely on the horse.
my cheap kinkade gp is the most comfortable saddle I have ever put my bum on! ok so it probably won't last as long as the stock and the bloomin thing squeaks n creaks when I ride in it but it is soooo comfy and very light for the horse.
Can't really afford the saddles mentioned above but don't really have need for one. It depends on what you can afford and if it fits you and your horse.
Thats the thing everyones bum is different and everyone has different taste in what they like to ride in ............I guess its a bit like choosing a mattress

mmmm ~ well i have a few to choose from!

would have to say when i was competing english loved my bates ~ too small now but refuse to part with it!
We have 3 Joey Mcevoy saddles i like the half breed and the 2 westerns ~ sit nice on the horse ~ fit absolutely everything we have ever tried them on
i have a nice english jumping saddle for when i was competing ~ nice and comfy
I have an old wintec gp for when i dont want to be bothered taking a good saddle out that fits everything once again

now the ponies ~ i use status pony pads ~ wish i had wintecs?? look better?
i use status westerns also on them and they look good and stay on them and fit every size back

my girls ride in wintec gps ~ with adjustable gullets ~ they fit everything and are comfortable for them

that amounts to many saddles and yes we need more space to accomodate them.

Any chance you selling that County Fox?

I break in the horses with the Ammo which is awesome, but can't "educate" them in it. Much prefer my dressage for that as I feel I have more freedom of movement and I feel my horses are far more responsive. (My ammo has swinging fenders).

I love the county (old style) thought that was the ultimate, then I sat in a Kieffer.. YEA BABY!!!

Used to train in a wintec and probobly will go back to that to save my good saddles. Especially for jumping. (in case of a stack). Certainly the only make of synthetic which will come any where near my horses back.

I love my Ammo for the young'uns then they are in Isabels best saddle have ever ridden in....keiffers are pardon the expression..fanny grinders..have heard good things about the Luc Childerics (SP) so DC if you want to let me try yours wont say no

Rosie, It's not doing anything here at the mo if you'd like to try it. It's wide but not wide enough for the ferganator.

I love my countys i have a 16inch black competitor, a 16.5inch black competitor and a 16.5inch brown turnout and their lovely saddles. Only thing is i find it hard to ride in the 16inch anymore as the top of my topboots hook on the bottom of the flaps... hehe my legs are a little long instead now ponyprincess uses it on brossy when she rides him

Tx DC but the one I'd look at the Luc for is on hols to grow hes 3 1/2...BUT if you still have it in spring????Would love to try it on him

All good, It's up for sale but haven't been advertising it due to everyone's current lack of finance.

More than welcome to have a ride if it's still here then.

I love my jumping saddle and highly reccomend it
I have a Lemetex stylist jump saddle. You can get them from Jeff Evans or from Mattens saddlery. Has adjustable back knee roles and the front and back ones are a decent size. Theres a flat seat and a deep seat stlye and ive got the deep seat but you cant really clasify it as deep... its medium i spose.
Deap seat version:
http://www.equestrienne.com.au/images/LEMstylistDS2.jpeg