Saddle reviews

05-06-2009, 10:31 AM

Having tried quite a few dressage saddles lately I thought I would post up a brief review of what I have tried, as so many people (including myself) always ask about different saddles.

Please add yours...

These saddles were tried on my big Stockhorse mare. Built like a warmblood and is an elevated mover. Highish wither, and is a wide on the wintec gullet gauge. Oh and I am size 8, not very tall but have longish upper legs.

Riviera Monaco - Nice looking little saddle, seemed to fit my horse well but I thought the seat was sooo hard and my position was pretty awful in it, made me use my seat less and my stirrups more. Didn't like the quality of the leather.

Trainers Jessica - LOVED this saddle, lovely soft seat, put me in a nice natural position without locking me in, has big knee rolls but not restrictive. Fitted my big mare well. Very nice quality saddle. Nice wide channel.

Kieffer Kur - AMAZING to sit in, fitted Jing nicely, but the big knee rolls are a killer if you don't have super long legs!!! Quality was fantastic too. Nice wide channel and lots of wither room.

Kieffer malmo - very nice to ride in, seat is harder than the Kur but it would soften nicely. This really made me feel like a real dressage rider LOL

Doesn't have the big knee rolls, gives you a fantastic position with room to move BUT it does have a narrow channel. So I wouldn't recommend it for wide load horses. I was really upset that this one didn't fit my horse as I would've loved a Kieffer, am disapointed with how narrow the channel is, this has been a problem with older Kieffers and I thought they'd fixed it.

Anky - Very much like the Jessica for comfort and fit factor, I found that in this saddle on my horse I gripped with my knees big time, and because I was concentrating so hard on not gripping my position went everywhere. I have ridden other horses in this saddle without that problem, so maybe it's just the combination of my horse, me and the saddle

I did alot of no stirrup work and that helped a little bit, but knee gripping is not a problem I have usually.

I think I am going to go with the Jessica, good price for such a nice saddle!

Please add yours, I think it could be useful to anyone wanting to look at saddles and not knowing what to get.

Gee can you tell I don't have much work to do...

ETA: I know that what works for one might not work for the other, but it's good to share experiences!

Playin With Fire · 05-06-2009, 10:42 AM

Awesome thread.
Be interesting to see others feedback!

Cheeki · 05-06-2009, 01:30 PM

I admit I do like the Trainers saddles for their price - pretty good IMO

lucky · 05-06-2009, 02:09 PM

Wonderful post!!!

Have just started looking as well-so it is great to hear everyones elses views!!!!!
I was all set to go and buy myself a Kieffer Kur.....until I actually sat in it-the knee rolls didn't suit my leg length at all- I was gutted!!!!
Actually liked the Kieffer Lech Profi to sit in-didn't try a Malmo-will definitely go and try one!!
My horse will end up quite wide as well though(Clydesdale/Percheron/Thoroughbred!!)but was hoping since they can be changed to suit "any" horse(salesman talk!!)that it could be adjusted as he grew-I actually didn't realise that the channels would be too different in each brand within a brand(ie Kieffer!)so I appreciate your feedback Bon and Ted!!!!!
Arggggh back to more research!!!!!!!
Cheers!

05-06-2009, 02:16 PM

haha Lucky yep I sat in the Kur and it was gorgeous, then tried to trot and it was too hard. I certainly aint paying in excess of $4K for something not quite right. Shame, though I think it would be wonderful for someone with long legs!

My girl is wide but not like hippo wide, I imagine anything with clyde and perch in it would be wider. But the Malmo was sooo tight on her. Bringing it back tommorow (trial saddle) maybe the bigger gullet sizes have a wider channel. As this channel I can't even fit 4 fingers accross it

I wouldn't recommend it for anything remotely wide UNLESS the channel can be widened, and I don't want to have to have that much adjusting done to a rather exy saddle.

Sit trot in the Malmo though was a breeze!

I really liked the Jessica, it is a really lovely saddle, and as far as position and comfort went, it is a strong contender with the Kieffer (and about 2K less!!!) Oh and the Jessica has a nice wide channel

lucky · 05-06-2009, 02:27 PM

Have just been looking at the Jessica's online-sound very nice!!!
Will go and have a look next week!!!

Would love to know if the Malmo is any wider with a bigger gullet size-will watch this thread!!!

Cheers!

justanothergirl · 05-06-2009, 02:46 PM

Currently trying the Riviera Tuscany, which I think will be a go'er for the time being, seems to fit both my horses well. Although I do agree with you B&T the seat is a little on the hard side.

I have/had a Trainers Jessica as well. It is good value for money but unfortunately just doesn't fit either of my horses.

Nickelodeon · 05-06-2009, 02:59 PM

This is a sticky worthy thread, fantastic idea B&T

I'll definitely use this in the future as a reference

purplepony · 05-06-2009, 03:47 PM

Can I ask who is the saddlefitter you are using and how have you found their service and knowledge of fitting (not just brands)? PM me if they aren't advertisers... thanks

KKKiroo · 05-06-2009, 03:54 PM

Roosli Pilatus dressage
I have a Roosli (Swiss made) dressage saddle and LOVE it!
It has a deep seat without being too deep, short slaps (as my legs arent very long) and beautiful sodt leather. Very nice quality. Hard to find though.
Passier These are lovely saddles. Good quality, correct position
RivierasI did thry boththe Tuscany and Monaco but felt they didnt put me in the correct position, the leather wasnt of the best quality and the seat was rock hard. I wanted them to be good because the price is so great however after I sat in my Roosli I made my choice.