Lots of opinions pls

[hock]

So interesting to see the variables!

My favourite was a Farrington International Event saddle, closely followed by GFS Monarch.

I currently have an Ideal Impala which is fine, but nowhere near as comfy as the above!

ETA I really wanted an Albion but found them so uncomfortable and couldn’t get into the right position - definitely worth trying a few and seeing what suits you.

I’d forgotten about Farrington saddles. I’ve never seen a farrington that didn’t look lovely!

 

[hock]

Devoucoux all the way.
Not cheap though...
No idea on what shape they fit though I have to admit.

I love the look of devecoux always have been saddley (do you see what I did there?) my horse isn’t the right shape but they always look so comfy!

 

[cobgoblin]

I sold a mare last year with the h&c ideal and I regretted it! Especially because I only let it go with her as knew she would have a fitted saddle .. which they swapped to a winged. Hmm

This sort of 'winged' ?

 

[hock]

This sort of 'winged' ?

View attachment 120735

Ha ha do you know I have form for this kind of typos .. on this forum . Wintec

 

[Hannahgb]

Loved my Harry Dabbs

 

[MagicMelon]

I have a WOW which I like, however I find it pretty heavy. If I had the money Id love to try a BOA one, they look lightweight and so modern.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

There's so many variables its hard to say.

My most favourite saddles to jump in have been Equipe, Lementex and a Winners Circle saddle. However, the Equipe and Lementex were not 'comfy' as hacking saddles as the seats were flat and 'relatively' hard as for jumping your not sat down that much I guess! The Winners Circle is super comfy but not an out and out jump saddle like the others, though I love it for jumping too and it has purple patent and stitching (it was made for me and I love it).

Mum has a copy of an Ideal (own brand based on an Ideal) which is really comfy for hacking, but I can't abide jumping in it, it is suppose to be an 'event' saddle, not sure if it was just a fancy way of saying GP lol.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Love my lavinia Mitchell Dressage saddles they are so comfortable and most people who have ridden my horses say how lovely they are.

My other favourite was an Ideal Jessica was gutted when I sold it as it didn't fit either of the horses I have now.

 

[ChipperKipper]

I really like my Albion (they seem to either be loved or hated on here, not much in-between). BUT I also have an incredibly comfortable Acavallo gel pad on top and it is amazing.

 

[sbloom]

These threads always make me smile wryly

The most important factors in fitting the rider:

Riders pelvic shape, seatbones, pubic arch, rami

Rider's hip confirmation

Horse's back and ribcage shape

These are always unique.

Comfort is not the same as functional, and if we're not functional then we're hindering our horse to a greater or lesser extent. The more a saddle sits us over the centre of gravity of the horse and over our feet, the better. Then some inward rotation of the legs and a dropped knee, the seat and thigh making the channel for the horse to push up into.

A chair seat can be very comfortable, especially if that's what we're used to.

Functional can be a bit uncomfortable to begin with, physically or mentally.

Big blocks and deep seats are usually making up for a lack of stability for pelvis and legs.

More foam in the seat can't fix seat shape, and having a bit added here or there, or the twist carved is uaully a lottery.

Start asking your fitters if they analyse the rider off horse including assessing pelvis and hip shape.

 

[daydreamer]

I did most of my riding in riding schools when I was younger so don't really seem to notice saddles unless they are truly awful! My old TB had a cheap Thorowgood High wither saddle which I actually found comfortable. My last share horse had some sort of Kent and Masters saddle which put you in a chair position and was hideous if you actually tried to sit/ride properly in it. My current saddle is a Wow which I find very comfortable in the sense that I don't really notice it. The fitter tried one of the deeper seats first but she must have seen something in my face as after a few minutes she said "nope, that's not the seat for you". I ended up with a continental seat on a flat tree to suit both me and my round/flat-backed horse.