Shires Optimus Puissance or Thorowgood T8 Jump Saddle?

[NU ABO]

I'm looking to get my boy a new saddle in time for the Spring/Summer season and as jumping is our main discipline and I've been told that given his style of jumping, the flatter the seat and a more forward cut, the better I'll be able to hold my position upon landing.

He's currently in the Shires Optimus GP which we both find comfortable (far more comfortable than when he's in our Martin Wilkinson leather VSD) so I've naturally looked at their jumping saddle, but I do also like the look of the Thorowgood T8 for not much more money.

He's a relatively wide built IDX (in a wide fit gullet bar in the Shires saddle).

So which of these two do people rate higher, or is there another brand out there that I'm overlooking?

 

[StormyGale]

I have the shires jump saddle and love it I have big ISH and fits him well and comfy for me I have long legs and jumping in gp was awful plus they are actually nice looking saddles given their reasonably cheap and u have options of changing it if horse changes shape too without changing the whole saddle

 

[NU ABO]

I have the shires jump saddle and love it I have big ISH and fits him well and comfy for me I have long legs and jumping in gp was awful plus they are actually nice looking saddles given their reasonably cheap and u have options of changing it if horse changes shape too without changing the whole saddle

Yeah that's what I love about the interchangeable gullets.
In the GP saddle I feel like my position isn't comfortable when he takes a bigger jump, which he's doing almost all the time now that he's fitter and less inclined to be lazy!

 

[Dizzle]

When I had my tb I originally bought a thorowgood and apart from the awful fit (bad saddler) couldn't fault it, I borrowed a Shires saddle for him and was the best fitting saddle I had EVER had on him, just a shame it was a vile piece of cheaply made tat, staples holding it together and the nut in the gullet plate kept working loose, plus the material/leather was or not great quality. Damn shame as it fitted like a dream!

 

[NU ABO]

When I had my tb I originally bought a thorowgood and apart from the awful fit (bad saddler) couldn't fault it, I borrowed a Shires saddle for him and was the best fitting saddle I had EVER had on him, just a shame it was a vile piece of cheaply made tat, staples holding it together and the nut in the gullet plate kept working loose, plus the material/leather was or not great quality. Damn shame as it fitted like a dream!

Really?
We've had our GP for almost 2 years now and we haven't any problems with the quality of the product.

My biggest worry with the Thorowgood is that a friend of mine has a Kent & Masters saddle (essentially Thorowgoods leather brand) and it's such an uncomfortable saddle for the rider, I don't know what the fit is like for the horse because it wasn't my horse, but it's pointless if I can't sit right anyway.
But I don't know if the Thorowgood brand would be better.

 

[moana]

T8 = providing it fits of course.

 

[saddlesore]

I like thorowgood saddles - not keen on k&m

 

[xgemmax]

I have the t8 and love it if I could afford it I'd love a kent and masters- same shape and design as thorogood as made by the same people but entirely leather. But for now I really rate the t8, looks like a completely leather saddle too, you wouldn't notice the panels were synthetic unless you get up really close!