Well I took the plunge and ordered a treeless one off E-bay - £40 thereabouts.
I have an 11.3 hh and needed one for the grandkids that wasn't expensive etc. I also liked the synthetic because of the secure feel it gives.
It is an Indian manufacturer but I bought it off an english e-bay store. It's ok for the price butthe only gripe I have is that the seat part is stuck on by very strong velcro - which would be fine except the D rings at the front on which I attached a "handle" is also attached to the stuck on bit so when my g/daughter began to wobble and pull on the "handle" it started ripping the velcro - which spooked the pony - which went faster and faster and the whole seat came off with my g/daughter!
If you have a jockey with a safe seat and doesn't need to hold on - this would not be a problem at all and other than then I am pleased with it for the money I paid and the amount it will get used.
Hope this helps
Thank you, my next step will be to find a very brave jockey. The pony is a stunning mover and can jump quite high but I think the child may need superglue to hold them on to start with