Hi - my jump saddle is starting to not fit my horse properly any more as his topline has developed. I am starting to look for a new saddle and I know what I want, but not really what types of saddles might fit my criteria ( I am looking for general guidance on particular types of saddles - so I can then go out and try them out on my horse- I just want to know where to start) So if anyone can give me some suggestions - that would be great. Right now, Im not going to worry about price, just trying to find the ideal - and then I'll go from there. So here is what I want/need:

deepest seat possible

good for a taller person (I am tall and thin - 5'9")

I don't want an all purpose but I'd like something without a super forward flap. I have difficulty keeping my legs underneath me in a jump saddle because of a bad back, so anything that would help in that regard would be awesome.

Also, is it possible to either get a custom saddle or to find one that is already like has the stirrup bars are farther back? If so, I was thinking that might help me keep my legs in the correct position as well...

Also, my horse is fairly easy to fit - hes a warmblood and a pretty standard medium tree.

thanks for any and all advice!!

if you're not worried about price, get a custom for your horse and yourself. my favorite is antares, i think they make a great saddle. devacouxs are very nice too, although they're definitely pricey. I had a butet from beval, and it's okay, but probably not the greatest for fit or position. Tad coffins are awful too. There's plenty of other brands, but those are the ones I've had the most experience with.

Talk to a dealer about the adjustments you want made, I'm sure they can do it. If you're tall though, you may need a more forward flap to fit your leg, since your thigh to knee is longer. I'm about your height and my saddle is huge, I have to order custom fitted pads that are extra forward, extra long =/

Good suggestions from above poster.

Also look into Black Country saddles. I am tall and thin also... and very long legged. Someone at my barn has one of these saddles that I love for many reasons...

-deep seat... deep enough to do dressage in but not hard to get out of when jumping or galloping [ I event...]

-forward flap - my knee usually goes over the flat on standard saddles because of my freakish legs but not on this one

-huge knee and thigh blocks - make it near impossible for my leg to move out of position... however these are optional on the saddle

-the leather is SUCH high quality, and I love the buffalo hide because it is very grippy

-surge panels that conform to your horses back and the wool helps decrease pressure points


These saddles are custom made to your specs if you buy straight from the company.

http://www.blackcountrysaddles.co.uk/

I have a custom Black Country that I got through a fitter in my area, and it's pretty fabulous. I would say for the money, it's one of, if not the best saddle you can get (particularly if you go through a really good dealer like I did, and it's guaranteed to fit both me and my horse). I have something along the lines of the Wexford, I guess, I think it's actually called the Galway or the Kelley or something that my dealer gets special made for her business. The people are really nice, easy to work with, and they work fast. I got my saddle in about 3 weeks, I think. It's comfy, the surge panels form to my horses' backs, I can jack my stirrups up or leave them long, basically I would have a baby if I could manage to find a used dressage in my price range.

If you are anywhere near NE I can give you my person's info, but you should be able to find someone in other areas, they are getting more and more popular. Albion also makes some excellent saddles, but I think the dressage ones are better than the jumping saddles.

The best saddle ever made in my opinon is the Antares!!!!!

once you ride in it, you will never go back lol.

http://www.antaressaddle.com/

I had an antares for a few years, and went with devoucoux for my next one. I guess I'll have to see which I like better.

yeah the newer ones are to die for lol...well thats what i think at least

If your horse is easy to fit, then your best bet is to walk into a saddle shop and just sit in saddles all day. If you like the seat of one, ask someone to hang stirrups/leathers from it and sit in it again, which will tell you if the stirrup bars are far back enough/your leg won't come so far over the flap you look like a jockey. ;) They're usually pretty nice about it, and just wrap the leathers in fleece. It really saves the hassle of bringing back saddles to try on your horse when you realize that your leg doesn't fit right once you have your irons.

Personally, I'm coveting a Prestige Nona Garson right now, but that's just me. I rode in my friend's and absolutely melted over it! (Funny thing is, she hates it, and so does everyone else that's ridden in hers... go figure!)

Try this web site, trumbullmtn.com, they have alot to choose from.

Try a DelGrange PJ Pro.

http://www.pjsaddlesonline.com/collection.htm

I am also tall, 5'9" and my horse is a TB/warmblood cross with wide shoulders and high withers. He's not the easiest horse to fit a saddle to but the DelGrange fit him off the rack as if it was custom made for him. As it has broken in, it fits even better!
I have never ridden in a saddle that just drops the leg into the correct position like this one and it has knee rolls with just enough padding for security over bigger jumps but not so much that you get "stuck" in the tack.

Good luck!

I love Antares saddles. They are great quality and hold up to a lot. I have Buffalo/Calfskin and I love it.

Yes, however they moved their factory to the US so the quality has gone down drastically in the leather

try the county saddles

CWD or antares, I hate devoucoux but it's all personal choice.

yep, CWD!

www.cwdsellier.com