DefinitelyDressage.com

Recently had the saddle fitter out and bought a new saddle. Not only does my horse move better in it, she's more willing to be forward and up, but I don't feel like I'm riding a barrel. Even my hips are happier and even riding with a long leg (they tend to be very unhappy especially riding with a long leg and contain bone spurs for those that haven't heard me complain yet lol). It's amazing! My new saddle is an older Schleese, and apparently from what I read these tend to be very hit and miss for most people but it seems to be a hit for me. The only thing I have a problem with is it comes with the largest size thigh blocks they have which I really don't like because my thighs are quite large anyway so they need a bit of extra room. Luckily they're interchangeable, so I guess I'll be putting a little more into the new saddle, and then hopefully I will be super happy along with Pal.

That's great that you found a great fit for you both. It really does help being comfortable in a good position.

Glad you and Paloma are settling in well together. I look forward to your updates.

Happy hiny!

Yeah for THE one (for now ).

Happy riding.

Susan

I'm sorry, I can't possibly believe a word you say until you include pictures of you riding your new girl in your new saddle.

Congrats on your success! Oh the joys of saddle shopping and fitting!

I'm always by myself so this is the best I can do for now but it does show off some more of her spots than the only other pic I shared of her here and of course her new dressage outfit

Thise are rather big blocks. I went through a big blick phase but have returned to minimal blocks. I think you will like the saddle even better streamlined a bit

I moved the blocks forward a bit and they feel slightly better but I am definitely going to look into getting some of the smaller ones. My old saddle that didn't fit her was a Stubben Tristan with no blocks to speak of

I loved my Schleese JES Elite. Sadly it did not fit the 13hh fellow, nor does it fit my 14hh girlie.
I did not like the big blocks that it came with, and changed them out for small ones. I just got the cheapo Wintec ones.

It also takes a little bit of time for the flaps on new saddles to soften and mould in around the blocks, I've found.
It an be amazing what a new, well fitting (to both horse and rider!) saddle can make. Enjoy

I'm so happy for you- I got a new saddle last year and it was a great decision! Pal looks super. Very sporty in her new gear

Yay, thanks for the photo addition.

I have an older JES Elite and just love it. Mine has no thigh blocks but it is old! It is one of the ones with a Henig tree. It has been at Schleese for repair and I have been really lucky to borrow a saddle which amazingly fits us fairly well - but it has such a wide twist compared to my Schleese that I am having trouble getting my leg on and my balance is off. So to your point - what a difference a saddle makes!!!

Enjoy!

Mine is older and with a Henig tree also, the Gunnar Ostergaard model, but it was almost completely refurbished so I think they added in the interchangeable blocks. I've ordered some Wintec blocks (thanks NancyP for the suggestion) so hopefully those will fit and help because I seem to keep slipping forward into the current ones and actually am getting bruised from them. After I get warmed up it's better but I'm pretty stiff and not very flexible when I first start despite adding pre-ride stretches into my routine. I'm tempted to take the big blocks completely out until I get the new ones and see how that goes except that once I get warmed up and more flexible I feel quite good the way it is. Maybe I need to add in a jog and some cartwheels or something before I ride

Finally got one of us together in our fancy new dressage tack

I smile every time I see photos of you and your pretty mare. I love her "paint job." All the best to you and your adventures with her this year!