DefinitelyDressage.com

For assorted reasons I’ve decided to buy a new saddle. My heart leans towards Passier or Custom. There is a Passier fitter about an hour away, and a Custom rep slightly closer. I put out a note to each.

I know next to nothing about saddle fitting. Any bullet points? I don’t like bucket seats with high cantles. I don’t like B.A. thigh blocks. I would prefer short billets but I fear those have gone the way of the rumble seat. Miss A. is 15.2, petite, with average TB withers.

The Passier rep is coming Saturday.. I’m so excited! We had a long talk about my wants, my body size, Miss A’s body. The lady is a certified fitter, a Masterson practitioner, and and did the FN apprenticeship in Germany.

Get something that works for both of you. If it fits both of you, but doesn't meet your needs (e.g. lower cantle), keep searching. There will be something out there!

I was going to suggest Stubben, but the cantle is higher than I recall. I ride in an older Laser 747 with has a medium deep seat. It's not the shallowest saddle out there, but it was the shallowest we could find at the time that fit both Anz and me. Fortunately, Maia's back is nearly an exact duplicate of her mom's — just bigger — so it only took a bit of adjustment to work for her too.

Have you looked at the dressage style endurance saddles? Black Country and Lovatt & Ricketts both make them, possibly others.

you will probably find a saddle in either brand that fits your horse. So, it's likely a matter of which saddle that fits your horse you like more.

Custom saddles tend to be more saddle than Passiers, less close contact feel. That's not necessarily good or bad, just down to personal preference. If your preference is a more 'locked in' feel, you'll almost certainly prefer the customs. If your preference is more ability to adjust leg/less block, flatter seat, you'll probably find a Passier you prefer.

Resale of Customs is going to be easier than that of Passiers, even though their newer models are in line with modern standards, they have a reputation of being an 'old school' brand.

The Custom rep is coming Monday the 15th.

The Passier rep had to reschedule due to illness. She will be out the 13th followed by the Custom rep on the 15th

The fitter and their knowledge is key! I follow a Facebook page on saddle fitting and there are so many people that had poor fitting saddles that were professionally fit.

If there is an option for Velcro knee/thigh blocks I would order one like that, just in case you want them for stability. You can use them or not use them.

I bought a Harry Dabbs and love it! Tho, mine does not match your criteria. But, it is so comfy. I went with a mono flap it’s a bit lighter weight than a double flap.

I ended up with a Passier PSL VD. It’s considered an all purpose. Forward flaps but a dressage seat if that makes sense. I loved it as soon as I sat in it. Perfectly balanced. I rode 2 other dressage saddles the fitter brought but I had to fight to stay centered. And she sold me the demo, so I got $500 off. My trainer was there, and she ordered the EVO D with cantle bling. sadly, I sprained my ankle after riding in the saddle two times! So my saddle sat in my living room for five weeks until I was cleared to ride.

If it weren't for the fact that Passier doesn't really have a model that fits my wider welsh cobs I would have nothing but. I far prefer them to most other saddle brands. Fortunately there are minimalist models in other brands that are better designed for beer keg shapes. I did ride my section C Welsh Cob in a good ole Passier GG for years, all the way through PSG.