Searching for the best dressage saddles for both you and your horse requires careful consideration; it’s not a decision to be made lightly. Unlike many purchases, finding the right saddle demands a perfect balance – it must be ideal for you and a perfect fit for your horse. Without this, achieving your full performance potential will be challenging.
H&H recommends consulting a qualified saddle fitter before buying and scheduling regular follow-up checks to adjust the fit as your horse’s shape changes. The links provided below can help you locate local stockists of top-quality dressage saddles.
Best dressage saddles
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Stübben Centurion II Dressage Saddle
Colours: Black, ebony, redwood or tobacco
Seat sizes: 16.5–18in
RRP: From £4,730
With this close-contact monoflap, it’s possible to individually adjust the external block to the rider, which also allows multiple riders to easily use the same saddle. It has a narrow twist saddle tree and an extra-deep seat, plus additional soft padding that creates a flowing transition between the flap and block. The monoflap hugs the ribcage when girthed and creates even more closeness to the horse.
The gullet channel can be personalised with 3D effect letters.
For more info, stockists, or to buy visit stuebben.co.uk
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Wow DMK Pinnacle Dressage Saddle
Colours: Wide range of combinations and customisation options
Seat sizes: 16–19in, N–XXW
RRP: From £4,782
This saddle has an exceptionally close contact seat with a unique integral adjustable seatbone support system that helps the rider sit level and distribute their weight equally. An adjustable under flap leg support can be moved to create maximum lower leg stability, while the sculpted thigh blocks add security. Interchangeable panels and headplates ensure a perfect fit for every horse, even after shape changes.
The Unity Dressage Saddle is a series of monoflap saddles developed to enhance the rider’s pelvic motion, resulting in the rider becoming more in sync with the horse’s movement. A saddle uniting horse and rider. With a wide or narrow twist seat to aid the riders position and multiple tree options for the ultimate saddle fitting precision.
The Arena cob saddles range is designed with cob conformation in mind, this dressage saddle will help you and your horse move together in harmony, feeling close through your seat and leg for delivery of your aids.
Aimed at the more serious rider or those looking to improve, this monoflap saddle promotes better communication between horse and rider. It has dual density knee blocks and the rear girth strap is on a slide that aids stability. With natural wool flocked panels, an adjustable stirrup bar and multi-directional knee blocks. The saddle is available in both deep and semi-deep seat options, accommodating riders’ preferences for support.
Designed for training or competing at any level, this saddle has a super-soft and grippy deep seat. It also has super-soft panels that mould around your horse’s muscles to ‘hug’ their unique conformation.
This monoflap saddle has been designed for horses with short backs and not much space for the rider, and it’s made with an extra-wide gullet to accommodate wider withers. Made on a hand-crafted wooden spring tree, with wool and felt panels, this saddle is designed to promote freedom of shoulder movement and to allow the horse to stretch over his topline, lift his back and move the shoulders away from the saddle tree area.
The shape of the tree and the padded seat allow both male and female riders to find a comfortable and ergonomically correct position. The new soft knee roll provides support while allowing for a relaxed, free and efficient leg position, and you can upgrade to a Pinerolo luxury calfskin covering on the saddle flaps and skirts.
This saddle is designed to provide your horse with a full scope of movement, strengthen your natural position and offer you the ability to convey your aids clearly.
This saddle is made from fine full-grain leathers, with a wool-flocked panel and external knee blocks. It features an interchangeable gullet system with six width fitting options (narrow/medium to extra-extra-wide) allowing you to adjust the fit of your saddle without the need to send it away. It has a classic deep seat, Y-system three-point girthing, and is also available with cantle and stirrup keeper badges to customise your look.
This adjustable saddle is designed for young dressage riders. It has a deep seat, elongated flaps and large leather knee rolls to help maintain a good leg position.
This saddle has a cut-back pommel, an extra-deep seat and a narrow twist, which ensures comfort for the rider. The panels are fully customisable, while the cut-back tree means the saddle is particularly suited to high-withered and big-shouldered horses.
Premier Equine Montpellier Synthetic Dressage Saddle
Colours: Black
Sizes: 16½–18in, N–XW
RRP: £740
This monoflap saddle is synthetic to mimic the look and feel of leather while requiring minimal maintenance with resistance to everyday wear. It has a deep seat, purpose-built cantle and large padded knee rolls. The copolymer tree is extremely lightweight and the panels are flocked with synthetic fibre wool. It has stainless steel safety flick stirrup bars that make attaching and removing stirrups easy.
Described as “the armchair of dressage saddles”, this is an ideal first dressage saddle. It has a relatively flat seat with a wide twist, which is a popular choice for young horses and eventers, and the low cantle makes it easier to get on and off.
This close-contact monoflap dressage saddle is designed for both amateurs and professionals. Made in England from Italian full-grain calf leather, it features engineered tree profiles and a lightweight, refined sports finish. Forward flap options and custom design details available.
This saddle is built on a close-contact tree and the monoflap design gives the rider a closer feel to the horse enabling a higher level of communication. The adjustable carbon fibre tree provides strength and flexibility, with narrow to extra-wide options. The Integro has speciality AMS foam and wool flock panels to provide comfort and weight distribution – different shaped panels are available to suit the shape of horse and flocking is used to add additional support as needed. It features anatomically designed knee blocks that support your leg and encourage you to lengthen through the thigh.
This classically designed deep-seated dressage saddle is designed to promote a close contact feel, with seats at the centre point of gravity. It has a triple-padded seat and a large built-in knee roll that offers stability and promotes the correct position. It is available on a range of wooden spring trees to cater for different builds of horses and maximise their shoulder movement.
The Avicii is available as a monoflap or dual flap saddle and is adjustable to ensure the optimal fit. It is also available in a choice of five different leathers with optional coloured welting, stitching and an array of personalisation.
Developed to fit the modern sport horse with the FlexTech technology, this saddle features a Y-girth attachment that allows a more forward set attachment. The elegant design can be customised to your taste with patent leather, crystals and colour details, plus multiple knee flap options for a tailor-made feel.
A monoflap saddle is designed to offer you a closer contact with your horse – it has a single flap and the girth straps emerge from underneath it. A traditional (or dual flap) saddle has two flaps that sit under your leg, and the girth straps lie between them, while the stirrup leathers lay on top.
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Georgia is Horse & Hound’s deputy website editor and equestrian products expert. She curates content across the website with a particular focus on upcoming equestrian events horse care and buying advice. She also manages all the ecommerce opportunities that allow us to give you easy access to the best products at the lowest prices via our buying guides. Georgia has first-hand knowledge of all the equestrian brands and their ever-evolving product lines, having been working with them closely since she started in equestrian media in 2015.
