Are you looking for the Best Dressage saddles? Buying a saddle is the second costly investment when you’ve decided to get into equestrian sports – the first costly is the horse! That’s why choosing a suitable saddle is a very important task!
Beginners need basic yet affordable saddles, while pro riders love more durable and reliable ones. A good dressage saddle will give the rider much balance and support so that he can give off the best performance.
So, have you known about the best dressage saddles on the market yet?
Top 5 Best Dressage Saddles Comparison Tables In 2023
5 Best Dressage Saddles Reviews
#1: SilverFox All Purpose Pad Flap – Best Affordable Dressage Saddle
Firstly, I want to introduce you to an affordable yet reliable choice for beginner riders: The SilverFox All-Purpose Pad Flap Saddle!
This product is not really a dressage saddle; it’s an all-purpose piece in which the cantle is high-raised and curved for the most enjoyable ride! The high cantle, deep seat, and grain leather material will offer you great comfort and stability during your dressage test.
Although this SilverFox is very cheap compared to other products, it has an excellent deep-seat style, which is both traditional and reliable for starter jockeys. The seat, flaps, and knee roll material are not top-quality leather, but it’s sturdy and can last for years if you do the maintenance properly.
The flaps’ length is 16 inches while the seat is of regular size so that it can fit most horses in the riding hall! Besides, its look is pretty unexpected, too: the shiny black leather, which gives us an expensive and professional vibe with the price of only about one hundred dollars!
#2: Wintec 500 HART Dressage Saddle – Best Dressage Saddle For Short Backed Horse
For more expensive and high-quality choices of dressage saddles, I will take you to Wintec Saddles company!
Wintec – a subsidiary of Bates Australia – has been in the saddles manufacturing industry since the 1930s. They are known for their innovative and high-tech approach to saddle production!
This Wintec 500 HART Dressage Saddle is one of their mid-range products, which has features of professional pieces and the price of regular saddles on the hall!
Let’s get to the details:
As it is made of fully synthetic material, this saddle is very durable and easy to clean. The stirrup bar and two flaps’ designs are super ergonomic that would not hinder the leg’s movement. Its open seat style and lines will also give your horse a lot of free space while walking or running.
Together with its round skirt and medium-length tree, this Wintec 250 is one of the best dressage saddles for short-backed horses!
#3: EquiRoyal Event Winner – Best Dressage Saddle For Starters
Compared to Wintec Saddles, EquiRoyal is a small company in the house saddles manufacturing industry. Their products are mostly in the low-end or mid-range groups, with traditional designs that many beginner riders love!
If you’re wondering about its classic and sturdy look, then this EquiRoyal piece’s been modeled after famous German saddles! Their quality isn’t the best yet a lot better than what I expected for the price.
You can use this Event Winner for regular walks, jumping, hacking, or special dressage competitions! The saddle’s head and tree are adjusted to fit most horses’ withers and backs’ length. With a deep foam seat inside a sturdy leather cover, this product can be both durable and comfortable at the same time!
There are two choices of color for you: one is plain black leather, and the other is dark brown for those who love vintage vibes.
In conclusion, this EquiRoyal event winner saddle will be the perfect choice for anyone who wants to get started with horseback riding!
#4: Wintec HART Isabell Dressage Saddle 18 – Best Dressage Saddle For High Withered Horse
In case you have a pretty comfortable budget or decide to have a professional dressage career, you’d better take a look at the Wintec Saddle store! This Isabell HART dressage saddle is a perfect seat even for professional riders thanks to its unrivaled comfort and performance.
Wintec Isabell’s model is designed with Bates’ specifications and added technology from Wintec. It’s one of the Best Dressage Saddles for you.
And the results?
We have a synthetic dressage saddle that is not only high-quality but also lightweight, durable, and easy to maintain!
Let’s get to the details:
The cushion system features HART technology with added air panels that will free your horse’s movement in order to perform better. The gullet is made with a new generation easy-change system, which is super suitable for high-withered horses!
Moreover, you can choose the level of thigh support that you want, thanks to the Flexi-bloc system. Also, the Elasti-flex flexible tree design will help your saddle last for years!
As I said before, the maintenance task of this Wintec Isabell is super easy! Its synthetic material is light, waterproof, and sweat-repellent, which will survive every weather condition and take you no cleaning time!
#5: Henri de Rivel HDR Ventura – Best English Dressage Saddle
Henri de Rivel, a France horse saddle brand, is well-known for its wide range of products, from pony and exercise saddles to dressage saddles, etc. They have the best western dressage saddle that is suitable for both beginner and professional riders.
This Henri de Rivel Ventura dressage saddle is available in only one color: plain black. It is soft, comfortable, and covered by a rugged leather saddle with beautiful stitch details.
There are also two added forward blocks for extra security, which you would find in a close-contact saddle. The seat is at a moderate depth that is suitable for dressage.
What I love the most about this Henri de Rivel piece are its wide and clear flocked panels. It might look boring, but when you’re on the ride, you will see how uncomfortable it is without them!
In case there is any natural damage appears, you should know that this product has a lifetime warranty attached to it. Feel free to contact the manufacturer if your orders had any flaws when you received them!
Best Dressage Saddles Buying Guide
So, how can you choose the best dressage saddles for you and your horse?
Is material is everything that decides the quality?
Let’s take a look!
Material
Should you take a synthetic or leather dressage saddle?
These days, there are a lot of dressage saddles made from synthetic leather that look nearly identical to traditional ones! Synthetic saddles are often more affordable, lightweight, and easy to clean than classic leather ones.
For traditional leather saddles, you should look for a high-quality one so that it can last for a long time. There are a lot of leather saddles of English or Western styles for you to choose from, so take your time!
Fitting
Your dressage saddle should not only fit your size but also need to fit your horse’s figure!
That’s the most basic rule in choosing a suitable saddle for any ride. Is your horse long or kinda short? How does its back shape?
You’d better pay close attention to the pommel and cantle position since these two decide how the saddle will fit! But what are these two spots?
The answer is right below!
Read more: Back on Track Dressage Saddle Pad Review
FAQs about Dressage Saddles
1. What is a dressage saddle?
Dressage saddles are designed to offer riders the best balanced and comfortable performance in a dressage ride.
They often have deep seats, straight flaps, and no forward knee pads since dressage rides require no jump.
2. Parts of a dressage saddle
Above is a picture that shows all parts of a regular dressage saddle.
The most important part that you need to pay attention to when choosing a dressage saddle that suits your horse is the seat, cantle, skirt, two flaps, and knee pads.
3. How to choose the best dressage saddle?
It depends on how your horse looks like and what you’ll use the saddle for that you choose an appropriate dressage saddle for yourself!
For example, if your horse has a high withered, then you’d better pick a saddle with a high pommel or gullet so that it fits the wither.
4. How to measure a dressage saddle?
Common measurements that you find in online stores say 16 inches, 17 inches saddle, what does that mean?
Well, it is this distance:
Measure from one of the head nails to the cantle at the back. That’s the size of your dressage saddle!
5. What is the difference between a dressage saddle and an all-purpose saddle?
Well, they are some things between close contact and dressage saddle. They have enough knee roll for small jumps, and also just enough flap length for flat-ground dressage.
6. Can you trail ride in a dressage saddle?
Yes, you can.
Actually, you can trail ride in any type of saddles you like, but dressage saddles will be best on mule tracks or paths with no or few obstacles.
Conclusion
Which is the best dressage saddle in your heart right now?
For us, it is the HDR Ventura from Henri de Rivel manufacturer! This mid-range dressage saddle with wide flaps is suitable for every rider at any level, from newbies to the pro.
If you find my article helpful, don’t forget to share it with your friends who are also into equestrian sports!
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