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I use a County Competitor
which I purchased in the early 1980's for dressage and eventing. It is the
most comfortable saddle I had ever sat in in my life, beautifully
built, and is holding up like iron under all the horrendous abuse I've subjected
it to since I moved from the world of dressage and cross country fences
into endurance.
The design excels in
providing both rider and horse comfort at all levels and
distances -- from Limited Distance to multi-day rides. You
will find it comfortably puts your legs and seat exactly
where they should be to maintain an optimum center of balance and
security, and keeps them there regardless of whether you are
climbing a mountain, sliding down a huge slope, trotting 100 miles or galloping
on the flat -- or doing half-passes and flying changes in front of an
Olympic level judge at Devon. <grin>
More recent models (from the
1990's on up) are being designed more for the wide, broad backs of the big
Warmbloods, making it a perfect choice for chunky Quarter Horses, Morgans,
Arabs, and pony breeds. The only modification I did to my saddle was to have my
local saddler widen it to fit my Welsh/Arab, and add D-rings to the cantle and
pommel.
You can buy older models on
E-bay for anywhere from $300 to $900, later models for about $1000. New
saddles sell for over $2000, and are marketed extensively throughout the US
-- especially in areas that have a high concentration of dressage and
eventing. You can preview the saddles, fitting guide, and sales
of demo saddles at their website: www.countysaddlery.com
I have another friend who
uses a Keiffer dressage saddle -- she adores it, and it fits her broad little
Arab gelding like a dream.
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