'Why don't we try the SMART Saddle?'

I am loving my SMART Saddle. After many years of owning my Welsh D, Diego, who is now 21, I was left (yet again) potentially needing a new saddle. I have had MANY saddles fitted to him over the years, with a variety of saddle fitters. Some I have changed by choice, others due to my change of location. But, 13 years on, I was so distraught at potentially having to buy yet another saddle for my boy. The last brand-new saddle was purchased two years ago. So, following a few weeks of worry, thoughts and just not knowing what to do, and potentially having to fit myself into a 16.5 inch saddle - a little tricky with my 5ft 6 height and long legs. I spoke with my coach who helps with my youngster, and is also an Advisor for SMART Saddles, and she said, 'Why don't we try the SMART Saddle?'. It felt like the only possible option for a new saddle. I didn't see how any 'traditional' saddle fitter could possibly fit a new treed saddle in a way that no one else had thought of in the 13 years!  

 So, on a slightly damp day, we got three SMART saddles to try: the Elite GP, Hunter/Jumper and the Jump. After test riding all three, I opted to trial the SMART Elite Hunter/Jumper  for two weeks. The trial is just an incredible way to try these saddles for yourself. I have bought many saddles over the years, and not one supplied everything needed to trial it (from stirrups to the girth, and the saddle pad) and didn't tell me to hold back (one saddle many years ago let me trial it for a week but I had to ride with the leathers under the flap). Week one of the trial I put it through its paces, lessons, hacking, jumping and cross country. I nearly said no, the cost was a lot compared to every other saddle I have bought. Roll on week two, I had a long think and just couldn't face getting a Saddler out to fit another treed saddle. So, I was sold. I waited a few weeks for my new SMART Saddle to be made, although I could have kept the trial one, I wanted the sparkly cantle! The team rushed through my order, and I had it in time for my Easter Horse Camp. In between my trial saddle and the new one arriving, I went back riding in my traditional jump saddle. I had never realised how uncomfortable I had felt. Needless to say, I was excited to get the new one!  

Since then, I have really grown from loving to adoring my  SMART saddle. Diego feels great in himself, he is going better in it and we have started riding better and getting results we spent years struggling to even get near. We won a hunter trial competition recently, we did another BHS camp, and it is just the best saddle.  

The bonus is that my youngster Lazarus, another Welsh D, will be backed in this saddle. He was three in April. The cost was the big issue for me, but having a saddle that I can use on both my horses is a huge bonus, and just being comfortable, safe, secure and much more means I am not sure I can go back to the 'treed' saddle world. Thank you for the support and making these incredible saddles so our horses can be happy and comfortable (and us humans too!).' 

Thanks, 

Hannah