Rider Testimonials

I met Jochen Schleese in 2007 at Dressage at Devon, where I showed my Oldenburg Stallion “Diamunde” in the 5 y/o FEI Horse Competition and in the Breed Show. I immediately loved the idea of the saddle being adjustable to both horse and rider, but was otherwise not too fond of having to spend what seemed to be a small fortune for a new saddle (I had only owned my stallion for one year, and had bought him his 3rd saddle already). Jochen persisted and we met the day after my competition finished. After a wonderfully informative fitting and lecture it was time to ride my horse in this new saddle. No saddle pad, crowded, crazy warmup arena at Devon, and 10 minutes into the whole thing people were watching a 5 y/o stallion playing with his newfound back and shoulder freedom and a rider smiling from one ear to the other. So, only one regret: I should have bought the saddle before my FEI competition. And this was only the start of a very wonderful relationship with Jochen and the Schleese company. Together, we now have developed a new saddle called the “Elegancia” for the short-backed Iberian and modern Warmblood Sporthorse. Boy, wait until you try this one! I have yet to feel this much freedom in my horses’ backs!!!  And to come back to the “small fortune” idea: Yes, I feel fortunate to ride in a Schleese saddle, my horses are happy and sound, and I have saved more money and time than I can tell you! So, look at the big picture: You are investing in your and your horses’ health!
 

Introducing Another Sponsor of “Dover’s World Live”- Schleese Saddlery!

I am so pleased to announce another of my 5 Presenting Sponsors for my upcoming Radio Show, “Dover’s World Live”, which premiers one week from today, Tuesday, October 19th at 6:00 pm on AM 1230 WBZT. Schleese Saddlery is a company which I have known, along with its founder, Jochen Schleese, for many years. I have to tell you that I have been involved with and actually designed saddles for a number of other manufacturers over the decades and am still great friends with some of the owners. That being said, I have to hand it to Jochen, who I joke with since he very much directs his advertising toward the “female gender”, because with great care and many fittings, we came up with a saddle which I can honestly say is the most comfortable and closest fitting to the horse that I have ever ridden in. The fit on the horse is reminiscent of the Schultheis Saddle which I rode in 30 years ago but the craftsmanship includes state of the art design and materials which provide the rider (male or female) with extraordinary comfort! It’s pretty much like sitting in your favourite chair at home, while affording you the perfect seat and leg position you need on the horse. So, in the end it’s sort of the reverse of that old “Irish Spring Deodorant” commercial with the lady who says, ”Made for the man……but I like it too!” Schleese may be directing its energy toward the female clientele, but I guarantee all you guys out there will love riding in my saddle.

Hi Schleese — Just want you to know that I absolutely love my saddle and wouldn’t trade it in right now even if you gave me the new one for free!! That’s how great this saddle is! Your saddle fitter has it adjusted beautifully for my horse and I completely depend on it to give me the support I need. That’s what happens when you make such a great product! Maybe next time.

Hi,

I bought an older used Schleese a week or so ago and got it just in the nick of time to have it fitted [by your fitter at the last clinic].

I can’t believe the difference it’s made in my horse! Our first ride was just lovely. We had our 2nd ride today, and she is moving like a different horse! I feel like I’m part of my horse. We’ve had our share of saddle woes and attempts at fittings through the years. How nice to be able to give her the gift of a saddle that really fits her—and can be adjusted as she changes shape!

Not only is my mare difficult to fit, but I am, too. I have a very long femur and my knee has always stuck so far out in front of the saddle or my knees were so wide, there was no way for me to sit properly. Not a problem for the Schleese! In fact, I was amazed that when I rode in this saddle on my very round horse that I felt like she was suddenly much narrower because my leg was actually in the correct position. I even had to shorten my stirrups!

I can’t thank you enough. We’re looking forward to many more wonderful rides together and I can’t see myself ever riding in anything other than a Schleese!

I have enjoyed all of the e-mails that have been sent my way. I am a ‘horse owner from way back’ but mostly breeding and not serious riding. This is changing and I am in need of a new saddle. Am looking seriously at a Schleese product, and have very much appreciated all the helpful information on your informative videos. This Savoie video is no exception. Thank you so much for the information presented in such an easy to understand manner.

“I have been riding horses for over 50 years and have always felt that the perfect saddle had yet to be developed. I often dreamed of a saddle that could be adjusted to fit any horse and accommodate its physical development throughout its training.

A saddle that would encourage a proper seat position and actually enhance the riding experience without causing physical damage or discomfort to either horse or rider.

I had thought it impossible and was very skeptical when Jochen Schleese claimed to have developed a saddle that could do that and more.  The horses immediately had a freedom of movement and suppleness that was amazing and actually encourages the horse to work through their backs.

We thank Jochen Schleese for devoting his life to researching and developing his saddle system and is now educating trainers and riders to listen to their horses.

Horses always tell the truth.”

I may sound like a broken record…but just wanted to pass on that I am once again totally shocked by what a difference my saddle fitting made! Please pass on to Jochen that all the canter problems I was having w my new horse are totally solved! Nothing has changed but the saddles! Thanks to you all!

My wife Heidi recently had her FEI horse Depardieu fit for a saddle by Jochen. Both Heidi and I consider the day to have been a true inflection point in the way we think about saddle fit. We could not have been more impressed with change in Depardieu’s way of going. We not only look forward to seeing Depardieu’s progress in his Schleese saddle but look forward to experiencing and sharing this trans formative experience again and again as we have our other horses and clients horses fit as well.

 

I was having trouble fitting my dressage saddle to my horse and had heard from several people that Schleese did a fabulous job at fitting saddles. I contacted them and was able to meet up at one of their fitting sessions where I ended up trying and loving the first saddle I sat in. The saddle is very comfortable and gives a secure feeling. It is well balanced which makes it much easier to focus on riding rather than holding a correct position. I ride a number of horses a day and my saddle is just as comfortable and easy to work in on a baby as it is on my advanced horse. Also, my horse’s shoulders are moving much more free which is an obvious plus. As for the actual saddle fitting, I was very pleased with the Schleese session, especially after having less than great luck with other companies. Thank you Schleese!

Kate Brown
Advanced Level Eventer

(Speaking about our Saddle Fit Tip Video Series…)

Great – Thank you so much! This is very exciting. I have watched all 10 of the little saddle fitting video snippets and found it absolutely fascinating and eye-opening. I am so lucky to be the owner of one of your saddles – my horse thanks me every day!!!

I want to thank Jochen for coming to my farm and adjusting the saddles for my 2 horses. Three days later, my I2 horse and I received the highest score we ever got at a show. My 7 year old mare is feeling awesome. She is more forward, has more freedom of range in her shoulders and overall more connected. They both greatly benefitted from the saddle fitting.

Thank you for helping me keep my horses happy athletes.

“There are some great horse videos on YouTube, some educational, fun and some downright scary. Here’s one of my favs…actually it’s a channel by Schleese Saddlery Service. Schleese is a master saddler very much in demand in North America and Europe. This is an excellent channel that explains many facets of fitting English saddles to horse and rider. There’s a great video about fitting saddles to women’s’ conformation”.  Schleese on YouTube!

“2writenride”

posting from About.com.Horses Discussion Board 03/01/10