Rider Testimonials

Well, Jochen and Schleese have done it again. When I thought they could not improve on a really fantastic saddle (ProLight) they did!!! I am a bit of a complicated customer combining a somewhat hard to fit super sensitive horse (very short back that can lift in an insane way… this horse standing in his stall or under saddle are two different animals!!!) that changes in his top line quite easily with a rider that suffered a hairline fracture in her sacrum a few years ago. Well, my boy has been giving me some of his best moments ever and my lower back is sitting on butter! The saddle just disappears when I ride. I am not adjusting for it in any way, I just ride and don’t have to think about it which is how it should be I believe. Thank you Schleese!!!

For me, it all started when I was trying to find a saddle for my situation: riding lots of horses but not having my own tack (at the time). Then, I discovered Schleese and went digging to learn more about their approach and their line of saddles. When I came upon the Sequence saddle, I felt like I found the perfect saddle for me. It fits me wonderfully and it is truly comfortable! But more importantly, I can fit it onto any horse that I ride! Since I don’t have a horse of my own to ride, I ride many different lesson and private horses, so having an adjustable saddle makes a world of sense! The saddle can be adjusted in so many ways – from wither clearance, to shoulder angle, to adjust for the asymmetry of the horse, I am confident that the horse is comfortable and pain-free in our sessions. Every time. The Schleese fitting team has taught me so much about what to look for in the horse’s conformation and how to adjust my saddle to better fit the horse. To me, an adaptable saddle is the best investment for sound horse-rider synergy. And I get compliments on my saddle all the time for its pretty details and bling that I ordered on it, and the excellent quality of the work that went into its design. Hands down, best saddle a girl and her horse could ask for!

“Excited to announce that I am teaming up with Schleese to bring the best of the best to Alpharetta, [GA]! Schleese is changing the game. Designing great saddles for women and their horses. Never sacrifice good position for good fit ever again.

Unlimited has been working with Amanda Silver from South East Saddle Fit [Independent Certified Schleese Fitter], for 9 months, and our horses have never looked or felt better.
I am IN LOVE with my new ProLight Saddle with the Bi-Nate Line technology. This saddle is fully adjustable and will allow ‘Morfeo’ to move freely through [his] back and shoulders for the rest of his career.”

[Welcome aboard! Thank you for entrusting us with your saddle needs!]

Thank you to Chris [Maloughney] and Connie [Frantzke] for keeping my horse, Monte, comfortable and well fitted! He is very opinionated about his saddles and very difficult to fit – he has giant ‘Paint’ shoulders and a back like a coffee table. With your help, his topline continues to improve and his movement is getting better and better!

Monte just won Idaho Dressage and Eventing Association Reserve Champion AA First Level awards, and we couldn’t have done it without their help!

I wanted to let you know how awesome your fitters in this area are (in case you didn’t already know). Eighteen months ago, Julia fitted me and my OTTB with a beautiful dressage saddle and last fall Heather Doig came out with a super comfortable close contact saddle. Any questions or concerns that I have had, have been responded to quickly and knowledgeably. They are awesome! And I love your saddles too! I wouldn’t buy any other brand! Keep doing what you do! Thanks so much!

I purchased my first Schleese saddle from Jochen Schleese in 2006.  Sixteen years later, I still use that saddle and my tack room now displays a collection of various Schleese models and sizes for my for personal horses and all of my clients’ horses.  Over the years as a Schleese customer, I have witnessed many horses having almost instantaneous improvements in their suppleness, way of going, and degree of relaxation when they were able to experience working in a saddle that truly fit them and their riders.  That is what the Schleese Saddlery team has done for me and my clients.

Recently I tried a Schleese ‘Cadence’ saddle for one of my Quarter Horses that has likely struggled with life-long saddle-fit issues in a traditional western saddle.  He was immediately more supple through his body and I have noticed positive postural changes in just a couple of weeks.  I can’t wait to see how he continues to develop with his new-found comfort level and freedom of movement.

Having a knowledgeable and caring saddle-fit team that listens to me, my clients, and our horses is an invaluable component of my training program.  I am so grateful for the many years of support and service from the Schleese Saddlery team.   I have confidence their products and great trust in the people behind them.  Thank you, team Schleese!

Gianna and myself wanted to sneak in another sincere thank you to you and Mackenzie for today’s fitting.  I’m in sales, so I’m well aware of the “feeling” I’m hoping to feel from the associates and the product. You both are a 5 star team. You’re professional, confident, friendly, knowledgeable, and perform your job to it’s utmost best. 

‘Callaho Lexus’ came to me as a tricky 4-year-old. His first saddle was a Schleese HK dressage saddle that needed careful fitting as he was quite uneven.  He was sharing a jumping saddle with another horse and the difference became clear.  As he is quite broad in the shoulder, he did not have freedom of movement as his jumping style was extremely extravagant and very strong. I was struggling to hold him together and collect him.  I felt that he was filling out so well with regular fittings of his dressage saddle, so he could no longer share his jumping saddle.  He had dips behind his shoulders which I suspected was due to saddle pressure. I loved the demo ‘LightFlight’ from ‘first sit’ – he was round, balanced, and listening to me; no more landing and running off – so I placed my order for a new saddle.  During the lockdown, while I continued using the demo, I saw a marked change in his attitude, his way of going, and his jumping style and technique from working only in his fitted Schleese saddles.  When the new LightFlight arrived, he had COMPLETELY evened out across his whole body!  His straightness, balance, and way of going has consolidated him into a horse that shows his natural talent and unrestricted movement.  We can conquer the world together now – his bravery and scope are supported by his LightFlight. I am balanced and with him when we tackle our course. I recommend this saddle highly – your horse will thank you for investing in the success of your partnership together!

My husband had to have a custom saddle made for him and his horses (XC Merci) and I bought the Jete. Our horses are loving the saddles!