Rider Testimonials

On behalf of Sunrise, I would like to thank you most sincerely for the saddle which you donated for our therapeutic riding program. It is a beautiful saddle, and I’m sure it will be most useful in our program.

Every day, we see the amazing progress that can be inspired by the human-animal bond, as riders speak their first words, stretch further or sit up straighter on their horses. Our certified instructors, wonderful therapy horses, and dedicated volunteers work together to help each rider reach their therapy goals.

Sunrise is also a special place of belonging and acceptance, where individuals of all abilities can belong, contribute and thrive emotionally and socially. This personal growth is every bit as important as the physical or cognitive therapy goals and achievements.

Thank you again for your amazing gift, and for choosing to support Sunrise through your anniversary contest.

Being a western rider for 50 years I’ve ridden and owned 7 saddles that I thought fit me and my Arabians, Quarter Horses, and Tennessee Walkers. Saddle fit was frustrating as each horse had different conformation, and my body changed as I aged leading to a less than optimal ride. I was constantly frustrated with these saddles being generic cookie cutter designs assuming that any saddle would fit and provide that optimal ride. They were pretty on the outside but a disappointment in terms of how they fit me and my horses. Becoming exposed to biomechanics and correctness of movement working with various trainers, and attending clinics the Schleese Saddlery Devin western saddle was mentioned as the answer to my prayers for a saddle designed with rider and horse in mind. It seemed to good to be true. I saw your presentation Memorial weekend at the Mane Event at Westworld and got to sit in the Devin, see how comfortable and adjustable it was…and decided to purchase one, despite the price. 3 months later my stunning saddle arrived, was fitted to both my horses after measurements were taken of their withers and backs I enjoyed my first ride. I could tell with each successive ride my horse moved more correctly, rounding his back, relaxing into his best cadence of gait. It felt like riding on a cloud. It is obvious that no detail has been overlooked after 6 years of development before the Devin was released. I recommend without reservation this saddle and the customer service provided by Schleese Saddlery.

My daughter bought a Schleese saddle for me after watching me fall off my Clydesdale. Since I have been using a Schleese saddle, I have felt more confident riding such a big horse. I find after riding for over half-an-hour, my back was not hurting anymore. The first long ride I had after getting the Schleese saddle was 2 hours! I couldn’t believe the difference in how I felt when I got down off the saddle. I was able to walk ‘normally’ (without feeling stiff and bow legged)!

Thank you for making such a comfortable saddle that will fit any horse!

Hello from Powell River Therapeutic Riding. We were thrilled to receive the saddle you donated as part of your 30 year anniversary. It’s beautiful! And it fits our sweet Desi perfectly. I have attached a picture of him proudly wearing it. I’ve also attached a picture of our big Thank You sign, that now has your name on it for the next month. This sign is on one of our shelters that faces a busy road here in Powell River. It’s also beside the entrance that the PR Trail riders Club uses to access their riding arena. Thank you again for your generosity, we are truly grateful.

People often complain when unhappy but don’t take the time to share gratitude. Today was my first ride in my new Obrigado! Luanne Reaume has been fantastic. She got the measurements just right for me and my PRE stallion. It was a joy finally getting a custom saddle for me and my horse. And tada, I was immediately sitting perfectly and so comfortable to walk, trot, canter and piaffe! And my horse was happy too. I cannot wait to get back in this saddle. Your saddle manufacturers did a great job. The quality is beautiful. I have ridden in many different dressage saddles. This is the most comfortable and well balanced. It puts you in the exact right place right behind the withers! I wanted you to know what a pleasure it was to work with Luanne. She is a treasure to your company and we customers.

As a recipient of the 30 Year Saddle Giveaway I have had my saddle for two months now and I have never felt more comfortable and balanced in a saddle! We have struggled for years finding a saddle to work with both my body and fit my horse Adhemar and keep him happy, and Schleese has made that possible. I have not had any pain or spasms in this saddle even going into the colder months, as it lets my legs sit where are comfortable and doesn’t force me into one position. This is the first saddle that has stayed in the middle for Adhemar and I as well, enabling him to balance underneath me and overall making a happier partner. A huge thank you to the team at Schleese, I can’t thank you enough!

I want to thank Schleese Saddlery for the wonderful opportuinity to own a Schleese Saddle for my up and coming 4 yr. old named Bodhi. (Benicio x Carisma) He is moving amazing and is very willing in his training, I am sure his fitted saddle is making all the difference.  Until you have experienced riding in a fitted Schleese saddle you don’t know what you are missing.  Bodhi is so fluid and smooth is his movement, it’s like riding on a cloud. I am very grateful to the whole Schleese Team for making this dream come true. My goal is to make Elene Sergerie legacy come true and ride down the center line at the Olympics with this amazing horse that Kareen Heineking-Schutte bred.

Cooper, like his mom, clearly knows the value of a comfortable saddle!  I love my Schleese HK and so does my horse, Preston.  I have two very clever boys, don’t I?  Purchasing this saddle was the best decision I’ve ever made…after getting Preston, of course.  We both love the fit, comfort and freedom of movement.  I frequently tell people that, if I could, I would use it as my desk chair!  My back and body are the most relaxed when I am in the saddle!  And it’s just so pretty too.

Thank you Schleese!

The saddle has arrived despite all the problems with Quarantine…what a relief!

It is beautiful!!! I have now ridden in it for 10 days or so and perfectly at ease. On the pictures you can see I have a mammoth instead of a mare….I am waiting for a string mohair girth as the neoprene I am using pulls on those very long hair and she doesn’t like it!

The only small problem is that the saddle seems to shift to the right. There is some rubbed hair at the back on the right side. But… I am collapsed to the right especially at the walk. At the trot I am much straighter and so is the saddle. My mare has also a lower right hip compare to the left one…so we are not helping each other…2 left handed souls. I got my daughter on the saddle and it was straight so the problem is mainly me. ‘Melita’ pushes me to the right and in doing the saddle slid to the right. Pushing the saddle left is a no no at the moment as more hair get caught… Her movements are much much better especially her walk!

So if you could look at the pictures and see if we need to alter the fit in anyway that would be great.

Thank you again for all the help with customs!

Kind Regards

Hi Amanda [Silver]

I want to thank you and to let you know how much I appreciate you and my Schleese saddle. Oni is a dream for me to ride but I know this would never be if he did not have this perfect saddle for him.  Today you adjusted for the changes in his muscle development after riding in his Schleese saddle for a year and the difference is so wonderful. I am very grateful that you can adjust his saddle in such a way to fit his big Friesian shoulders. I can hardly wait to get on him tomorrow.

Amanda, you and your husband are so knowledgeable and kind and easy to work with. Oni and I both enjoyed our saddle fitting today very much.

See you next year!

“Dear Jochen:

Several years ago I read a review of your book, ordered it immediately, read it several times over & realized that here was someone that was on the same wavelength as myself. This was re-emphasized over the last several days. It was a real pleasure to meet you in person, learn from you & feel inspired to continue to keep trying to improve the lot of the horse.”

Dr. Sue Dyson
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Specialist in Equine Orthopaedics
Associate European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging

Head of Clinical Orthopaedics
Centre for Equine Studies
Animal Health Trust

Photo: Jochen with Dr. Sue Dyson at his recent clinic as guest of Caroline Lindsay of “Learn Saddle Fitting Resource: CPD MSFConnection (Perfect Movement Solutions)” in the UK

I have been riding, competing, and studying dressage for 40 years. I was very impressed when I first sat in the Schleese Obrigado saddle. I can easily say, that this saddle is the best saddle I have ridden in. I have ridden in numerous saddles over the many years, and none compare to the Schleese.

The Obrigado provides complete shoulder freedom for my horse. This saddle made my mare feel like she had an easier time coming up through her shoulders and withers. I felt like I was sitting into the horse, rather than on top of a saddle. I felt closer to my horse. It kept me where I was suppose to be, yet I didn’t feel boxed in.

The Obrigado is impeccably made, and not one detail was missed. The attractiveness and comfort is unparalleled to any other saddle I have sat in.

The Obrigado is the saddle of a lifetime and this is the saddle of choice for me!