Product Review - Passier Grand Gilbert (Nicole) Dressage Saddle

Riding in the Passier Grand Gilbert dressage saddle is a dream come true, from the moment the rider swings a leg over the horse's back and settles into the seat. The soft leather skirt and knee inserts are immediately comfortable. No dreaded breaking-in period is needed. Tailored thigh supports place even a beginning rider's legs in position for correct equitation. The V-billet system makes the saddle easy to fit atop the horse's back. Wool-flocked panels and a flexible tree enhance comfort for both horse and rider. The panels are gusseted to provide better weight balance and to protect the horse's spine.

Developed by Olympic gold medalist Nicole Uphoff, who won back-to-back individual gold medals in dressage for Germany in 1988 and 1992, the Grand Gilbert suits novice and advanced riders.

The saddle is made by world-respected master saddlemaker Georg Passier & Sohn GMBH, of Hannover Germany. Passier has produced high-quality saddles for more than 125 years. Their craftsmanship is exceptional. All their saddles are crafted in Langenhagen, Germany.

The Grand Gilbert is available at most reputable saddleries (retail or online) in basic dressage black, with seats from 16 ½" to 17 ½" and regular and wide tree options. (My wide-tree saddle accommodates all our horses, from our sleek thoroughbred to our well-rounded warmblood.

My first equestrian trainer accompanied me to the tack store to stock up on all I needed, after I bought my first horse. She was kind enough to humor me, as I sat in dozens of saddles of all shapes and sizes, before she put her foot down and insisted I purchase this saddle. She allowed me to economize in a few areas, but not on the saddle.

$2,300 dollars later, I discovered why. My horses and I have never looked back.

Of course, many less-expensive saddles are readily available. Synthetic saddles start under $100. A basic leather saddle might be purchased for a few hundred dollars. However, protecting the horse's back and posture is worth the extra investment.

Actually, the Grand Gilbert saddle has been around for several years. Quite possibly, an array of used ones might be found online, at saddleries, or at tack sales.

Buyers should be advised, when considering used saddles, that consulting a master saddler is a worthwhile investment. A broken tree or other major defect might prove an apparent bargain to be no great deal.