Freeform Dressage saddles
The new Freeform Elite HW our winning Italian treeless Dressage Saddle
The Elite is a truly stunning saddle! Clean lines and very elegant with Stylish Italian flair.
The Freeform Elite HW below is our new Freeform Dressage model with wither cutback and a lovely classical kneeroll design
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The Elite HW is most suitable for dressage on all levels but has also proven popular for rather different activities like endurance, trail & pleasure. The saddles have adjustable girthing, adjustable stirrup points and are thinned at the bottom of the flap for a better leg contact. They deliver the excellent weight distribution that the Freeform saddles are famous for and provide lovely rider support while allowing free motion to the horse. We also find that these saddles give very good security to the rider during shies and other unexpected moves. In the showring and during Dressage comps nobody would notice that these saddles are treeless.
The Elite has a very nice' twist' (resulting in a 'less wide feel') and the stirrup position can be adjusted to suit the individual rider's anatomy and preference. The slightly softer base allows these saddles to mould perfectly also to horses that have a pronounced spinal curve like many of the pony breeds and the classical baroque shaped horse. Since the Elite is so flexible it sits just as well on flat backed horses. Like all other Freeform models the Elite HW is also popular for spunky Arabians and due to the increased rider security it is a great saddle for endurance and other riding styles that involve speed and fast turns.
Some VIP riders you may know who ride in and/or endorse the Freeform Elite HW saddle are: Carlos Tabernaberri, Manolo Mendez, Liz Tollarzo and Jane Myers. Liz recently won an FEI Dressage event in W.A. in her Freeform Elite. Carlos has been using the saddle for breaking in and training youngsters and schooling and doing all the wonderful things he does. Well admittedly I am not so famous but may it be known that my mare Music and I absolutely love this saddle.
Technical info:
The saddlepad that works best under the Freeform Elite HW and Liberty is the Italian HAF pad for low withered horses. The Skito and Christ pads are recommended for horses with refined and higher withers.
Fitting: The Elite HW fits most conformations including refined / higher withers (but not the extreme) and it is also wonderful for extra wide shouldered horses and those with high knee action. The feedback from riders riding Warmbloods in the Elite HW has been excellent. We have also successfully fitted Lippizaner, Andalusians, Anglo's, Arabs, ASH"s, QH's, draught crosses and pony breeds with the Elite HW and the riders are delighted with their happy and more responsive horses since changing saddles.
On the Freeform Classic page the 'string test' is explained, if you have a high withered horse the string test will allow you to determine if you have the requires spinal clearance. We recommend you do this test during the first week of owning your new saddle but also any time your horse does not feel quiet right under saddle.
The Elite HW is like all Freeform models available in two base sizes:
SB - a base of 52cm that fits a 16.5" and 17" seat - for smaller horses/riders and pony's
Standard - a larger base of 58cm that fits seatsizes 16.5 - 18.5" - for any horse 14.2hh and up
Available seatsizes: 16.5", 17", 17.5", 18", 18.5" (smaller sizes and 19" seats available as special orders)
Colors/ material: black calfskin leather with black stitching and a non slip suede bottom, two front D's and one center back D. These saddles are usually in stock ready to go. Tip: you can let the D's disappear under the seat while showing but many rider like them for firm attachment of the saddlepad and/or breastplate.
If you want something more original please don't hesitate to put in your special order. Available colours and options as follows: Brown, New market or Bordeaux calfskin leather or colour combinations thereof, also available as a special order for the Elite is suede leather as the upper material and contrast stitching. Price would be the same, waiting times apply, no returns or refunds apply to special orders, sorry
Price for the EliteHW: $1850 inc GST
You can also order a seat with Poley's for your Elite, with such a seat the saddle would cost $75 more and waiting times apply.
The Italian Freeform Liberty is being faded out in favor of the Freeform Elite HW and there are currently some good deals available, email us for details.
This saddle fits low to medium withered well muscled horses beautifully and the saddle has been very popular amongst long legged Dressage riders. However the beautiful Liberty saddle is unfortunately not suitable for horses with higher withers.
