Testimonials
My trainer, wise as she is, instead of forcing the issue, suggested that we investigate any physical reasons for this reluctance, since he was happy to work in all other gaits. I
called a masseuse, who found several areas of soreness and weakness in his back,
suggesting that possibly the saddle wasn't fitting properly. I was surprised, since I was
using a saddle with a changeable gullet and had made the change to an extra wide gullet
when I got the Friesian, as the gauge that came with the saddle recommended. I started
using a thicker pad with foam inserts, which seemed to help, but was not a
satisfactory solution as it put me further way from him.
Nanci Fleisher & Wizard Lightfields Farm, Readington, NJ My horse O.G. Whiz (Wizard) is an adorable Percheron/Appaloosa cross. I've had him since he was 3 years old and he is now 8. With a short neck and of average height, he's not your star dressage horse - he's just mine! While we receive 7s and 8s on our walk and trot in Training Level tests, his canter has been a problem. He was unbalanced and did not have a natural 3 beat canter. What to do? When Teri told me she was representing County saddles and would do a saddle-fitting, I jumped at the opportunity! I knew Wizard had this issue at the canter and I knew we could overcome it!
Beth Rera & Arizona Storm Fair Winds Farm, Woodtown, NJ My horse, Arizona Storm, has had a great start in life as a race horse. He ran until he was 8 years old, earning almost $200,000. But thanks to Teri and my County Conquest, he is truly enjoying being a riding horse.
The first time I rode in my new saddle, he was not only naturally forward, but he picked up his left lead canter (a lead we had been having trouble with) on the first try! I look forward to a great future with my lovely new horse, Arizona, and new friend, Teri. Beth & Arizona
Goodzeit & Kalin Toy Box Farm, Ringoes, NJ Elliot's horse, Kalin Des Plants, is a 6-year old Selle Francais with a beautiful jump and kind disposition. Elliot shows him as a Hunter, riding him in all-purpose forward saddle. After owning him for about 6 months, we noticed he was developing a one-sidedness which manifested itself as a resistance to bending to the right. This resistance then led to Elliot's compensating by leaning to the right and ultimately putting the horse off balance to the fences. In addition, we saw that a small white "friction spot" was developing just behind his right shoulder. Teri to the rescue! She immediately identified that the "spot" was caused by an ill-fitting saddle; and it didn't take her much longer to |
When I went in search of a properly
fitting saddle on the Internet, I found the County Saddlery website. The site told of an
offer for a free saddle fitting consultation by phone. A Godsend! I left my information on
the online form, expecting to get a call within a few days. I was amazed and delighted to
get a callback within hours. We arranged for Teri to come to my barn to see my horse. It was a Sunday morning when she arrived with an SUV full of saddles. She carefully examined my equine partner and explained all the points of saddle fitting. It seems my horse has one shoulder slightly lower than the other, which would require some adjustment of the saddle. She had an extra wide County Connection that was a near perfect fit, and she left it with me to try. Needless to say, I loved the saddle. I felt a better connection with my horse and was more confident in my riding. My gelding seemed to approve of the new saddle - no longer trying to avoid the tack stall when he was led to it - definitely a positive sign! Teri returned
to add more wool flocking to the saddle after we had ridden in it for a month and the
original wool had been compressed sufficiently. My horse is now cantering on a regular
basis, and while he still shows some anxiety, I feel confident it's not because
of his tack, but only because he wants to do a good job. I love the new saddle and so does
my trainer, especially in view of the fact that we riders no longer experience back pain
when we sit his trot!
She fitted us with a 17" County Connection with a Wide tree, which allowed Wizard more freedom in his shoulders and put me in great balance and position. The canter work improved and we look forward to better scores this season. Thanks Teri! Nanci & Wizard
Catherine Weimer Neshanic Station, NJ Nicky (aka How Ironic)is a home bred TB mare, 5 years old (well, she was 4 when Teri met us!) Backing her was a challenge - she's very sensitive as many TB mares can be. She was also developing a short, choppy gait - very different from the Nicky we saw galloping around the back yard! We floated her teeth, had the vet check her out, re-evaluated her feeding program, everything. She had some sensitivity in her back, but not enough to think that there were any issues. Relunctantly, I came to the conclusion that my ancient County Eventer saddle might be part of the problem. I grew up in Washington DC and was familiar with County Saddlery - Gene does a lot of work locally and I had several friends who swore by him. Lucky for me, I discovered that there is now a trained saddle-fitter in New Jersey! I called Teri and she came out - in the rain - to take a look at Nicky and let me try several saddles. Did I mention that it was raining and I am a back yard owner? Can you say MUD? Much to my surprise, my little 15 hand TB needs a wide tree - no more pinching on the withers thanks to our new County Symmetry. The past year has been great, Nicky is a lot more comfortable, and she's officially my new event horse - as you can see from the picture of our first event! Catherine & Nicky UPDATE: Catherine & Nicky have a new County Connection dressage saddle! Catherine says it helps keep her right leg more steady - a problem she was fighting in her old saddle. The saddle allows her a longer leg to be able to support her young horse. Congratulations! So, the final decision was simply a matter of getting just the model among the close-contact choices -- and the Pro-Fit was the winner. We chose a medium-wide tree allowing for Kalin's shoulder development and the Profit’s slightly deeper seat contributes to Elliot’s security and better position for flat work. The options we added were recommended by Elliot's jumping trainer, Helen Goddard, and easily implemented by County: a forward flap to accommodate Elliot’s long leg, a small knee-block and calf-block. Once Elliot rode in the saddle for a few months, Teri came back to the farm and added a little more wool flocking to accommodate Kalin's exact wither and back anatomy. Horse and rider are perfectly happy now, able to accomplish their work together with comfort and security -- and yes, the little white spot is completely gone...
Although Buddy is green, he
is a talented jumper, a willing quick learner, and is truly fearless. I had begun showing
Buddy "Devil in Disguise" in early spring 2004. I was desperate with the busy
fall show season coming quick. I didn't want to hurt Buddy by using an ill-fitted saddle,
so I trained bareback!
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entire saddle was too narrow for Kalin and too small for Elliot! Elliot tried several of
the excellent forward (jumping) saddles produced by County. The "Stabilizer
Tree" (a patented innovation by County) allowed him to sit properly on the horse's
back -- centered for flat work and perfect 2-point position for jumping.
Andrea Blyler & Buddy Mays Landing, NJ My story starts out with the tragic loss of my 16.2 TB gelding "Big Red", and the gift of a 14.1 grade pony named "Buddy" aka "Devil in Disguise". Anyone who knows a pony, knows they all have a little devil in them. Well, Buddy has a whole lot of devil in him!I accepted my gift but knew I had my work cut out for me. Buddy had not had an attentive owner for several years. He was extremely overweight, out of shape, and had lost all ground manners. Once examined by my Vet and placed on a thyroid supplement, his fitness regimen was up to me. In no time, Buddy lost his excess weight. Now my headache and frustration began.....trying to find a saddle to fit Buddy's new physique. I TRIED THEM ALL! Nothing fit! They bridged and just sat on top of his back. How could this be...the saddle companies I was dealing with couldn't believe their "wide" saddles didn't fit my "pony"! I even tried a saddle with an interchangeable gullet system...Extra Wide tree. It just sat on top of Buddy's back. I knew I needed professional help when it came to fitting Buddy's wide body. Somehow I came across County Saddlery on the net. I called and within an hour I got a call back from Teri. Could it be true....my prayers had been answered. Teri came to South Jersey to evaluate Buddy. I was impressed with her knowledge and the fact the she explained ALL of the dynamics of measuring Buddy for the proper fit of a saddle. I loved all of the County demo saddles I tried. Now I had a problem...which model was best for me? Again with Teri's knowledge of my riding style and my goals for the future with Buddy, I chose the Stabilizer XTR.
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| Nanci Fleisher & Wizard Lightfields Farm, Readington, NJ My horse O.G. Whiz (Wizard) is an adorable Percheron/Appaloosa cross. I've had him since he was 3 years old and he is now 8. With a short neck and of average height, he's not your star dressage horse - he's just mine! While we receive 7s and 8s on our walk and trot in Training Level tests, his canter has been a problem. He was unbalanced and did not have a natural 3 beat canter. What to do? When Teri told me she was representing County saddles and would do a saddle-fitting, I jumped at the opportunity! I knew Wizard had this issue at the canter and I knew we could overcome it! |
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Photo
courtesy of Redline Event Photography 
