Choosing among equestrian saddles & pads means balancing the rider's seat preference, the horse's shape, the riding discipline, and the equipment you need with the saddle. The four used choices divide into three jumping/close-contact saddles and one all-purpose package, making the central decision format versus bundled gear.
Prices span a $945 spread, from $350 to $1,295. Start with the table for cost, then use the seat, tree, horse-shape, and accessory details to narrow the match.
Quick take
Start with the discipline you ride, then narrow by seat wording, horse-shape clues, and included equipment. The main split is between dedicated riding formats and a package that bundles accessories.
Listed-price comparison
The price bars show how each listed amount sits within this four-saddle comparison.
| Saddle | Listed price | Price bar |
|---|---|---|
| Butet Close Contact Jump Saddle 16" Seat Standard Tree | USD 1,000.00 | |
| Cliff Barnsby English Close Contact Jump Saddle 16.5 Medium Tree | USD 350.00 | |
| Antares close contact jumping saddle - size 18 | USD 1,295.00 | |
| Crosby Mark VI Spring Seat English Saddle Package | USD 350.00 |
Decision matrix
- Seat wording: Butet names a 16-inch seat, Cliff Barnsby a 16.5-inch seat, and Antares and Crosby 18-inch seats. Treat these as format distinctions, not comfort rankings.
- Horse-shape clues: Butet names a Standard Tree. Cliff Barnsby has flat-backed-horse context and a shoulder-pinch history. Antares gives a 5-inch dot-to-dot width and long, forward flap. Crosby gives a narrow/medium-narrow tree or gullet and a cutback design for prominent or higher withers.
- Equipment: Butet and Antares include covers. Crosby lists a pad, stirrup leathers, and irons. Cliff Barnsby's package wording mentions stirrups and stirrup leathers as potentially included.
Product notes
Butet Close Contact Jump Saddle 16" Seat Standard Tree
The Butet Close Contact Jump Saddle is a focused choice for riders who want the Butet Close Contact model, Standard Tree wording, and a brown finish. Its cover is included, adding a useful storage accessory. The limitation is the 16-inch seat named in the title: shoppers seeking the seating named by Antares or Crosby should compare those models. At $1,000, its price is a material part of the decision. Choose Butet when the model, tree wording, and cover matter more than a bundled pad or fittings. Its listed Jumping/Close Contact type keeps the intended riding use specific.
Cliff Barnsby English Close Contact Jump Saddle 16.5 Medium Tree
Cliff Barnsby is a direct match for shoppers drawn to an English Close Contact model with Medium Tree wording and suede trim. Its fit context is a flat-backed horse, while a later shoulder change caused the saddle to pinch. That limitation makes individual horse shape especially important here. The model is labeled for jumping/close contact rather than all-purpose riding, so it serves a more specific discipline choice. The 16.5-inch seat is another concrete part of the selection. Choose Cliff Barnsby when the English Close Contact wording, Medium Tree detail, and suede trim align with the intended use.
Antares close contact jumping saddle - size 18
Antares brings a Monoflap feature, an 18-inch seat, and a Jumping/Close Contact designation. Its configuration also includes a long, forward flap profile and panels built up in front under the pommel, plus an Antares microfleece-lined cover. The limitation is the $1,295 listed price, the highest in this comparison. A saddle pad does not come with it, so shoppers assembling a pad-and-saddle setup should account for that distinction. Choose Antares when the Monoflap format and listed flap and panel details matter more than bundled accessories.
Crosby Mark VI Spring Seat English Saddle Package
Crosby Mark VI is the direct route for a shopper who wants a saddle package with stirrup leathers, Centaur irons, and a Toklat Medallion shaped fleece pad. Its cutback design is described for horses with prominent or higher withers, and the all-purpose format covers everyday riding, school masters, and lower-level jumping. The limitation is that all-purpose label: shoppers specifically seeking a jumping/close-contact saddle may prefer one of the other three models. The tree or gullet is listed as narrow/medium-narrow, another fit detail to weigh with the horse and rider. Choose Crosby when included equipment is the priority.
Final recommendation by use case
- For a dedicated jumping or close-contact search: Start with the Butet, Cliff Barnsby, or Antares title; each names that riding direction directly. Use the individual seat and horse-shape clues to separate them.
- For a package with riding equipment: Choose the Crosby Mark VI Spring Seat English Saddle Package, which lists the pad, stirrup leathers, and irons together.
- For the flat-backed-horse context: Cliff Barnsby is the relevant starting point, but its shoulder-pinch history makes individual horse shape especially important.
- For a cover with a separate pad plan: Antares fits that use case because a cover is included while the saddle pad is not.
