Choosing equestrian saddles & pads means balancing three decisions at once: riding role, horse-and-rider fit language, and whether a saddle alone is enough. The four choices here divide into three jumping or close-contact designs and one all-purpose package, with listed prices spanning $350 to $1,000. Start with the fit terms and included equipment, then use price to narrow the shortlist.
Quick take
- Cliff Barnsby Close Contact Jump Saddle: A focused choice when the medium-tree and flat-backed-horse fit description align with your horse.
- Butet Close Contact Jump Saddle: Suits shoppers prioritizing the Butet model, a standard tree, supple leather, and reflocked knee rolls.
- English Jumping Saddle T-131: The new choice, with genuine leather, a padded seat, knee rolls, and a forward flap.
- Crosby Mark VI Spring Seat Package: The complete setup, adding stirrup leathers, irons, and a Toklat Medallion fleece pad.
Listed-price comparison
The listed prices span $350 to $1,000, a $650 spread. Cliff Barnsby and Crosby share the $350 figure, the T-131 sits between them and Butet, and Butet reaches the upper end.
| Saddle | Listed price | Price bar |
|---|---|---|
| Cliff Barnsby Close Contact Jump Saddle | USD 350.00 | |
| Butet Close Contact Jump Saddle | USD 1,000.00 | |
| English Jumping Saddle T-131 | USD 479.48 | |
| Crosby Mark VI Spring Seat Package | USD 350.00 |
Decision matrix
- Riding role: Cliff Barnsby, Butet, and the T-131 are identified with jumping or close-contact riding. Crosby is identified as all-purpose and uses a combination spring-seat format.
- Fit language: Cliff Barnsby names a medium tree and flat-backed horse fit. Butet names a standard tree and 16-inch seat. Crosby lists a cutback design, an 18-inch seat, and a narrow/medium-narrow tree or gullet. The T-131 lists a lightweight tree and forward flap.
- Condition: Cliff Barnsby, Butet, and Crosby are used; the T-131 is new.
- Included equipment: Crosby has the most complete package. Cliff Barnsby can include stirrups and leathers, while Butet includes a cover. The T-131 is described through its saddle construction and riding features.
Product notes
Cliff Barnsby Close Contact Jump Saddle
The Cliff Barnsby Close Contact Jump Saddle suits a rider seeking the listed 16.5-inch medium-tree format, brown finish, and suede trim. More importantly, its description says it fit a flat-backed horse well, giving the choice a concrete horse-shape angle. The limitation is equally specific: the same description says a horse with a bigger, more muscled shoulder began experiencing pinching. It is used, so the fit history deserves attention. Choose it when the horse resembles the stated flat-backed profile; look to another saddle when shoulder clearance is the central concern.
Butet Close Contact Jump Saddle
The Butet Close Contact Jump Saddle suits a shopper who wants a named model with a 16-inch seat and standard-tree designation. Its description adds supple leather, well-flocked knee rolls, a tree described as being in excellent shape, and a Butet cover. The clear limitation is price: at $1,000, it is $650 above the $350 floor in this comparison. The saddle is also used. Choose it when the Butet model and its stated seat, tree, and leather details are the priority; choose another route when minimizing the listed spend matters more.
English Jumping Saddle T-131
The English Jumping Saddle T-131 is the new-saddle choice for shoppers focused on an English jumping design. Its description names genuine leather, a padded seat, supportive knee rolls, a forward flap, and a lightweight tree. The limitation is the $479.48 price, which is $129.48 above the two $350 choices. Its model is identified as T-131, giving it a different recognition cue from the Cliff Barnsby, Butet, and Crosby models. Choose it for new construction and the listed leather-and-flap design; choose another saddle if an included pad or irons is central.
Crosby Mark VI Spring Seat Package
The Crosby Mark VI Spring Seat Package is the clearest fit for a shopper who wants an all-purpose setup rather than a saddle alone. It includes an 18-inch saddle, 56-inch stirrup leathers, Centaur irons with pads, and a Toklat Medallion shaped fleece pad. The cutback design is described for horses with prominent or higher withers. Its limitation is the used condition plus a listed narrow/medium-narrow tree or gullet, so the package contents do not settle the fit question. Choose it when the included pad and fittings support everyday riding; a close-contact design is more direct for a jump-focused brief.
Final recommendation by use case
- Horse-fit priority: Start with Cliff Barnsby if the flat-backed, medium-tree description matches your horse and the shoulder-clearance issue does not.
- Named close-contact model: Choose Butet when its standard-tree, 16-inch seat, supple leather, and cover justify the $650 spread above the lowest listed price.
- New English jumping design: Choose the T-131 for its new condition, genuine leather, padded seat, and forward flap.
- Pad-and-fitting package: Choose Crosby when the Toklat pad, stirrup leathers, and Centaur irons are central to the purchase.
The simplest sequence is to eliminate choices that do not match the intended role, then compare the listed seat and tree language. The two $350 saddles show the clearest split: Cliff Barnsby centers on close-contact fit language, while Crosby adds a pad and fittings for a broader setup.
