Choosing among equestrian saddles & pads means deciding between a saddle selected around a specific discipline and a more complete riding setup. The real tension is whether your priority is a dressage-focused format or an all-purpose English package with named accessories. Start with intended riding, then compare the prices and seat figures.
Quick verdict
Choose ID Saddles Marella for a dressage-first brief. Choose the Crosby Mark VI package for an all-purpose setup that brings fittings and a pad into the same purchase. The $4,450 listed spread makes the use-case decision more important than treating 17.5 inches and 18 inches as a simple ranking; the numbers alone do not establish a winner.
At a glance
| Comparison | ID Saddles Marella | Crosby Mark VI package |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 4,800.00 | USD 350.00 |
| Seat size | 17.5 in | 18 in |
| Color | Black | Brown |
| Format named | Monoflap | Spring Seat package |
Where each saddle wins
ID Saddles Marella: Its wide IB tree is a distinctive fit descriptor, while the monoflap configuration gives the saddle a clearly defined format. For shoppers sorting specifically by dressage-oriented design rather than general English riding, those details make Marella the more focused direction.
Crosby Mark VI package: The advantage is the defined accessory set: 56-inch stirrup leathers, Centaur stainless steel stirrup irons with pads, and a Toklat Medallion shaped fleece pad are all included in the package. Its cutback design is associated with horses having prominent or higher withers, and the setup is framed for everyday riding, school masters, and lower-level jumping.
Product notes
ID Saddles Marella Monoflap Dressage Saddle
Marella pairs a black finish with grippy black calfskin, wool flocking, a bronze Swarovski crystal cantle, and patent accents. That combination is a concrete reason to choose it when finish and dressage identity matter together. The saddle's focused character is also useful for shoppers who want a clearly defined riding discipline rather than a general-purpose brief. The limitation is use-case breadth: someone planning everyday all-purpose riding or lower-level jumping has a less direct match than the Crosby setup. Marella is therefore the more focused choice, with its appeal tied to dressage direction and saddle styling rather than a bundled accessory approach.
18-inch Crosby Mark VI Spring Seat Package
Crosby earns consideration when the priority is a defined English setup with useful fit context. Its cutback design is described for horses with prominent or higher withers, and its tree/gullet is Narrow/Medium-Narrow, with approximately 4-inch direct-panel and 4.5-inch dot-to-dot measurements. Those concrete specifications are a reason to choose it when they suit the riding brief. The limitation is its Used condition, which matters to shoppers who prioritize condition over the included setup. The brown color is another straightforward distinction from Marella's black finish, but it should remain a preference rather than a quality judgment. Crosby is the practical choice for the all-purpose package brief.
Final choice by use case
- Dressage-first riding: Choose ID Saddles Marella. The Dressage designation is the deciding attribute, with its focused saddle format supporting that direction.
- All-purpose English riding: Choose the Crosby Mark VI package. Its All Purpose designation and complete-package framing make it the clearer match.
- Everyday riding, school masters, or lower-level jumping: Crosby, because those uses are explicitly associated with its setup.
- When black calfskin, wool flocking, and dressage styling lead the decision: Marella.
The short version is to choose by discipline and package needs first, then treat the 17.5-inch and 18-inch seat figures as measurements to compare-not automatic evidence that one saddle is better.
