Total elegance meets high performance in an iconic dressage saddle that is state of the art. The Bates Isabell Icon stands alone in freeing your horse’s full scope of movement and conveying your aids clearly. Strengthening your natural position and enhancing your intuitive connection, through saddle innovation and career experience. Your journey starts here.
Beneath elegant lines, the perfect dressage seat and leading saddle innovations can be tailored perfectly for your ridden biomechanics. When you optimise the saddle for your natural position, your balance and stability are enhanced, you ride in total synergy and your vision comes to life.
“Sitting centrally in the saddle you feel close to your horse, able to sit deeper with exceptional stability to move with the swing of your horse.'' Isabell Werth
Engineered to adapt with your horse as they move through their body with total comfort, displaying strength and suppleness through their movements.
You will immediately notice your connection is accentuated and your horse more intrinsically responsive to your aids.
“I love to see the freedom in my horse’s shoulder, to feel in their expression they are comfortable and supple. The adjustability of my saddle together with CAIR has kept so many of my horses so comfortable over so many years.'' Isabell Werth
Available in Black or Brown in 17', 17.5' or 18'
Weight - Approximately 6.8 kg/14.8 lb
DEMO models on sale - very little use
Your horse will show a marked improvement in their freedom of movement, as world leading performance systems the EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution and CAIR Cushion System maximize your horse’s comfort and freedom of movement. Your horse will enjoy unsurpassed adaptability for an optimal fit, even weight distribution, a fluid cushioning and the ultimate impact absorption.
These saddles are sold as standard with a Medium width (Black) Easy Change Gullet.
All other gullet sizes from Narrow to Extra Wide are available on our separate listing and are sold separately.
We strongly recommend fitting these saddles under the guidance of a Bates trained saddler. Please see the Bates site for a full list of approved saddlers in your area.
When trying on your saddle please ensure you use a clean saddlecloth and do not remove any tags. Saddles which have had the tags removed, been sat on, girthed up, ridden on or show any signs of use cannot be returned.
Saddle Fitting Information
After your initial saddle fit, we recommend that you have the fit of your saddle checked within the first three months, as it will settle in the head during the initial riding period, as is standard with all new saddles. Following this initial settling in period, your saddle fit should then be assessed every six months throughout your saddle’s life to ensure the saddle continues to fit correctly, as your horse changes shape according to its age, level of fitness and work program. It is always recommended that you seek ongoing professional advice on your horse’s saddle fit, where possible. However the following information can assist you in not only assessing your horse’s saddle fit, but understanding when simple adjustments should be made.
In order to check the clearance, bearing and balance of a saddle, it is important that the saddle is positioned correctly. All fitting adjustments and saddle alterations should be made in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.
Ensure your horse is standing square and is on level ground. Locate your horse’s shoulder and check to see that the nail of the saddle is approximately three fingers distance from the edge of your horse’s shoulder.
Checking for sufficient clearance
Sufficient clearance of your horse’s wither, across the width and length of the spine, should be maintained at all times. Check to see that the channel of the saddle is clear of your horse’s wither and spine through the length of the saddle.
Checking for even bearing
Your saddle should bear evenly on your horse’s back, providing a close fit. Run your hand between your horse and the panel of your saddle to check for even bearing. If your saddle features the CAIR Cushion System, it is important that a rider sits in the saddle to check the bearing, as the air becomes dynamic under the rider’s weight.
Checking for a balanced seat
Check that the deepest part of the saddle seat is central and level to ensure perfect saddle balance. Should your saddle require further adjustments select the optimal combination of EASY-CHANGE Risers to achieve sufficient clearance, even bearing and perfect balance.
NB. The innovative systems in our saddles offer unsurpassed flexibility in achieving an optimal fit, however, no one saddle can claim to fit any horse. It is always recommended you seek ongoing professional advice on the fit and in meeting the unique needs of each horse/rider combination.
We are one of the largest independent retailers of Bates in the UK and a verified premium stockist giving us access to the entire range. Our sales advisors all use these products on a daily basis so are able to offer you expert advice. If you need any assistance in selecting the right item for you or your horse please don't hesitate to contact us.