I remember the day we met Debbie Witty from Trilogy. Jessica and I were at NEDA Fall festival and knew that Hinter, our Fell Pony was falling apart. He was trying his hardest to hold it together but he was noticeably uncomfortable. We decided that we were going to have to pull him from the rest of the show.

I remember calling my husband Kevin and telling him that we were now sure that Hinter’s custom saddle was causing him much discomfort and we were fearful that he had been permanently injured. His response was that we should find a new saddle for him immediately. It was shortly thereafter when we met.

The disappointment and frustration was all over our faces and heavy in our hearts. We approached your booth and were greeted with warmth and heartfelt concern. We looked at your Trilogy saddles and immediately were impressed.

It was shortly thereafter you asked to see Hinter. When we brought him to you, you immediately validated our concerns that Hinter’s saddle did not properly fit him and was causing him great discomfort. I remember saying to you we want to purchase a new saddle and you said “no”. You would not sell us a new saddle, instead you helped us shim the saddle and immediately Hinter was relieved of the pain. Jessica rode Hinter with the shims and we stood there with tears in our eyes. This would buy us some time to get him balanced again.

Jessica worked for months with Hinter using your recommendations to restore his shoulder. Thanks to Jessica’s hard work and determination, and Hinter’s willingness to trust Jessica. Hinter’s weakened shoulder muscled up, back to normal. It was then that you said Hinter is now ready for a Trilogy saddle.

After renting us a saddle, measuring Hinter and customizing some details Hinter’s Trilogy saddle arrived. When the new saddle was placed on Hinter it was exactly what we were hoping for. The fit and finish are exceptional and the customized detailing is nicer than we expected.

Debbie, thank you, for taking the time to help Hinter. He is a magnificent pony and with his Trilogy saddle, he is happy and moving freely. He completed third level with scores up to 68%, less than a year from when he was competing at First level and was so soar that he could not complete his fall show season.

Please share our story with others as it speaks volumes to your professionalism and love of horses. You placed Hinter’s best interests before your own. Your actions prove your dedication to the health and well being of each and every horse.

Kevin and Ann Tarsagian

There is a common bond between saddle maker, fitter and trainer; all strive to make it easier to move in harmony with the horse. Debbie Witty has crafted the Trilogy saddle to be the best on the market because she listens to the horse and its needs. The trainer crafts the relationship between horse and rider and Jennifer R. Roth is one of those unusual trainers who gives her all to her students and also achieves success in her own riding. This year Jennifer received her USDF Gold Medal riding Charles and Joann Smiths’ Marnix in her first two trips down centerline at Grand Prix. She and Marnix have continued to grow together throughout the season, improving in consistency and confidence in the Grand Prix. Jennifer and Marnix are showing a wonderful bond, gained through relaxation and trust. This new found relaxation can, in part, be attributed to his well-fitting Trilogy saddle which Debbie herself had made and maintains for him. Marnix was a horse that historically suffered from chronic back soreness. He no longer has an issue and moves easily under his custom Trilogy saddle and Jennifer’s reassuring training. Jennifer has also done well with many other mounts in the barn. Charles and Joann Smith’s Intermediare I horse Vermeer is also going well and is scheduled to soon make his debut in the Intermediare II and Grand Prix, thanks to Jennifer’s calm, confidence-building training. Jennifer’s own young horse Reebok is quickly moving up the levels and is a shining star. All three of these horses tend to be hot and tense but Jennifer is giving them the confidence to perform at their best.

The crowning achievement of any trainer is the success of their students. Jennifer has had, just this year alone, 15 riders/horses in the barn qualified for Regional Championships and 2 riders have achieved their USDF Bronze Medals. High percentage awards, Dover Medals, breed awards, Championship awards…these have been a part of every show for Team Gypsy Woods. Most of her clients choose to ride in a Trilogy saddle, not because it is a requirement, or even a suggestion, but because they can feel good quality and the positive difference a well-fitting saddle makes in both their riding and in their horse’s comfort & performance. Many of her students have had that “ah ha” moment when they see how a Trilogy saddle makes their riding easier; they were fighting an ill-fitting saddle and were amazed when they felt the exceptional difference the correct one can make. Debbie has such an amazing eye. She can see what you need now, and what may need to be adjusted as rider and horse continues to develop, so many clients choose the Trilogy brand themselves.

2012 has already been an exceptional year at Gypsy Woods Farm. Everyone is looking forward to 2013 to see what it has in store for all the horses and riders.

"How do you know when a saddle fits well?"
This was an earnest question that was asked by a fellow amateur barn mate. She was trying to absorb as much as possible during a saddle fit session with Debbie who had made a special trans-continental trip to fit my three horses.

While Debbie has a very good 7-point fit tutorial and can explain to you about physiology and asymmetrical muscle development, the best way I could answer my barn mate's question was to say, "You have to ride in a saddle that was fit by Debbie!"

Like a school master who can give you the correct feeling of throughness or the right response to a half halt, when you ride in a saddle that was fit by Debbie, you can truly "feel" how saddles are supposed to fit, not just understand intellectually.

As Debbie evaluated my horses in cross ties and reflocked the saddles, we went through a meticulous process of observation and feedback under saddle. She watched how the movement of the horse influenced the position of the saddle and myself and made small adjustments which made big differences; for example, the stickiness to the right rein which I had considered "part of the warm up" for one horse instantly went away!

The biggest "aha" moment came when we found the fit for my gelding who had found the adjustment to California and a new rider and riding style very challenging. He also came with a slew of physical issues. Debbie made keen observations about his physical state and provided me with solutions which I can try as his back continues to develop differently.

I told Debbie the story about my Ikebana teacher when I lived in Japan. To teach us the correct placement of a flower, she would hold the stem of a flower between her thumb and index finger and just rub it gently a few times to shift its orientation ever so slightly. The flower would look instantly alive and as it was meant to be there.

This is exactly what it felt like when Debbie adjusted the saddle for my gelding. Instead of a "creeky" back with holes that gradually had to "fill up" through the warm up, the saddle felt like it made the horse "complete." The back was alive and the saddle was meant to be there!

I also have to give a lot of credit to Peggy McGaw, the rep in the area who hanged out with us from 9am to 5pm and treated the day as a "learning session" and did not charge me a cent! Peggy will now be able to pick up where Debbie left us as my horses continue to develop. This is an example of how Trilogy and its representatives truly stand behind their product and take much pride in their work.

Thank you Debbie for your great saddles, hard work and dedication. You are a life-time horsewoman with a keen understanding of the horse from multiple angles. Your experiences make you a uniquely qualified person to provide that bridge between horse and rider.

Hucks Toi, my first dressage horse, deserves the credit for leading me to Trilogy Saddles and Debbie Witty. He suffered a broken rib as a youngster and can be quite sensitive in his back. I needed a saddle first and foremost for his comfort, and one that would allow him to move freely to develop his muscles for dressage. As an adult amateur (and somewhat new to dressage four years ago), it was important for me to find a saddle that helped stabilize my position. Enter Trilogy and the local saddle fitter, Terry Zambrana.

Terry spent a lot of time with Hucks Toi and me to find the right Trilogy. We tried them all. His comfort and ease of movement was paramount. Each saddle had its own advantages but the amazing thing I found with the Trilogy is that the comfort and confidence level actually increased once I was riding in it. It is one thing to sit in a saddle on a block, but another all together to feel it move underneath you on your horse. As the rider must look elegant AND be effective-the same can be said for a saddle.

Terry would quiz me during and after the ride to get my feedback on how Hucks Toi felt and responded. She would note her observations on my position which I also confirmed…the Verago Elite improved my position. For me, that first Trilogy saddle became the cornerstone of my riding. It gave me the foundation of correct position and allowed Hucks Toi to advance in the work. A few years later, a young Oldenburg presented his glorious and still growing self to me. I needed a saddle that would adapt to this young talent, Royal Opponent. There was no doubt for me that I wanted another Trilogy, but would it suit my new horse? Again, Terry patiently spent time working on getting the right fit for Royal as he was going through all kinds of growth spurts and muscle development. She was always available to make the necessary saddle adjustments. It was with Royal that I truly felt the security of how a quality saddle aids the rider’s seat. As his gaits developed in suspension and cadence, my seat had to become stronger in order to follow his movement. My Trilogy Verago grew not only with my developing horse but gave me the confidence to advance with him. In August 2011, we became the CDS Southern RAAC 1st Level Elite Champions and with our winning score of 74%, we captured the overall Elite RAAC High Point. We have even scored a couple of 10s!

Along the way, I was introduced to Debbie Witty of Performance Saddlery. Anyone who has spent some time with Debbie knows she sets the tone of her company for she is genuinely interested in the fit and performance of her product. What impresses me more is her enthusiasm and encouragement for Trilogy riders to succeed in both their personal riding and show ring goals. And it isn’t just the sponsored riders, but the regular amateur riders who are the backbone of our sport. She is quite the lady and an ardent supporter of dressage in the United States.

Every time I go up center line be it in the show ring or in the arena at home, I ride with pride knowing
there is a great company and saddle team cheering my horses and me on to success and helping us
achieve our dreams.