The podiums are easy to fit they are quite flexible,,  This is not a treeless saddle so there isn’t the risk of weight on the spine, it is more based on a western saddle with a wide bearing serface on the horses back so the weight is mor evenly distributed than on a english saddle..  The fit which we nearly always supply in a wide fitting, we havent yet sold a narrow.To adjust the fit , on most models you open the Velcro strips along the panel under the stirrups and insert Shimmys thin pieces of felted flat panels above the wadding , so that the saddle is level on top when you are riding and your body is central.  The best selling size is 17W  for an average adult, we sell some 18" for taller of heavier adults, and 16" rarely.

PARTS of the podiums can be replaced if they wear out, the tops can be replaced with the same or a different top, the other components,  girth straps & under panels  can also be removed and replaced .  Extra D rings can be attached just be screwing into the prepared holes also a roping fixture.

The best fitting of the range is the Tex Tech,  I have tried every saddle In the range and this is the lightest and most flexible.   Followed by the Trek if you want a harder wearing saddle.nearly all the saddles we sell have a sympatex panel, it is more hygenic than the sheepskin base.  It is easy to slosh through as it is an open cell construction.   Advantages/Disadvantages as follows

TEXTECH:-   Very light, very flexible, very comfy for both the horse and the rider (sheepskin topped)    Disadvantage, not as hard wearing so sheepskin can get rubbed and panel below leathers can wear especially if a very wobbly rider,  I havent had much wear on mine, but some customers have.  But I still rate this as the best and lightest of the saddles,  after 2 50mile race rides ,winning both, my sensitive thin skinned horse hadnt a mark on him. 

Trek/Endurance -   not as light as tex , very flexible, comfy on horse, not as comfy as tex for rider due to lack of sheepskin,  (but you can put a sheepskin on top of leather), a bit heavier,  advantage at least you can remove a sheepskin cover.  Harder wearing,   Still a great saddle

Champion Pro -  Removable panels,  the panels velcro to the base of the tree so that they can be easily replaced, but they dont flex the same as the  tex tech, which I still prefer, I used a sheepskin cover over the top of the padded calf skin top for extra comfort,  the calfskin top is velcrod on so you can whip it off easily and replace.

Sheepskin covered RAT not as comfy as tex tech for rider, fits like trek, now sheepskin has worn on trial model it cant be replaced without a whole top panel.

I have tried several different STIRRUPS and have found for comfort the Sprenger Boa Stirrups have been best, wide base for your foot, flexible for knees etc,   It is important to use a safety stirrup with a Podium saddle due to the fact the stirrup straps are attached to the tree, they will not come off!   I found the Podium cage stirrups too heavy and inflexible, I tried flexistirrups with cages but got cramp in my calfs on a long ride due to the inability to move my feet forward so found I was clinging on all the time with my toes (riding partner also found the same).

GIRTH a dressage girth is needed, wintecs work quite well, followed by neoprene wide girths, best of all is podium wide leather girth, 

Leather girth strap versions can be too wide for normal girths, but biothane straps are slimmer and fit most girths. For long rides I tend to ride with a breastplate on so that I don’t need a tight girth which allows my horse to breath more and stops me panicking if he suddenly breaths in and I cant get down to tighten the girth as it is usually (as dressage girth) more under horse

Stirrups LEATHERS, I use any, biothane usually on the textech as it keeps it light and easy, I have the podium leather ones on the leather saddle, they are wide and comfy.  But on the whole any stirrups leathers work ok..I have tried every saddle I can think of on my flat backed arab and this is the only saddle I can get to fit him. 

 We offer a try system for our Podium saddles,  if you buy one , we send it out and have a return fee of £25.00/week to allow for devaluation of the saddle.  As these saddles are mainly sold for endurance they are impossible to get a true trial of them in an arena, this allows for a proper trial at a distance.