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Top 5 English Show Hunter Saddles in Canada 2025 — Expert Guide to Antares, CWD, Butet, Devoucoux & Stackhouse for Ring-Ready Performance

Published on Monday, August 25, 2025

Classic close-contact saddles for English show hunter riders emphasize a long legline, a smooth, secure seat, and an elegant silhouette that presents clean lines in the hunter ring. In Canada in 2025, buyers choose hunter saddles for a mix of performance and presentation: consistent balance that helps horses jump and move forward in a steady frame, precise communication through refined leatherwork and flap geometry, and durable materials suited to variable climate and intensive use. Preferences in this market favor saddles that offer adjustable trees or flocking for individual horse fit, reliable after-sales support and fitting services, and a polished look for show turnout. Riders also weigh resale value, brand reputation, and whether a model supports the classical hunter position rather than a modern close-contact jumping posture; those priorities explain why established European makers and specialized builders remain popular choices in Canada.

Quick Menu

1. Best Balance & Fit

2. Best Women's Fit

3. Best Classic Craftsmanship

4. Best Comfort & Support

5. Best Canadian Custom Value

1
BEST BALANCE & FIT

Antares Connexion Hunter Saddle

Antares Connexion Hunter Saddle

Antares Connexion is a top-tier show hunter saddle featuring the Connexion panel system and extensive custom-fit options that deliver close contact and a balanced rider position for English show hunter horses. Compared with the other saddles on this list, it strikes a practical balance between CWD's ultralight carbon technology and Butet's traditional craftsmanship, often offering competitive customization at a price point that preserves resale value.

4.6
★★★★☆

  • Close-contact hug

  • Balanced like science

  • Close-contact hug

  • Balanced like science

Review Summary

89%

"Riders praise its balanced seat, close contact and high-quality leather; some note a break-in period, a premium price, and that fit can be particular for some horse shapes."

  • Plush calf support

  • French-made premium leather with a refined hunter cut for close contact

  • Plush calf support

  • French-made premium leather with a refined hunter cut for close contact

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Skill Development & Mastery

Antares Connexion is a top-tier show hunter saddle featuring the Connexion panel system and extensive custom-fit options that deliver close contact and a balanced rider position for English show hunter horses. Compared with the other saddles on this list, it strikes a practical balance between CWD's ultralight carbon technology and Butet's traditional craftsmanship, often offering competitive customization at a price point that preserves resale value.

  • Close-contact hug

  • Balanced like science

  • Plush calf support

  • French-made premium leather with a refined hunter cut for close contact

  • Wool-flocked panels and multiple tree widths for custom horse fit

  • Close-contact hug

  • Balanced like science

  • Plush calf support

  • French-made premium leather with a refined hunter cut for close contact

  • Wool-flocked panels and multiple tree widths for custom horse fit

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$8,000-12,000 CAD

2
BEST WOMEN'S FIT

CWD 2Gs Mademoiselle Hunter Saddle

CWD 2Gs Mademoiselle Hunter Saddle

CWD 2Gs Mademoiselle uses CWD's 2Gs tree and advanced flocking to provide an extremely light, sculpted fit and superior shock absorption that high-level hunters demand in the show ring. It generally carries a premium over brands like Stackhouse and Antares but delivers technical advantages—such as carbon reinforcements and minimized bulk—that riders seeking peak performance often accept financially.

4.8
★★★★☆

  • Parisian elegance

  • Ultra-close feel

  • Parisian elegance

  • Ultra-close feel

Review Summary

95%

"Consistently lauded for exceptional craftsmanship, customizable fit and a secure, cushioned seat for hunters; very expensive but reviewers report excellent long-term performance and durability."

  • Flocked precision

  • Shorter flap profile (Mademoiselle) optimized for many female riders' leg alignment

  • Flocked precision

  • Shorter flap profile (Mademoiselle) optimized for many female riders' leg alignment

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Skill Development & Mastery

Recreational Enjoyment

CWD 2Gs Mademoiselle uses CWD's 2Gs tree and advanced flocking to provide an extremely light, sculpted fit and superior shock absorption that high-level hunters demand in the show ring. It generally carries a premium over brands like Stackhouse and Antares but delivers technical advantages—such as carbon reinforcements and minimized bulk—that riders seeking peak performance often accept financially.

  • Parisian elegance

  • Ultra-close feel

  • Flocked precision

  • Shorter flap profile (Mademoiselle) optimized for many female riders' leg alignment

  • Lightweight advanced-tree design for close contact and shock reduction

  • Parisian elegance

  • Ultra-close feel

  • Flocked precision

  • Shorter flap profile (Mademoiselle) optimized for many female riders' leg alignment

  • Lightweight advanced-tree design for close contact and shock reduction

Order Now

$9,000-14,000 CAD

3
BEST CLASSIC CRAFTSMANSHIP

Butet Premium Gold Hunter Saddle

Butet Premium Gold Hunter Saddle

Butet Premium Gold is a hand-built French saddle renowned for its narrow twist, luxurious leather and timeless balance, making it a go-to for traditional hunter riders in English show hunter competition. While priced comparably to Antares, Butet's artisanal construction and long-term durability often outweigh the absence of the latest synthetic or carbon technologies found in models like CWD or Devoucoux for buyers prioritizing craftsmanship.

4.7
★★★★☆

  • Featherweight luxury

  • Hand-stitched charm

  • Featherweight luxury

  • Hand-stitched charm

Review Summary

93%

"Favored for extremely supple leather, a narrow twist and immediate close-contact feel; owners appreciate the workmanship but cite high cost and routine maintenance as downsides."

  • Silky leather glow

  • Handcrafted French leather construction with a traditional hunter silhouette

  • Silky leather glow

  • Handcrafted French leather construction with a traditional hunter silhouette

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Skill Development & Mastery

Butet Premium Gold is a hand-built French saddle renowned for its narrow twist, luxurious leather and timeless balance, making it a go-to for traditional hunter riders in English show hunter competition. While priced comparably to Antares, Butet's artisanal construction and long-term durability often outweigh the absence of the latest synthetic or carbon technologies found in models like CWD or Devoucoux for buyers prioritizing craftsmanship.

  • Featherweight luxury

  • Hand-stitched charm

  • Silky leather glow

  • Handcrafted French leather construction with a traditional hunter silhouette

  • Narrow, close-contact tree options favored in show hunter rings

  • Featherweight luxury

  • Hand-stitched charm

  • Silky leather glow

  • Handcrafted French leather construction with a traditional hunter silhouette

  • Narrow, close-contact tree options favored in show hunter rings

Order Now

$7,000-11,000 CAD

4
BEST COMFORT & SUPPORT

Devoucoux Biarritz O Hunter Saddle

Devoucoux Biarritz O Hunter Saddle

Devoucoux Biarritz O pairs a semi-deep seat with the brand's O-tree flexibility and adaptive panels to maximize horse comfort and rider stability tailored to show hunter demands. It distinguishes itself technically through versatile panel geometry and a forgiving tree compared with the stiffer, carbon-focused designs of some rivals, offering a mid-to-high price that balances modern function with traditional feel.

4.5
★★★★☆

  • Sporty balance

  • Adjustable comfort

  • Sporty balance

  • Adjustable comfort

Review Summary

88%

"Noted for an ergonomic seat and good weight distribution that suits many hunters; reviewers say tree and panel choices are important to achieve the ideal fit on different horses."

  • French-made finesse

  • Designed with supportive blocks and a comfortable seat for consistent hunter position

  • French-made finesse

  • Designed with supportive blocks and a comfortable seat for consistent hunter position

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Skill Development & Mastery

Time-Saving Convenience

Devoucoux Biarritz O pairs a semi-deep seat with the brand's O-tree flexibility and adaptive panels to maximize horse comfort and rider stability tailored to show hunter demands. It distinguishes itself technically through versatile panel geometry and a forgiving tree compared with the stiffer, carbon-focused designs of some rivals, offering a mid-to-high price that balances modern function with traditional feel.

  • Sporty balance

  • Adjustable comfort

  • French-made finesse

  • Designed with supportive blocks and a comfortable seat for consistent hunter position

  • Adjustable paneling and varied tree widths to improve horse comfort and balance

  • Sporty balance

  • Adjustable comfort

  • French-made finesse

  • Designed with supportive blocks and a comfortable seat for consistent hunter position

  • Adjustable paneling and varied tree widths to improve horse comfort and balance

Order Now

$7,500-11,500 CAD

5
BEST CANADIAN CUSTOM VALUE

Stackhouse Hunter Pro Saddle

Stackhouse Hunter Pro Saddle

Stackhouse Hunter Pro is the market leader for riders seeking American-made value, delivering a dependable hunter seat fit and durable leather at a noticeably lower entry price than most European luxury saddles on this list. Although it may not offer the bespoke refinements of CWD, Antares or Butet, its affordability, solid workmanship and straightforward reflocking/serviceability make it ideal for owners and trainers building a show hunter string on a budget.

4.4
★★★★☆

  • Rigid stability

  • Versatile fit

  • Rigid stability

  • Versatile fit

Review Summary

86%

"Well-liked for solid build, traditional hunter balance and good value compared with other handmade options; fewer reviewers and a smaller dealer network are common limitations."

  • Durable for miles

  • Canadian-made with a focus on custom tree fits and affordable bespoke options

  • Durable for miles

  • Canadian-made with a focus on custom tree fits and affordable bespoke options

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Skill Development & Mastery

Stackhouse Hunter Pro is the market leader for riders seeking American-made value, delivering a dependable hunter seat fit and durable leather at a noticeably lower entry price than most European luxury saddles on this list. Although it may not offer the bespoke refinements of CWD, Antares or Butet, its affordability, solid workmanship and straightforward reflocking/serviceability make it ideal for owners and trainers building a show hunter string on a budget.

  • Rigid stability

  • Versatile fit

  • Durable for miles

  • Canadian-made with a focus on custom tree fits and affordable bespoke options

  • Wool-flocked panels and flap choices tailored to hunter riders

  • Rigid stability

  • Versatile fit

  • Durable for miles

  • Canadian-made with a focus on custom tree fits and affordable bespoke options

  • Wool-flocked panels and flap choices tailored to hunter riders

Order Now

$4,500-7,500 CAD

What Research Says About Saddle Fit, Rider Balance and Performance

Biomechanics and equine veterinary research over the past two decades consistently show that correctly fitted saddles and rider position influence horse comfort, movement symmetry, and performance. For hunter discipline goals—steady rhythm, consistent bascule, and a quiet, obedient ride—evidence supports investing in a saddle that minimizes localized pressure on the horse’s back and allows the rider to maintain a long, quiet leg and centered seat.

Pressure distribution: Studies reported in journals such as Equine Veterinary Journal and Journal of Biomechanics find that poorly fitted saddles create high-pressure hotspots that correlate with muscle soreness and altered gait; well-fitted hunter saddles distribute load more evenly across the horse’s topline.

Movement and symmetry: Research shows improved stride symmetry and range of motion when horses are ridden in saddles matched to their back shape, which supports more consistent jumping bascule and cadence in the hunter ring.

Rider balance and aids: Laboratory and field studies demonstrate that saddles designed for a close-contact, long-leg position help riders keep clearer, more consistent aids, reducing the need for corrective rein or leg actions that can confuse a horse.

Comfort and long-term soundness: Evidence indicates that chronic pressure and friction from ill-fitting tack can contribute to muscular atrophy and pain; investing in fit, adjustable trees, or professional flocking services helps protect equine welfare and maintain soundness for competition.

Practical testing: Comparative fit assessments and rider-centered evaluations (including pressure-mapping technology commonly used by saddle fitters) are useful tools to select the best hunter saddle for an individual horse-rider pair.

In Canada’s hunter scene, the five models profiled here—Antares Connexion Hunter Saddle, CWD 2Gs Mademoiselle Hunter Saddle, Butet Premium Gold Hunter Saddle, Devoucoux Biarritz O Hunter Saddle, and Stackhouse Hunter Pro Saddle—represent the balance of classic hunter lines, rider comfort, and adjustability that serious competitors seek. For most Canadian riders looking for a combination of custom fitting options, dealer support, and consistent ring performance, the CWD 2Gs Mademoiselle Hunter Saddle stands out as the best overall choice among these five due to its widely available tree options and established servicing network. We hope you found what you were looking for; use the site search to refine by size, tree type, price range or to expand your search to custom or secondhand options.

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