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Fairfax Gareth Dressage (MDG) Black 16.5" ADJ

Name: Fairfax Gareth Dressage (MDG) Black 16.5" ADJ
Brand: Fairfax
SKU: SC 14089
Price: 2200.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

Fairfax

SKU: SC 14089

£2,200.00

Unit price: per

Condition: 4.0 /5

Serial No: MDG 16.5 1121083

Tax included.Shipping calculated at checkout.

Take two saddles on trial for 5 days.
Use code SADDLETRIAL at checkout.

Have questions? Call 01995 642 102

Fitting
Seat Size:
16.5"
Fits:
NM
M
MW
W
XW
XXW
Adjustability: Adjustable Gullet Bar
Wither Profile: Standard
Features
Gussets:
1/2 Front Gussets
Girthing Options:
Point
V-Web
Saddle Material: Leather
Panel Type: Flocked
Condition
Condition Score: 4.0 /5
Excellent used condition with minimal signs of use and no surface marks or scratches.
Condition Rating
5.0 = New Saddle with Tags
4.5 = Ex-demo Saddle, has been used for fittings.
4.0 = Excellent Condition, has been used and ridden in.
3.5 = Very Good Condition
3.0 = Good Condition
2.0 = Fair Condition
Developed with dressage rider Gareth Hughes, the Gareth Monoflap was built around one goal: a closer connection to the horse without losing the ability to give really subtle aids. The forward-cut seat aligns you more "in" and over your horse's centre of balance, which riders often find gives a more centred, effective feel through transitions and lateral work. It's a monoflap, so you're close through the leg, with surface-mounted thigh blocks there to support your position rather than lock you into one.

Fit & feel

Forward seat design that aligns you more precisely over your horse's centre of balance, supporting a secure, connected feel through transitions and lateral work

Surface-mounted thigh blocks, giving support through the leg without restricting your position

Three interchangeable shoulder block thicknesses, so your fitter can compensate for a horse with uneven muscle development through the shoulder (thicker block on the less-muscled side), letting them build up evenly without restriction

Two girthing options so your fitter can fine-tune stability to suit your horse's shape and way of going

Craftsmanship & fit technology

Handmade in Walsall, England, combining traditional saddlery with Fairfax's own pressure-mapping and gait-analysis testing

Wool-flocked panels with two flocking slots for quick on-site adjustment

Changeable gullet bar (this one's fitted with an R-Bar), giving your fitter room to size the width to your horse, adjustable right up through the wider fittings as they change shape

Since the Gareth was designed with an emphasis on shoulder freedom and forward alignment, it tends to suit horses that move well through the shoulder, and riders who want to sit a touch more forward than a traditional deep-seat dressage design.

If you're trialling it against another monoflap dressage saddle, the two things worth comparing are the seat position (forward vs. traditional) and how the adjustable shoulder blocks feel on your horse, since that's one of the more distinctive things about this model.

It's also worth knowing this is a previous-generation Fairfax saddle (the range has since been updated and renamed the Fairfax Petrus), so you're getting the full Performance-range specification at a used price point rather than something still listed new.

As ever, that's a starting point for narrowing things down rather than a fit guarantee, so we'd recommend trialling it alongside an appointment with a fitter to see how it sits on your horse.
Free Saddle Consultations
Speak to our team and get a free virtual saddle consultation. We can look at pictures of your horse and ask you for measurements to help give you peace of mind you're trying the best saddle for your budget.
Unlike traditional saddle shops, where customers have to pay the full cost upfront, with our trial you only pay for the most expensive as a security deposit.
*Unfortunately we can only offer our Saddle Trial in the UK due to shipping costs.
Ride Before You Decide
Choose 2 saddles and add to your cart.
Use code "SADDLETRIAL" at checkout.
You will only pay for shipping and the most expensive saddle as security deposit.
We will contact you to answer any questions you may have and then dispatch your saddles.
You get to trial the saddle for 5 days. Make sure you participate in all your riding activities with this saddles and arrange an in-person fitting with your saddle fitter if possible.
At the end of your trial, we will contact you to see how you got on and arrange collection of the saddles.
Once we have received the saddle(s) back and inspected them, we will issue any refunds necessary.
Shipping is calculated for you automatically at checkout.
UK & ROI £25.00 1-2 working days
Europe £35.00 3 -6 working days
USA £110.00 3 - 7 working days
Canada £125.00 4 - 5 working days
Australia £200.00 7 - 10 working days
View full shipping rates

Technical Specification

Fitting

Seat Size:

16.5"

Fits:

NM
M
MW
W
XW
XXW

Adjustability: Adjustable Gullet Bar

Wither Profile: Standard

Features

Gussets:

1/2 Front Gussets

Girthing Options:

Point
V-Web

Saddle Material: Leather

Panel Type: Flocked

Condition

Condition Score: 4.0 /5
Excellent used condition with minimal signs of use and no surface marks or scratches.

Condition Rating
5.0 = New Saddle with Tags
4.5 = Ex-demo Saddle, has been used for fittings.
4.0 = Excellent Condition, has been used and ridden in.
3.5 = Very Good Condition
3.0 = Good Condition
2.0 = Fair Condition

Saddle Description

Developed with dressage rider Gareth Hughes, the Gareth Monoflap was built around one goal: a closer connection to the horse without losing the ability to give really subtle aids. The forward-cut seat aligns you more "in" and over your horse's centre of balance, which riders often find gives a more centred, effective feel through transitions and lateral work. It's a monoflap, so you're close through the leg, with surface-mounted thigh blocks there to support your position rather than lock you into one.

Fit & feel

Forward seat design that aligns you more precisely over your horse's centre of balance, supporting a secure, connected feel through transitions and lateral work
Surface-mounted thigh blocks, giving support through the leg without restricting your position
Three interchangeable shoulder block thicknesses, so your fitter can compensate for a horse with uneven muscle development through the shoulder (thicker block on the less-muscled side), letting them build up evenly without restriction
Two girthing options so your fitter can fine-tune stability to suit your horse's shape and way of going

Craftsmanship & fit technology

Handmade in Walsall, England, combining traditional saddlery with Fairfax's own pressure-mapping and gait-analysis testing
Wool-flocked panels with two flocking slots for quick on-site adjustment
Changeable gullet bar (this one's fitted with an R-Bar), giving your fitter room to size the width to your horse, adjustable right up through the wider fittings as they change shape

Since the Gareth was designed with an emphasis on shoulder freedom and forward alignment, it tends to suit horses that move well through the shoulder, and riders who want to sit a touch more forward than a traditional deep-seat dressage design.

If you're trialling it against another monoflap dressage saddle, the two things worth comparing are the seat position (forward vs. traditional) and how the adjustable shoulder blocks feel on your horse, since that's one of the more distinctive things about this model.

It's also worth knowing this is a previous-generation Fairfax saddle (the range has since been updated and renamed the Fairfax Petrus), so you're getting the full Performance-range specification at a used price point rather than something still listed new.

As ever, that's a starting point for narrowing things down rather than a fit guarantee, so we'd recommend trialling it alongside an appointment with a fitter to see how it sits on your horse.