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Shopping for a saddle for young riders often comes down to two options: the Pessoa Pony Saddle and the Pessoa Junior Saddle. Both are popular choices for kids and smaller teens moving up from a first saddle or looking for a step up in quality.
(I’ve written an in-depth Pessoa Junior Saddle review in another post which you’ll find helpful.)
These two models each bring something different to the table. As someone who’s had hands-on experience fitting both of these saddles for young equestrians, I know the details can really matter.
This review lays out what makes each saddle unique, and how to judge which might be the better fit for your goals, your rider, and of course, your horse or pony.
If you’re a parent or trainer seeking that all-in-one breakdown of features and real-world experience, you’re in the right place.
Product Introductions
What is the Pessoa Pony Saddle?
The Pessoa Pony Saddle is an English close-contact jumping saddle specifically designed for ponies and young riders. It’s lightweight and made to suit the proportions of children who are just learning, or who are getting more serious about their riding.
Key Features
- Pony-specific fit: The tree and panels are shaped to fit the backs of ponies while giving a narrow twist that helps smaller riders maintain good balance and position both on the flat and over jumps.
- Close contact design: Minimal rigging under the leg keeps the rider close to the pony, encouraging better leg position and communication.
- Comfortable seat & panels: A half-deep seat with supportive foam gives a comfortable, supportive ride and helps the rider stay balanced. Bayflex® panels (medical-grade memory foam) distribute weight evenly and help eliminate pressure points on the pony’s back.
- Adjustable gullet system: The X-Change® Interchangeable Gullet System lets you change the tree width (comes with Medium installed). This means you can adjust the fit for different ponies if needed.
- Lightweight and flexible: A carbon fiber tree flexes with the pony’s movement, which can improve comfort and range of motion.
- Flap options: Available in different flap lengths (Short, Medium, Long) to suit different rider leg lengths.
Who It’s For
- Ideal for youth riders who are serious about learning proper position and balance.
- Designed to fit ponies of all sizes comfortably while giving young riders confidence over fences and in the flatwork
In sum, the Pessoa Pony Saddle is a premium-level beginner/young-rider jumping saddle built with quality materials and thoughtful design specifically for ponies and smaller riders. It balances comfort, adjustability, and performance to support developing riders as they grow in their sport.
What is the Pessoa Junior Saddle?
The Pessoa Junior Saddle is a high-quality English close-contact jumping saddle designed primarily for kids and young riders who are transitioning up from a pony saddle and starting to do more serious flatwork and jumping. It’s a step above a basic pony saddle but built to keep the proportions right for smaller riders while still fitting larger ponies or young horses.
Key Features
- Junior rider focus: Sized and styled for youth riders growing out of pony-sized gear.
- Adjustable fit: Uses the XCH™ interchangeable gullet system — comes with a medium gullet plate installed, and you can switch to narrower or wider gullets to fit different horses or ponies.
- Comfort & panel design:
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- AMS® synthetic wool panels are softer and gentler on the horse’s back than standard foam, helping distribute weight and encourage correct back use.
- Wider channel reduces pressure on the spine for better comfort and movement.
- Seat & contact: Half-deep seat with soft supportive foam gives riders a secure, close contact feel, helping them maintain a natural jumping and flatwork position.
- Minimal rigging: Keeps the rider close to the horse for improved leg position and feel.
- Lightweight tree: The carbon fiber tree flexes with the horse’s movement, improving comfort and freedom of motion.
- Knee support: Flat knee pads with Velcro® blocks help steady the rider’s leg without creating bulk.
- Multiple sizes: Available in various seat and flap sizes so it can fit a range of young riders as they grow.
Who It’s For
- Young riders transitioning out of pony saddles and doing more advanced schooling or beginning jumping.
- Pony or small horse owners who want a saddle that can adapt between mounts with the interchangeable gullet system.
The Pessoa Junior Saddle is a nicely featured, youth-oriented jumping saddle — offering adjustability, close contact feel, comfort for the horse, and support for developing riders — making it a popular choice for kids moving into larger mounts and more serious riding.
Who Are These Saddles Designed For?
Pessoa Pony Saddle Target Audience
Young Riders & Beginner Jumpers
This saddle was specifically designed for children and young riders learning to balance, position, and develop correct basics in riding and jumping. It was originally created by Nelson Pessoa for his own son in his early years, and remains ideal for riders serious about starting on the right foundation.
Pony Mounts (All Sizes)
It’s built around a pony-specific tree and panel shape that fits ponies comfortably — from the smallest to larger pony sizes — while still providing proper balance for the rider.
Riders Focusing on Position & Balance
The saddle’s narrow twist and supportive seat help smaller riders find and maintain a balanced seat, proper leg position, and close contact feel — especially useful for those beginning flatwork and jumping.
Pony Owners Who Value Comfort & Adjustability
With features like the Bayflex® panels (designed for comfort and even weight distribution) and the X-Change® interchangeable gullet system, it appeals to pony owners who want a saddle that can be adjusted to fit changing pony shapes or rider needs over time.
In short: This saddle is targeted toward kids and youth riders on ponies who are learning to ride and jump, as well as pony owners who want a high-quality, adjustable saddle to support a young rider’s balance, position, and comfort.
Pessoa Junior Saddle Target Audience
1. Growing Youth Riders
This saddle is primarily made for children and young equestrians who are advancing from a pony saddle and need a slightly larger, performance-oriented saddle as they grow. It’s sized in smaller seat options (e.g., around 15″–16″) to suit youth riders rather than adult riders.
2. Transitioning from Pony to Larger Mounts
The Junior model is explicitly described as the next step up from a pony saddle — meaning it’s intended for riders who have outgrown the smaller pony-specific saddle but aren’t yet ready for a full-size adult jump saddle.
3. Riders Doing Jumping & Flatwork
It’s built as a close-contact (jumping) saddle, suitable for kids practicing show jumping, equitation, or general flatwork — especially in programs where they are regularly schooling over fences.
4. Pony or Small Horse Owners Who Need Adjustability
The saddle’s interchangeable gullet system and flocked/AMS panels make it easier to adjust fit across different ponies or smaller horses — useful for barns, lesson programs, or families with multiple mounts.
5. Riders & Families Focused on Proper Position and Progression
Because of its close contact feel, supportive seat, and youth-friendly size options, the Junior saddle is aimed at developing correct position and balance as riders advance their skills.
Summary
The Pessoa Junior Saddle is best for children and youth riders who are:
- Moving up from a pony saddle but not yet into adult-sized saddles.
- Engaged in jumping, equitation, or regular schooling.
- Riding ponies or smaller horses and need a saddle that can adjust fit as they grow or switch mounts.
Pessoa Pony Saddle: Pros and Cons
Pros:
Key Pros — Why Riders & Parents Like It
Designed for Young Riders & Correct Positioning
This saddle was originally developed by Nelson Pessoa for his own son, so it’s built with youth biomechanics in mind — helping young riders find balance, proper leg alignment, and secure posture right from the start.
Pony-Specific Fit & Comfort
The tree and panel shape are tailored specifically for ponies and smaller backs, providing better weight distribution, shoulder freedom, and spine clearance. This reduces pressure points and keeps the pony comfortable during lessons or light competition.
Lightweight & Easy to Handle
A carbon fiber tree keeps the saddle remarkably lightweight, making it easier for kids to handle and also reducing bulk on the pony’s back — a big plus in daily training or schooling sessions.
Adjustable Fit with Interchangeable Gullet System
The X-Change® gullet system lets you switch gullet plates so the saddle can fit different pony shapes or changing growth over time — perfect for families with multiple ponies or growing riders.
Supportive Seat & Close Contact Feel
A half-deep seat with cushioned foam and narrow twist helps young riders stay centered and feel the pony’s movement, fostering improved communication and confidence.
Durable, Performance-Oriented Construction
Hand-finished cowhide and quality craftsmanship point to longevity — a valuable factor for parents considering this as a long-term investment through early riding years.
Great for Lessons, Schooling & Intro Competition
Because it promotes correct fundamentals and pony comfort, it’s often chosen by riding schools, pony clubs, and competitive juniors as a dependable saddle that supports progression.
Cons:
- Runs a bit firm at first — typical of durable leather, but it breaks in nicely with use.
- Closer contact means less padding — great for developing balance, though some riders prefer more block support.
- Saddle fit matters — as with any English saddle, professional fitting helps ensure comfort and longevity.
Pessoa Junior Saddle: Pros and Cons
Pros:
Designed for Growing Riders
This is a true next-step-up saddle from a pony model — with multiple seat and flap sizes so kids can use it as they grow without needing custom work right away.
Comfortable, Supportive Seat
A half-deep seat with soft, supportive foam gives riders a secure, balanced feeling and helps promote correct position during both flatwork and jumping.
Close-Contact Feel for Better Communication
Minimal rigging under the leg and a close-contact design help young riders feel the pony or horse better — encouraging effective leg position and confidence in their aids.
Horse-Friendly Panels
The patented AMS® synthetic wool flocked panels are softer and kinder to the pony or horse’s back versus firmer foam, helping distribute weight more evenly and encouraging the horse to move freely.
Adjustable Fit
The XCH™ interchangeable gullet system comes with a medium plate installed and can be swapped out for narrower or wider sizes as the mount’s shape changes — great for barns or multi-pony families.
Lightweight & Flexible Tree
A carbon fiber tree flexes with the horse’s movement, helping promote comfort and motion without adding extra weight for the rider.
Flat Knee Pads with Velcro Blocks
Flat knee pads with Velcro® blocks help steady the rider’s leg without feeling bulky — a nice touch for developing riders who want support without restriction.
Cons:
- Close-contact feel may feel firmer than plush saddles — ideal for helping developing riders improve position.
- Minimal built-in blocks — keeps the leg free and natural, though riders used to deep blocks might notice the difference.
- Gullet plates beyond medium sold separately — gives flexibility to customize fit over time if needed.
- Performance focus means it may feel less cushioned than school-type saddles — great for connection and skill progression.
User Opinions and Reputation
- Pessoa Pony Saddle: Parents and trainers appreciate how this saddle helps young riders improve balance and confidence, with many reporting fewer slipping or balance problems than with generic children’s saddles.
- Pessoa Junior Saddle: Popular with show barns and families with more experienced youth, with lots of positive feedback about its professional feel and how it lasts through multiple children thanks to sturdy construction.
General Consensus: Both saddles have good reputations in entry and midlevel show circuits, but choice really depends on your child’s experience and your long-term riding plans.
Which Saddle Should You Buy?
Picking the right Pessoa saddle comes down to your child’s current stage and goals.
If you need a light, simple, first real saddle for a beginner on a pony, the Pessoa Pony Saddle fits the bill. If your kid is ready to step up, ride multiple horses, or move into bigger shows, the Pessoa Junior Saddle is worth the upgrade.
Choose the Pessoa Pony Saddle if you:
- Have a young beginner on a small pony
- Want something easy to handle, light, and straightforward
- Don’t need advanced technical features yet
Choose the Pessoa Junior Saddle if you:
- Need a saddle for a more experienced child moving into higherlevel lessons
- Want a saddle your child can use as they grow, especially if they’re starting to compete
- Prefer an investment piece that holds up and keeps value
Both models deliver Pessoa’s comfortable, quality ride. The best choice depends on matching the saddle to your rider and their pony. Taking the time to size and fit properly now means more fun, better confidence, and a happier experience for both horse and rider on every ride.
As your young equestrian grows, picking a saddle that keeps up with their progress ensures every ride is enjoyable and helps build a strong foundation for riding skills and a love of the sport.
Choosing the right saddle is about safety, fit, and confidence — not just brand names.
👉 Explore the Pessoa Pony Saddle here and see if it fits your child’s current riding stage.