Understanding Close Contact Saddles: Design, Feel and Performance

Pictured: Shane Rose and Virgil WEG 2018

What is a close contact saddle?

When choosing a saddle, particularly for jumping or eventing, close contact is one of the most commonly used terms. Yet when asked what it truly means, it can be difficult to define. For many riders, close contact is not a single feature but a feeling, one that is immediately recognizable yet experienced slightly differently by each individual. It may be the sensation of settling into your saddle and feeling every stride beneath you, communicating with your horse through the lightest aid or simply feeling secure and ready for whatever comes next.

As riders progress to higher levels, the demands increase. Movements become more complex, jumps become bigger, time becomes tighter and the margin for error continues to narrow. At the core of it all is timing. Simply put, timing matters and you cannot find the right moment if you cannot truly feel what is happening beneath you. Riders at every level have their own reasons for wanting to feel more connected and in sync with their horse. With horses at the heart of the sport, it is only natural to seek a saddle that enhances both comfort and connection.

What features give a saddle a close contact feeling?

Pictured: Shenae Lowings and Bold Venture at the FEI World Championships at Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy

While close contact is often described as a feeling, that feeling is created by a combination of design features working together. Understanding these features can make it easier to identify a true close contact saddle and find one that best suits both you and your horse.

Four key design areas contribute to a close contact feel:

1. Saddle panel systems
2. Flap design
3. Materials
4. Rider positioning

1. Saddle Panel Systems: The Foundation of Close Contact

The panel system plays a critical role in achieving close contact. It should absorb and distribute force while maintaining sensitivity to movement.

High-performance panel systems are designed to:

• provide even, continuous contact across your horse's back
• manage forces during landing and transitions
• maintain consistency under repeated loading
• respond to your horse's movement rather than restrict it

If panels compress or become uneven over time, clarity is reduced and feel is delayed. Modern systems are designed to maintain consistency under load. Air-based panels, such as the CAIR Cushion System, support even pressure distribution while adapting to movement. This helps preserve both comfort and a consistent connection. When panels perform reliably, your horse moves more freely through their back and you receive clearer feedback.

As with all aspects of saddle performance, regular assessment of saddle fit remains important. Riders interested in learning more about evaluating saddle balance, even bearing and overall fit can explore the article made in collaboration with the FEI. Does my saddle fit?

Pictured: Shenae Lowings and Bold Venture at the FEI World Championships at Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy in their Bates Victrix

2. Close Contact Saddle Design: Reducing Bulk Without Losing Stability

Reducing bulk is a defining principle of close contact saddle design, but removing material alone does not automatically improve rider feel. Without adequate stability, a lighter or less structured saddle can introduce unwanted movement, forcing the rider to compensate and potentially reducing consistency of contact.

Effective saddle design removes material only where it interferes with communication between horse and rider, while retaining structure in the areas that contribute most to support and stability. This allows the rider to feel closer to the horse without sacrificing security in the saddle.

Flap design plays a key role in achieving this balance. Monoflap saddles like the Bates Advanta and Bates Artiste, for example, reduce the amount of material between the rider's leg and the horse, creating a more direct and immediate connection. However, stability remains just as important as proximity. If the flap moves independently during riding, contact can become less consistent and subtle rider aids may be less effective.

Pictured: Bates Artiste monoflap dressage saddle

While monoflap saddles are often associated with close contact, they are not the only approach. Modern double-flap saddles increasingly aim to combine a close-contact feel with improved stability by reducing bulk and limiting unwanted flap movement. This reflects a broader understanding that rider feel depends not only on proximity to the horse, but also on the consistency of contact beneath the leg. FlapLock Technology, featured on the Bates Apex, is an example of innovation developed to enhance flap stability within a traditional double-flap design.

For further reading on the importance of flap stability, see our article made in collaboration with the USEA: Where Jump Saddles Lose Riders: Stability Under the Leg and The Eventing Saddle Buyer's Guide: Fit, Function Finding the Right Match.

3. Saddle Materials and Leather: How They Influence Feel and Grip

Leather plays a significant role in how close contact is experienced from the first ride. While softness is often the first thing riders notice, understanding what contributes to quality can help when comparing saddles.

When evaluating saddle leather, look for:

• High-grade calfskin, which is prized for its fine grain, natural suppleness and ability to create a close, responsive feel beneath the leg.
• A consistent grain pattern, indicating quality hide selection and careful leather processing.
• Natural character in the leather, rather than an overly coated or heavily processed appearance that can reduce feel.
• Grip that supports stability, without feeling sticky or restrictive.
• Supple leather with structure, allowing the saddle to feel comfortable while maintaining its shape over time.
• Minimal break-in time, enabling the rider to develop confidence and familiarity more quickly.

The combination of quality leather and thoughtful finishing helps create the secure, connected feeling riders often associate with a true close contact saddle. At Bates Saddles, this principle is reflected in the careful selection of premium European calfskin leathers across the range. Riders seeking exceptional softness and immediate comfort often gravitate towards Luxe Leather, which is featured as standard on our high-performance models. Crafted from the highest-grade European calfskin available, Luxe Leather is selected for its outstanding natural beauty, luxurious softness and exceptional feel. Because of its highly natural finish, only the finest cuts of leather can be used, ensuring remarkable consistency and quality. The result is a leather that offers an immediate sense of comfort and connection, helping riders feel closer to their horse from the very first ride.

4. Rider Position and Alignment: Supporting a Natural Connection

Pictured: Bates Advanta

Close contact is often associated with feeling closer to your horse but that connection is only beneficial when it comes with balance and stability. A well-designed saddle should not only help you feel more but also help you ride more effectively.

The shape of the seat, where your leg sits against the saddle and the support beneath your leg all influence how naturally you can move with your horse. These details can affect:

• balance through transitions
• recovery after a jump or effort
• consistency of contact
• overall stability in the saddle

Features such as the Adjustable Ergonomic Stirrup Bar and movable support blocks allow riders to refine their position and tailor support to their individual build and riding style. When these elements work together, the rider is able to stay balanced, secure and connected, allowing close contact to feel natural rather than forced.

To learn more about how stirrup bar position can influence rider alignment, comfort and balance, see our article Enhance Your Riding Position with One Simple Adjustment and the Focused on Rider Performance resource page.

Pictured: Bates Advanta featuring the Adjustable Ergonomic Stirrup Bar, Movable FlexiContourblocs and Bates SynergyPanel

How Close Contact Saddle Design Supports Rider Performance

A key outcome of effective close contact design is reduced rider effort. When materials remain consistent, panels transmit movement clearly and the saddle stays stable under load, the rider no longer needs to compensate. Energy is conserved, timing improves and communication becomes more precise.

Modern saddle development continues to focus on refining these interactions. From the CAIR Cushion System and premium leather selection through to innovations such as FlapLock Technology, the goal is not simply to create a closer feel but to support clarity, confidence and consistency for horse and rider across every phase of riding.

Pictured: Shane Rose and Virgil at NZ Horse of the Year

Choosing the Right Close Contact Saddle

Close contact is not defined by a single feature. It is the result of thoughtful design working across structure, materials and balance to create clarity without instability. When done well, it removes interference, allowing horse and rider to communicate with precision and confidence in the moments that matter.

Here at Bates Saddles, we are committed to advancing this level of refinement through ongoing innovation in saddle design, supporting the evolving demands of modern riding.

From Horse and Rider Technology and the Adjustable Ergonomic Stirrup Bar to FlapLock Technology featured on the Bates Apex, our innovations are designed to help riders achieve greater comfort, stability and connection with their horse.

For those interested in exploring these principles further, we have also developed a series of educational articles and videos in collaboration with the FEI, offering deeper insight into the relationship between saddle design, rider position and performance. 

You can explore more articles on saddle design, rider performance and saddle innovation on the Bates Saddles website