The hunt begins: Bates Apex launch partners revealed
The signal's breaking through. Something's coming that doesn't play by the rules.
Bates Apex is the biggest evolution in jump saddles we've ever created—a saddle built for riders who hunt perfection, not wait for it. Featuring patented, game-changing technology that we can't wait to reveal, this isn't just another saddle launch. It's a revolution.
But here's the thing: apex predators don't wait in line. They hunt.
Elite riders already hunting
From August 2024 onward, select elite riders have been competing on the Bates Apex. Their reaction? Immediate conversion. At least one horse switched to the Bates Apex—typically their top competition mount.
Should you train or compete alongside them (or simply love their social media), you can ask for insider details in person, and how you can use their connection to get access.
Elite sponsored showjumpers:
- Rebecca "Bex" Mason, England @bexmasonsj
- Sam, Carly, Grace and Hannah Overton, Australia @overton_showjumping
- Ross and Harriet Smith, Australia @rangeviewequestrian
- Josie Boegh, Denmark @boeghstables
- Russell Johnstone, Australia
- Hayley Morris, New Zealand @hayleymorris1
- Conor Reed, based in Germany, competing for Australia @conorreed297
Elite sponsored eventers:
- Andrew and Madi Cooper, Australia @andrew_cooper_eventing
- Blair and Charlie Richardson, Australia @vantagehill
- Stuart and Gemma Tinney, Australia @stuarttinney.eventing @gemma.tinneyeventing
- Shane Rose, Australia @shane.rose.eventing
- Olivia "Golly" Barton, based in Belgium, competing for Australia @golly_barton
- Sam Woods, Australia
- Shenae Lowings, Australia @shenae.lowings.eventing
- Sam Jeffree, Australia @jeffree_eventing
Campaign contributors: Additional elite riders throughout Europe who joined our Bates Apex video and photo campaign and chose to continue using the saddle include Mia and Enna Holtgers (Germany), Sebastian Elias (Germany), and Beau Vandousselaere (Belgium).
Limited access, exclusive partners
The official Bates Apex launch is April 2026, but we're not making everyone wait that long. Limited quantities of Bates Apex saddles are being released in exclusive drops at select launch partners worldwide between now and April. Each partner controls their own timing and allocation—only they know when their saddles arrive and how many they're getting.
This isn't about mass availability. It's about rewarding the riders who refuse to settle for anything less than the best.
How to get your hands on one
If you want access to a Bates Apex saddle before the official launch, you need to find a launch partner, or sponsored rider in-the-know. We've hand-selected a small group of retailers globally who represent the apex of equestrian retail—partners who understand performance, quality, and the riders who demand both.
Look for the Bates Apex launch partner graphic on our stockist list, or view the list below. That's your signal. Then get in touch with them directly and ask about their allocation. Some will have saddles arriving soon. Others will drop later. All of them have extremely limited numbers.
The hunt is on.
Don't see a partner near you? Many countries, including Australia and North America, will get their first drops of the Bates Apex in early 2026, so keep checking the list to see when more near you are added.
What's next?
Information about the Bates Apex is breaking through piece by piece between now and April 2026. We'll be revealing more about the patented technology, the design innovations, and what makes this saddle a genuine game-changer as we get closer to launch.
Check back regularly. The transmission's getting stronger.
Want to stay updated? Follow us on our social channels or ask your nearest launch partner what they know—they might just tell you something we can't share publicly yet.
The apex predator doesn't ask permission. It takes what it wants.
Are you ready to hunt?
