PLN
Prestige Italia is an Italian saddle manufacturer operating since 1974, based in Trissino in the Veneto region. In 2024, the brand celebrated fifty years of operation, and its saddles are now sold in dozens of countries worldwide. Over these decades, Prestige has established itself as a benchmark in equestrianism - with a consistent emphasis on the well-being of horse and rider and refined production techniques.
Table of Contents
- Forte - where durability meets softness
- Elite - top-tier and London color
- Lux - grip and durability for years
- Leather D - oiled classic with the widest availability
- Cuoio - durability over softness
- Printed - a finish, not a separate type of leather
- Which leather for whom? A brief overview
- Leather is one element - saddle fitting is another
- Summary - how to decide
The premium leathers used to make Prestige saddles come from renowned tanneries in Veneto and Tuscany - regions famous for artisanal tanning, combining tradition with modern technologies while respecting the environment. Some of these leathers undergo natural vegetable tanning, which ensures better color fixation and greater resistance to aging, while others are subjected to an oiling process, giving them softness and good grip. It is worth remembering that the type of leather applies to the flaps and skirts - the seat and knee rolls are made of calfskin or cowhide, depending on the model.
Forte - where durability meets softness
Forte is the newest leather in the Premium Line range and a response to the real dilemma of intensively training riders. Hard leather can last for years but requires breaking in and may be less comfortable at first. Soft leather is immediately pleasant but wears out faster. Forte is a doubled cowhide leather that combines these two worlds - the strength and durability of hard leather with the softness and grip of traditional doubled Prestige leather.
In practice, this means a saddle ready for intensive work almost from the first ride, without sacrificing comfort. Forte is available exclusively in black and only in Premium Line saddles - dressage, jumping, and eventing. If you are looking for a saddle for daily, demanding training, it is worth considering this leather. The full range can be found in the collections of Prestige jumping saddles and Prestige dressage saddles.
Elite - top-tier and London color
Elite is the top-tier covering in the Prestige hierarchy, and its hallmark is the London color - a warm, cognac shade available exclusively for this leather category. It is by this that Elite is recognized at first glance, whether in the show jumping arena or the dressage ring.
In the Premium Line, Elite comes in two varieties with different characteristics. The first is doubled calfskin, subjected to an oiling process for maximum softness - providing optimal grip and comfortable, secure contact with the calf. It is available for jumping, dressage, and eventing saddles. The second is Elite in a printed version - natural vegetable-tanned leather in vats, which requires a longer processing time but results in higher quality, better color fixation, and resistance to aging. This is the choice for those who value durability, available for Premium Line jumping saddles.
An example of a saddle offered in Elite leather is the Prestige Brillante K AS-X (dressage).
Lux - grip and durability for years
Lux is a doubled, vegetable-tanned leather produced to the highest Prestige standards to achieve the grip typical of calfskin. It is characterized by good grip and exceptional durability - this leather guides the saddle well from the start and maintains this characteristic for many seasons.
Available colors are black and tobacco. It is worth knowing that a saddle in Lux leather in the tobacco shade comes in two shades of brown. Lux is one of the most frequently chosen types of leather among regular riders because it combines comfort with resistance to intensive use. You can find it, among others, in the Prestige X-Perience MF jumping saddle or the Prestige Rubino MF.
Leather D - oiled classic with the widest availability
Leather D is oiled natural leather, valued for its softness and good aging properties. In the Polish offer, it is one item, but it is worth knowing that its type depends on the saddle line: in the Premium Line, D leather is calfskin, and in the other lines - Smart, Junior, and Classic - it is cowhide.
Calfskin is distinguished by a delicate, elegant grain, i.e., a fine surface texture and natural softness. Cowhide has a slightly thicker structure and is more affordable, while maintaining good grip and comfort. Both are produced through an oiling process that gives them a secure grip from the first ride. For this reason, D leather is the most versatile choice in the entire Prestige range - it works for riders starting their adventure with the brand and for those looking for authentic Italian leather.
You can find D leather in many models, from jumping to dressage - for example, in the Prestige Versailles MF jumping saddle or the Prestige Melody MD dressage saddle.
Cuoio - durability over softness
Cuoio is natural vegetable-tanned leather, available in smooth or printed versions. It is a material with a solid, resistant structure - less soft than calfskin, but very durable for daily use and coping well with changing conditions without special care requirements.
Cuoio appears in the Smart, Junior, and Classic lines - where the priority is the reliability of the material for years. It is a good choice for school horses and riders who value durability more than maximum softness from the first day of use.
Printed - a finish, not a separate type of leather
The question about printed leather often arises, so it's worth clarifying. Printed is not a separate type of leather, but a finishing variant - it can apply to Elite, Lux, or Cuoio. The embossed texture imprints a delicate pattern on the surface, which helps the leather better mask natural abrasions and scratches and maintains an aesthetic appearance longer. However, one important thing to know is that printed leather initially has weaker grip and needs to be broken in before it grips properly. Over time, with use, the grip improves. So, if you see the "printed" designation next to the leather name in the model description, it simply refers to its textured version.
Which leather for whom? A brief overview
| Leather | Characteristics | For whom? |
|---|---|---|
| Elite | Top-tier, soft calfskin or durable printed, London color | Riders who value softness, comfort, and elegance |
| Forte (new) | Doubled cowhide, both durable and soft, black | Intensive training, Premium Line |
| Lux | Doubled, good grip and durability, black or tobacco | Riders who train and compete regularly |
| D | Oiled: calfskin in Premium, cowhide in other lines | Widest choice, good standard, starting with Prestige |
| Cuoio | Vegetable-tanned, hard and resistant | Durability, Smart, Junior, and Classic lines |
Leather is one element - saddle fitting is another
The choice of leather affects the rider's seat and feel, but a well-chosen leather on a poorly fitted saddle will help neither you nor your horse. If you are unsure whether the saddle you are considering fits your horse's back, it is worth consulting a saddle fitting expert before purchasing.
In our Fitting Center in Ruda Śląska, we work with the horse and rider as a pair - we check the fit, evaluate the horse's movement under saddle, and help choose the model, size, and type of leather. And if you cannot come to us, we will come to you - we travel to any stable in Poland. Just contact our saddle fitting experts, and we will jointly arrange a convenient fitting date.
Summary - how to decide?
The choice of leather for a Prestige saddle comes down to what you expect from the material and how intensively you use the saddle. Each of the five types of leather has its distinct character:
- Elite - if you value maximum softness, an elegant grain, and the characteristic London color.
- Forte - if you are looking for leather ready for intensive training from the first ride and prefer black.
- Lux - if good grip and durability are most important, in black or tobacco color.
- Leather D - the most versatile option with the widest availability, good for starting with Prestige.
- Cuoio - if durability and reliability for years are paramount.
Remember, however, that even the best leather cannot replace proper saddle fitting for your horse. If you have doubts about which model to choose, take advantage of a saddle fitting consultation - it is the surest way to make the right decision for both you and your horse.
The full range of Prestige Italia saddles can be found in the collections of Prestige jumping saddles, Prestige dressage saddles, and Prestige saddles with the AS-X system.
