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For decades, Prestige Italia has been a companion to the world's top equestrians - in show jumping, dressage, eventing, and endurance riding. Among dressage saddles, Brillante K AS-X holds a special place - the brand's flagship model in this discipline, chosen by both international stars and Polish Equishop representatives. In this article, we show which Prestige models are ridden by international stars - and which Polish riders promoting Prestige jumping saddles and Prestige dressage saddles stand alongside them today.
Table of Contents
- How do CPS, X-Technology, and AS-X technologies differ in Prestige Italia saddles?
- Who rides in the Prestige X-Perience saddle?
- Why do top show jumpers choose Rubino AS-X?
- Brillante K AS-X - Prestige's flagship dressage saddle
- What distinguishes the X-Meredith, X-Helen, and Melody K models?
- Which Prestige saddles are suitable for Eventing and Endurance riding?
- Summary
How do CPS, X-Technology, and AS-X technologies differ in Prestige Italia saddles?
Before we move on to specific models and riders, it's worth understanding the technologies behind their names - these are the main factors determining how the saddle behaves under the rider and on the horse's back. Prestige Italia offers three coexisting solutions - CPS, X-Technology, and AS-X - each responsible for something different.
CPS (Coccyx Protection System) is a technology primarily focused on rider comfort and protection. In the rear part of the tree, there are three injected membranes - two lateral, where the ischial tuberosities rest, and one softer one in the center. These membranes absorb pressure and protect the ischial tuberosities, coccyx, and spine of the rider, and the tree's design takes into account both male and female anatomy. The result is a deep seat and a feeling of close contact with the horse. CPS technology can be found in models such as Melody K CPS and Instinct CPS.
X-Technology is a technology based on injected membranes in the tree that provide the rider with stability and close contact with the horse, without a mechanism that moves with the back's motion. This solution is used independently - without the Adaptive System - in models such as X-Perience and X-Meredith. In this variant, the tree remains a classic, stable structure, and the membranes are solely responsible for the rider's comfort and secure position.
AS-X (Adaptive System + X-Technology) is the latest technology, introduced by Prestige Italia in 2024, to celebrate the brand's 50th anniversary, and awarded at the Spoga Horse trade fair in the Top Innovations category. It was created by combining two solutions: Adaptive System - the only cushioning system on the market that, thanks to a joint in the central part of the tree, allows it to move both axially and laterally-rotationally - and the aforementioned X-Technology, responsible for stability and close contact. Unlike a traditional tree, the AS-X tree actually follows the horse's back movement, while providing the rider with a stable position. The tree has a unisex design. AS-X technology can be found in the Rubino AS-X, Brillante AS-X, and Brillante K AS-X models.
In short: CPS focuses on rider comfort and protection, X-Technology provides stability and close contact with a classic, fixed tree, and AS-X - combining X-Technology with Adaptive System - allows the tree to follow the horse's movement while maintaining rider stability.
Who rides in the Prestige X-Perience saddle?
X-Perience is one of Prestige Italia's most recognizable jumping models, based on X-Technology - and one of the most frequently chosen by top international riders. Among its users, we find:
- Henrik von Eckermann (Sweden) - show jumping, one of the most decorated riders in the world, X-Perience saddle.
- Richard Vogel (Germany) - show jumping, top of the world rankings, X-Perience saddle.
- Hans-Dieter Dreher (Germany) - show jumping, X-Perience MD saddle.
- Rene Dittmer (Germany) - show jumping, X-Perience saddle.
- Anna Siemer (Germany) - eventing, X-Perience K saddle.
- Johanna Beckmann (Germany) - show jumping, X-Perience / Instinct CPS saddle.
The examples of Anna Siemer and Johanna Beckmann show that X-Perience is a saddle so versatile that it works for riders competing in several disciplines simultaneously - stable seating, flexible flap, and close contact with the horse work equally well in the arena and in the cross-country test. The Polish representation of the X-Perience model is built by Wojciech Wojcianiec, an Equishop representative in show jumping, who demonstrates daily that the same saddle used by the world's top riders also works on Polish courses. The model is available in the X-Perience MF deep version.
Why do top show jumpers choose Rubino AS-X?
Rubino AS-X is a model utilizing the AS-X technology described above - it combines lightweight construction with close contact, allowing the tree to follow the horse's movement while the rider maintains a stable position. These are features valued by riders competing in the world's most challenging courses:
- Daniel Deusser (Germany) - show jumping, multiple national team representative, Rubino AS-X saddle.
- Sophie Hinners (Germany) - show jumping, Rubino AS-X saddle.
- Sandra Auffarth (Germany) - eventing, Rubino AS-X / Philosophy saddle.
- Alex Hua Tian (China) - eventing, Brillante K AS-X / Rubino AS-X / X-D2 K Free saddle.
In Poland, the same model is ridden by Equishop representatives Jarosław Kozarowski and Damian Ostręga - both competing daily in show jumping. The model is available in the Rubino MF deep and Rubino MD semi-deep versions.
Brillante K AS-X - Prestige's flagship dressage saddle
Brillante K AS-X is one of the most recognizable dressage models in Prestige Italia's history - and today, the brand's true flagship product in this discipline, based on the AS-X technology described above. The letter K in the name signifies a mono flap construction. It is this construction that is responsible for the close contact with the horse and precision, which riders at the highest level of sport value. In international arenas, Brillante K AS-X is ridden by, among others:
- Sarah Rao (China) - dressage, Brillante K AS-X saddle.
- Alex Hua Tian (China) - eventing, Brillante K AS-X saddle (as well as Rubino AS-X, X-D2 K Free).
In Poland, this model is represented by female and male riders promoting Equishop: Aleksandra Szulc, Gabriela Jaworska, and Olga Safronova, as well as the entire Kowalski family - Tomasz Kowalski, Izabela Kowalska, Filip Kowalski, and Małgorzata Kowalska - forming one of the most recognizable equestrian teams promoting the brand in Poland. It is Brillante K AS-X that is today Prestige Italia's calling card in Polish dressage.
What distinguishes the X-Meredith and X-Helen models?
X-Meredith and X-Helen are models named after the riders Prestige Italia collaborated with in their development - Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (Germany, show jumping) and Helen Langehanenberg (Germany, dressage). Both still ride in their signature models. The group of riders using X-Meredith in show jumping includes:
- Philipp Weishaupt (Germany) - show jumping, X-Meredith saddle.
- Giacomo Bassi (Italy) - show jumping, X-Meredith saddle.
- Marco Kutscher (Germany) - show jumping, X-Meredith saddle.
- Christian Hess (Germany) - show jumping, X-Meredith saddle.
The X-Helen model in dressage is chosen by:
- Maxime Collard (France) - dressage, X-Helen K saddle.
- Michele George (Belgium) - para-dressage, X-Helen saddle.
- Kristian Würtz Green (Denmark) - dressage, Melody K MD CPS / X-Helen FS saddle.
Which Prestige saddles are suitable for Eventing and Endurance riding?
- Chris Burton (Australia) - eventing / show jumping, Chris Burton K saddle (signature model).
- Alex Hua Tian (China) - eventing, Brillante K AS-X / Rubino AS-X / X-D2 K Free saddle.
- Costanza Laliscia (Italy) - endurance riding, DX Endurance saddle.
Summary
- CPS protects the rider and provides a deep seat, X-Technology ensures stability with a classic tree, and AS-X combines both these features with a movable tree that follows the horse.
- X-Perience (X-Technology) and Rubino AS-X are jumping models chosen by world leaders (von Eckermann, Deusser, Vogel) and Polish Equishop representatives.
- Brillante K AS-X is Prestige's flagship mono flap dressage model, ridden by stars from China as well as the Polish Kowalski family, Aleksandra Szulc, Gabriela Jaworska, and Olga Safronova.
- X-Meredith and X-Helen bear the names and choices of the riders who co-created these models and still compete in them.
- Chris Burton K and DX Endurance show that Prestige Italia designs saddles adapted to the specific needs of each discipline.
Choosing a saddle used by a world champion is just the beginning - the key is to match the model to the specific horse's build and the rider's physique. That's why the Equishop team offers professional fitting of Prestige Italia saddles directly at your stable. And if you can't come to us, we'll come to you - we travel to every stable in Poland. Check out the full range of Prestige Italia saddles and models from the Prestige AS-X line.
Source: official Prestige Italia representatives database; own elaboration by Equishop.
