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Kieffer Saddle - Piet Dressage Drop Panel - Size 1
Kieffer Piet Dressage Drop Panel Saddle – Premium Adjustable Leather Dressage Saddle
Exceptional Rider Comfort, German Craftsmanship & Advanced Drop Panel Technology
Experience premium dressage saddle design with the Kieffer Piet Dressage Drop Panel Saddle, a beautifully crafted leather saddle combining rider comfort, traditional styling and specialised saddle-fitting technology.
Named after Piet , the successful dressage horse ridden by German Olympic dressage rider Ulla Salzgeber, this saddle reflects Kieffer's commitment to quality, performance and thoughtful equestrian design.
The Kieffer Piet features a comfortable half-deep seat, softly padded saddle flaps, high knee rolls and a flexible V-shaped girthing system.
Its innovative wool-filled Drop Panel design provides additional contact area and panel volume behind the horse's shoulder compared with a conventional standard panel.
This makes the Piet Drop Panel particularly worth considering for horses with hollow areas behind the shoulders, higher withers or certain topline conformations where additional panel support may be beneficial.
Featuring Kieffer's Exclusive adjustable saddle tree, the Piet offers professional fitting flexibility while providing a supportive riding position for dressage training and competition.
Available Seat Sizes: Size 1 (17 inches) and Size 2 (18 inches).
Colour: Black.
Key Features & Benefits
- Premium Kieffer Craftsmanship – Quality leather dressage saddle from an established German equestrian brand.
- Specialised Drop Panels – Increased contact area and volume behind the horse's shoulders.
- Wool-Filled Gusseted Panels – Can be professionally adjusted through re-flocking.
- Exclusive Adjustable Saddle Tree – Gullet plate allows professional width adjustment.
- Comfortable Half-Deep Seat – Supports a balanced riding position without an excessively restrictive feel.
- Softly Padded Saddle Flaps – Designed to improve rider comfort during extended schooling sessions.
- One-Piece Leather Seat & Flaps – Smooth construction designed to minimise pressure from seams.
- High Knee Rolls – Provide support for a stable dressage leg position.
- Flexible V-Shaped Girthing System – Designed to support balanced girth tension and saddle stability.
- Long Girth Straps – Suitable for use with an appropriately fitted short dressage girth.
- Traditional Black Leather Finish – Elegant styling for everyday schooling and competition.
- Two Seat Sizes – Available in 17-inch and 18-inch options.
Designed with Dressage Riders in Mind
The Kieffer Piet is named after Ulla Salzgeber's successful dressage horse, Piet.
This model combines a traditional dressage silhouette with comfort-focused construction.
The seat and saddle flaps are made using one piece of soft leather, helping reduce seams and potential pressure areas.
The softly padded flaps provide additional comfort during extended training sessions, while the high knee rolls help support the rider's leg position.
Whether you are schooling at home, developing dressage movements or competing, the Piet offers a refined combination of comfort and support.
Advanced Kieffer Drop Panel Technology
One of the most important features of the Kieffer Piet is its specialised Drop Panel design.
Compared with standard saddle panels, Kieffer's Drop Panel provides a larger contact area and increased panel volume behind the shoulder.
This design may help improve contact in areas where a conventional saddle panel would otherwise leave a gap.
Benefits of Drop Panels
- Increased contact area behind the shoulder
- Additional panel volume in the front section
- Greater scope for professional flocking adjustments
- Potential to improve panel contact on certain horse back shapes
- Useful for horses with hollow areas behind the shoulder
- May suit some horses with higher withers or a slightly dipped topline
Important: Drop Panels are not automatically suitable for every horse. Saddle fit must be assessed individually.
Ideal for Horses with Hollow Areas Behind the Shoulders
Some horses have less developed musculature behind the shoulder, creating hollow areas where standard saddle panels may not maintain even contact.
The Piet Drop Panel is designed to offer additional support in this region.
This makes the saddle worth considering for horses with:
- Hollow areas behind the shoulder
- Reduced trapezius muscle development
- Prominent or higher withers
- Certain slightly dipped toplines
- Saddle-fitting requirements that benefit from additional front-panel volume
A qualified saddle fitter should assess the horse's overall conformation, wither clearance, back length and panel contact before recommending this saddle.
Wool-Filled Gusseted Panels
The Kieffer Piet Drop Panel features gusseted panels filled with wool.
Unlike moulded foam panels, wool-filled panels can be professionally adjusted to improve contact and balance.
Benefits of Wool-Filled Panels
- Allow professional re-flocking
- Provide fitting flexibility
- Can be adjusted as the horse's shape changes
- Help fine-tune panel contact
- Support individualised saddle fitting
Re-flocking should only be performed by a qualified saddle fitter or saddler.
Kieffer Exclusive Adjustable Saddle Tree
The Piet features Kieffer's Exclusive saddle tree with an adjustable gullet plate.
This allows a qualified professional to alter the tree width within the manufacturer's permitted adjustment range.
Why an Adjustable Tree Matters
A horse's shape can change with age, training, weight and muscle development.
An adjustable tree may help accommodate appropriate changes in width without immediately requiring a replacement saddle.
However, tree width is only one aspect of saddle fit.
The tree profile, panel shape, saddle balance and horse's back length must also be considered.
Comfortable Half-Deep Dressage Seat
The Piet features a half-deep seat designed to provide a supportive but relatively open riding position.
This may appeal to riders who prefer some freedom of movement rather than the more enclosed feeling of a very deep dressage seat.
The seat works together with the padded flaps and high knee rolls to help maintain a balanced riding position.
High Knee Rolls for Rider Support
The Piet features high knee rolls positioned on the saddle flaps.
These are designed to help support the rider's leg during dressage schooling.
The knee rolls complement the half-deep seat, offering a combination of security and freedom of movement.
Softly Padded One-Piece Leather Construction
The seat and saddle flaps are constructed from one piece of soft leather.
This design helps reduce seams in areas that come into contact with the rider.
The padded flaps add comfort during longer riding sessions and provide a refined feel.
Flexible V-Shaped Girthing System
The Piet incorporates a flexible V-shaped girthing system with long girth straps.
This system is designed to distribute girth tension through the saddle's attachment points and support stable positioning.
The appropriate girth shape and length should be determined during professional saddle fitting.
Suitable Riding Activities
The Kieffer Piet Drop Panel is designed for:
- Dressage training
- Flatwork schooling
- Arena riding
- Dressage competition, subject to current equipment rules
- Professional and amateur dressage riders
- Horses requiring specialised panel contact
Available Sizes
| Kieffer Seat Size | Approximate Seat Measurement |
|---|---|
| Size 1 | 17 inches |
| Size 2 | 18 inches |
The correct seat size depends on rider proportions, riding position and individual preference.
Colour Options
Standard Colour: Black
Black/Tobacco is listed by an Australian retailer as a special-order colour combination.
Confirm special-order availability before advertising additional colours.
Kieffer Piet Drop Panel vs Standard Piet Dressage Saddle
| Feature | Piet Drop Panel | Standard Piet |
|---|---|---|
| Seat | Half-deep | Half-deep |
| Tree | Exclusive adjustable | Exclusive adjustable |
| Panel design | Drop Panel | Standard panel |
| Additional front-panel volume | Yes | Standard volume |
| Wool-filled panels | Yes | Yes |
| Professional re-flocking | Yes | Yes |
| Knee rolls | High | High |
| Girthing | Flexible V-shaped | Flexible V-shaped |
| Best considered for | Certain horses with hollows behind shoulders | Horses suited to conventional panel contact |
The Drop Panel version offers additional panel volume and contact area, but the best choice depends on the horse's individual shape and professional fitting assessment.
Saddle Care Instructions
To maintain your Kieffer Piet saddle:
- Remove dust, sweat and dirt after riding.
- Clean with a suitable leather saddle cleaner.
- Wipe gently using a soft cloth or sponge.
- Allow the leather to dry naturally.
- Apply a suitable leather conditioner as required.
- Avoid excessive oil or conditioner.
- Store on a supportive saddle rack.
- Protect from prolonged moisture, direct sunlight and extreme heat.
- Inspect stitching, girth straps and other fittings regularly.
- Arrange professional saddle-fit checks and re-flocking when required.
Professional Saddle Fitting Is Essential
A correctly fitted saddle is important for horse comfort and rider balance.
Before purchasing, consider:
- Horse's wither shape and height
- Back length and topline
- Shoulder movement
- Tree width and shape
- Panel contact and balance
- Girth position
- Rider seat size
- Horse's current muscle development
We recommend professional saddle fitting before purchasing and regular reassessment as your horse's condition changes.
Frequently Asked Questions – Kieffer Piet Drop Panel
What is the Kieffer Piet Drop Panel Dressage Saddle?
The Kieffer Piet Drop Panel is a premium leather dressage saddle featuring a half-deep seat, high knee rolls, adjustable Exclusive tree and wool-filled Drop Panels designed to provide additional contact behind the horse's shoulders.
What is the benefit of a Drop Panel dressage saddle?
A Drop Panel provides additional panel volume and contact area compared with a standard panel. It may be useful for certain horses with hollow areas behind the shoulders or higher withers.
Is the Kieffer Piet suitable for horses with high withers?
The Drop Panel design may suit some higher-withered horses, particularly where additional support is needed behind the shoulder. Professional fitting is required to confirm suitability.
Can the Kieffer Piet Drop Panel be re-flocked?
Yes. Its wool-filled gusseted panels can be professionally re-flocked to help adjust saddle balance and contact.
Does the Kieffer Piet have an adjustable gullet?
Yes. The Exclusive tree includes an adjustable gullet plate. Adjustment should be performed by a suitably qualified professional.
Is the Kieffer Piet a deep-seat saddle?
The Piet is described as having a half-deep seat, offering a balance between support and freedom of movement.
What is the difference between the Kieffer Piet and Kieffer Brugge?
The Piet Drop Panel features a half-deep seat and wool-filled panels with additional volume behind the shoulders.
The Brugge is designed for certain broad, sturdy and comparatively short-backed horses and features extra-wide moulded foam panels.
The appropriate model depends on horse conformation and professional saddle fitting.
What sizes does the Kieffer Piet come in?
The Australian distributor lists Size 1 (17 inches) and Size 2 (18 inches).
Is the Kieffer Piet suitable for dressage competitions?
The Piet is a dressage saddle suitable for consideration for competition use. Riders should check current competition equipment regulations.
Where can I buy a Kieffer Piet Drop Panel Saddle in Australia?
Pet Essentials supplies equestrian products and saddlery online in Australia. Visit www.petessentials.com.au to enquire about the Kieffer Piet Dressage Drop Panel Saddle, available seat sizes and ordering arrangements.
Product Specifications
Brand: Kieffer
Model: Piet Dressage Drop Panel
Product Type: Leather Dressage Saddle
Seat Style: Half-Deep
Saddle Tree: Kieffer Exclusive with Adjustable Gullet Plate
Panel Type: Drop Panel
Panel Construction: Gusseted, Wool-Filled
Re-flocking: Professionally Adjustable
Saddle Flaps: Softly Padded Leather
Seat & Flaps: One-Piece Soft Leather Construction
Knee Rolls: High Knee Rolls on Saddle Flaps
Girth Straps: Long
Girthing System: Flexible V-Shaped
Standard Colour: Black
Special-Order Colour: Black/Tobacco, Subject to Availability
Seat Sizes: Size 1 (17") and Size 2 (18")
Australian Distributor Product Code: SAKPIETDP
Primary Use: Dressage, Flatwork and Arena Schooling
