What is the GFS Monarch Apex GP?
Who are GFS Monarch?
GFS, otherwise known as Fieldhouse Saddles, is a British saddle brand. Within their range, GFS offer the GFS Monarch, GFS Transition, GFS PX, and GFS Premier saddles. In this post, we're going to be talking about the GFS Monarch Apex GP saddle, so you can decide if this is the right GP saddle for you and your horse.
What is the GFS Monarch Apex GP?
The GFS Monarch Apex GP saddle is a versatile saddle that adapts to your needs. The Apex GP is a testament to the innovation and quality that equestrians have come to expect from GFS Monarch. Its versatility, comfort, and craftsmanship make it an excellent choice for riders who want a saddle that can handle a variety of riding styles.
Riders know that comfort is key during long hours in the saddle, and the Apex GP features a comfortable seat and knee rolls, designed to provide the rider with a secure and comfortable position, ensuring an enjoyable rider experience.
Design and Style
The GFS Apex General Purpose saddle is meticulously designed to provide optimal comfort and support for both horse and rider. It features a deep seat with a medium twist, allowing the rider to maintain a secure position while still enabling freedom of movement. The panels are wool-flocked, ensuring a customisable fit that can be adjusted to suit the horse's unique conformation.
Crafted from high-quality European leather, the GFS Apex General Purpose saddle boasts durability and longevity. The leather is soft, yet sturdy, providing a comfortable feel without compromising on strength.
GFS Monarch have created this saddle with durability in mind. The Apex GP features reinforced stitching and durable hardware, as well as siliconised flock, which is lower maintenance than traditional wool flocking and prevents the flock from balling up and creating lumps.
In addition to its functional design, the Apex GP saddle also boasts an elegant and timeless aesthetic. The rich European leather, combined with meticulous craftsmanship, gives the saddle a sophisticated look that is sure to turn heads in the equestrian community.
Whether you're competing in a dressage arena or hitting the trials, this sale will make a stylish statement.
How versatile is the GFS Apex GP?
An a general purpose saddle, the GFS Apex is designed to excel in various equestrian disciplines. Whether you enjoy dressage, jumping or just simply hacking out, this saddle offers versatility that allows you to seamlessly transition between different activities. Its forward-cut flap design accommodates riders who prefer a slightly shorter stirrup length for jumping, or a longer length for flatwork.
The saddle's medium-deep seat provides stability during jumps while still allowing the rider to maintain a correct position for dressage movements. Additionally, the adjustable knee blocks offer customisable support based on individual preferences and riding style.
The girthing arrangement on the Apex GP allows for further adjustability and stability, with the option to move the first strap (view image below) onto the point ring (front) or balance ring (back).
Who are they suitable for?
With extensive research and development, the Apex GP saddle has been designed to accommodate horses with a high wither. GFS Monarch feature longer points, and a deeper rear gusset, as well as additional front gussets to give increased options to obtain an accurate fit, and the slight drop in the panel also helps support the saddle to give adequate clearance.
A deeper rear gusset will help to balance the saddle on a high wither horse, paired with the larger front gussets which help to lift the saddle up and off of the horses back to provide sufficient clearance of the withers.
The Apex GP can also work well on horses with muscle atrophy (dips) behind the shoulder/wither.
As an General Purpose, also known as an All Purpose, saddle, the GFS Monarch Apex GP saddle really does work well as an all round saddle.
Adjustable Gullet Bars
GFS Monarch offer a range of adjustable gullet saddles, and the Apex GP is one of them! The Apex GP allows for gullet bars from Narrow Medium to XW and you can shop them here.
Try a GFS Monarch Saddle - 5 Day UK Trial
Learn more about how saddles should fit...
If you are a horse owner or rider and would like to learn more about saddle fitting, and how the saddle can impact your horses performance and welfare, click on the link below.
