Letter from Mariëlle Blankestijn

"I would like to inform you about  my progress since I’m riding with the saddle you designed for me. Nothing but  positive experiences. First, the saddle is safe, which was important because in the past I lost my balance and  tumbled off. The straps with which my legs are fixed have been loosened. Everything works  in that respect. Second the goal I set myself to be able to gallop again  (despite my disability) was achieved 2 weeks ago. You promised me that I would  love the saddle. I tell you indeed I love it and you can imagine that I am over the moon!!"

Love, Mariëlle Blankestijn from the Netherlands (spinal cord leasia th.  12)

DK Saddlery is proud to sponsor Mette Rosencrantz!

Mette is from Sweden where she was twice a member of the Swedish National Dressage Team. She was the youngest rider ever allowed to enter Stromsolm, Sweden’s prestigious school for instructors, and eventually became the head dressage instructor there in 1980. She also has a University degree in Physical Education instruction.

Mette is successfully competing at the Grand Prix Level and rode in the finals at Gladstone in June, 2006. In April, 2007, she won the $25,000 Grand Prix Invitational in Las Vegas riding Basquewille in a DK Freedom saddle!

Read more about Mette on her website at www.metterosencrantz.com

Western Saddle

Danny Kroetch has over 15 years of experience selling, fitting and designing top saddles for dressage and jumping. He brought his experience fitting over 2,000 saddles a year to the University of Utrecht in Holland where he was asked to assist in the research of saddle fitting in sport horses.

In an exciting new turn Danny Kroetch has brought his extensive experience to the world of western riding. The technology Danny developed through his research and experience is now available to those participating in the western sports including, reining, cutting, barrel racing, and so on.

This fully custom saddle incorporates well tested and proven technologies used in English riding for years and brings all the benefits!

Jade Deter and Mastermind

Jade Deter and Mastermind won all three classes (individual, team and freestyle) at the 2007 CN North American Junior Young Riders' Championships held at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia. Jade rides in a DK Freedom Saddle.

Rider Measuring Instructions

Please read the rider measuring instruction for details on how to send us your measurements.

Rider Measuring Instructions

Canadian Para-Equestrian Team

The Canadian Para-Equestrian Team placed 11 out of 34 nations competing at the 2007 Para-Equestrian Dressage World Championships, held July 18-22 at Hartpury College, UK. The Canadian Team had four riders riding in DK Saddles designed by Danny Kroetch.

Karen Pavicic with Lionheart

Traveling as reserve team member is Karen Pavicic with Lionheart, a 10-year-old Hannoverian gelding owned by Pavicic. Making the long trip from their native British Columbia in order to participate in the final selection trials, the pair had to accustom quickly to the heat and humidity that prevailed during the trials. “I was extremely pleased with our performance during the trials,” said Pavicic. “It was an intense competition and I am pleased to be joining the rest of my teammates in Brazil and look forward to cheering them on.” For her freestyle, Pavicic chose music from “The Sound of Music” as well as “Cabaret.”

Karen competes in the DK Freedom saddle.

DK Riders

2006 NAYRC team won team gold and Individual Gold Medalist, Pia Fortmuller rode in a DK Saddle!

Tammy Phillips, one of Canadas top Grand Prix riders is now riding in a DK Liberty.

Canadian Hunter/Jumper trainer and rider, Gaia Parker is now riding in a DK Liberty.

Rider Fitting & Horse Fitting

Example Photos for
rider fitting

Example Photos for
horse fitting

Mette Rosencrantz Wins the $25,000 Grand Prix Invitational

Mette Rosencrantz won the $25,000 Grand Prix Invitational riding Basquewille in a DK Freedom saddle at the Las Vegas World Cup April 20, 2007.

July 2006 News

Danny was invited by the Netherlands National Mounted Police to deliver a presentation on the correct fitting of saddles to the officers and riding instructors. The group has since decided to migrate all of their riders to DK saddles over the next year. If you are in Holland look for mounted police in DK Saddles!

DK Saddlery is proud to announce the new Liberty saddle. This non-flap jump saddle is taking the jumper ring by storm with rave reviews... also doing well is the new cut back saddle photo's of both coming soon.

DK Saddlery will be releasing a new Western saddle with a fully adjustable tree and panel system, look for this new product in late 2006.

Dressage Symposium with Debbie McDonald and Klaus Balkanhol

Danny was invited to be the guest speaker during the recent dressage symposium with Debbie McDonald and Klaus Balkanhol. The symposium was held on October 7-9 and many top dressage riders and enthusiasts were in attendance.

Beatrice Ferrer-Salat

Danny has been invited to come and fit Beatrice Ferrer-Salat in Spain. Beatrice met Danny in Holland where he spends a lot of time at the Bartels Academy and University of Utrecht sharing his knowledge on saddle fit.

Evi Strasser

We welcome Evi Strasser as the latest elite rider to be riding in the Freedom saddle!

Donated Freedom Saddle to Equivents

DK Saddlery was happy to donate a Freedom saddle to Equivents event coordinators, to be raffled off. The draw will be made October 8th, 2005 at the Klause Balkenhol and Debbie MacDonald clinic. Good Luck!

Completely Adjustable Western Saddle

DK Saddlery will soon be offering a completely adjustable western saddle! Danny had been applying his fitting philosophy and technology developed for English saddles to the western design. He is proud and excited to offer this alternative to traditional non-adjustable western saddles.

World Cup in Las Vegas and the Rolex in Kentucky

Danny was thrilled with the response to his Freedom saddle both at the World Cup in Las Vegas and the Rolex in Kentucky. Riders were lined up outside the booth to have the opportunity to sit in this wonderful piece of equipment!

Saddle Fitting Clinics in England

Danny has been invited to do saddle fitting clinics in England which he is very excited about.

The Horse Event in Deurne

Joep Bartels has invited Danny to The Horse Event in Deurne to display his saddles for competitors to see. He has also arranged for Danny to deliver a lecture on saddle fitting at a large symposium for veterinarians.

January 2005 News

Danny has been invited to present saddle fitting clinics in England, he looks forward to meeting everyone there!

Danny is please to have two articles published in the Dutch horse magazine The Hoefslag, it is exciting to be able to reach so many riders with his knowledge and ideas.

Danny is excited to be able to attend two large shows this year and offer demonstrations and information to those competing and watching. Watch for the DK Saddlery booth at

• World Cup in Las Vegas
• Rolex in Kentucky

Danny Kroetch and everyone at DK Saddlery would like to wish all of their clients and happy and safe New year in the saddle.

We are happy to have EC Level III coach, Karen Pavicic, from Vancouver riding in the DK Freedom.

October 2004 News

Danny has been invited by Utrecht University to start the second phase of the saddle fit research starting December 2004.

April 2004 News

Congratulations to Leslie Reid and her horse Mark on making the Canadian Olympic Dressage team bound for Athens! We are proud to have Leslie performing in a Freedom Saddle!

A great reference from one of our saddle fitting clinics.

"It's amazing to watch the horses change after their saddles have been made comfortable, and it's fun to talk to the riders as they realize at least half of their horse's behavior or movement problems were related to pain from their saddle. It was also a real kick to watch riders sit in Danny's Freedom saddle for the first time. Apparently it's a religious experience, as without fail, their first utterances were "HOLY CRAP" or "OH MY GOD." Kidding aside, watching Danny work and listening to what he has to say is very educational, and watching horse after horse come closer to achieving his/her potential was inspirational."

Eric Gum

March 2004 News

While Danny was on his most recent trip to Europe, 4 separate magazines did interviews/ articles on Danny and his saddles and saddle fitting.

The first magazine is called THE BIT and did an article on proper saddle fit and then as well had Danny do an "Ask The Expert" question about a horse with an improperly fitted saddle and how much the horse improved once Danny fit a saddle properly to the horse.

The second magazine is called The Hoefslag and did an interview/article on Danny which will be coming out in April.

The third magazine is called Paard and Sport and did an article on proper saddle fit and "The Circle of Influence."

The fourth magazine is called Horse International and they did an interview with Danny that will be appearing in one of their upcoming issues.

February 2004 News

Mette Rosencrantz, two time Swedish Olympic Team member is now riding in a Freedom saddle. Mette is based at Mill Creek Equestrian Centre in California and teaches clinics around North America.

Lilo Fore is now riding in a Freedom!  Lilo Fore has her FEI "I" judges license and has judged many CDI-W shows, qualifying international shows and USET Selection Trials. Lilo is an examiner for the USDF Sporthorse breeding program, as well as a sporthorse breeder herself. She has trained both horses and riders nationally and internationally. 

Willy Arts owner of DG Bar Ranch is now riding in a Freedom Saddle. Willy was recently featured on the January, 2004 cover of Dressage Today and is a well respected breeder of Dutch Warmblood horses.

Danny has been invited to present at the California Dressage Societies' Symposium in Sacramento, California in February, 2004.He will be joining a list of very high profile presenters including Anky van Grunsven and Tineke Bartles. Danny will be discussing the Circle of influence as it relates to saddle fit and performance. Danny has become renown for his theories on saddle fit and the interrelationship with other aspects of horse care, he is in demand internationally as a speaker on the subject.

January 2004 News

Danny has been invited to speak at the 2004 Horse World Expo in Maryland. He will be discussing the circle of influence and how it effects saddle fit for both horse and rider.

December 2003 News

Danny spent the first part of this month traveling through, Germany, Belgium and Holland. He is in the process of developing a saddle-fitting program in conjunction with the University of Utrecht and Tineke Bartels.

Danny will be featured in upcoming articles in BCM's top magazines; Hoefslag and Horse international. The articles will feature his work in saddle fitting and the new Freedom saddle. BCM is the leading consulting firm and service provider in the equestrian world and publishes 5 equestrian magazines
and two equestrian yearbooks.