Balanced Saddle Fitting - Our Story


Saddle Fitting Service & New Saddles for Sale

Balanced Saddle Fitting provides a well respected saddle fitting service and offers new saddles for sale from a wide range of saddle brands as well as being the New Zealand Agent for top British and Italian Brands Erreplus, Albion Saddlemakers and GFS. We are passionate about bringing you a range of top saddle brands, and a world class saddle-fitting service.

Chris Barnett, Saddle Fitter in Auckland

As one of New Zealand’s leading saddle fitters with over 17 years’ experience Chris believes that riding is a partnership, with the saddle being the connection between horse and rider. He understands how critical a saddle is in ensuring that both horse and rider are totally comfortable; to allow them to perform to their best.

Chris is acknowledged as being able to achieve great results for horse and rider through his attention to detail, working with the balance of the rider and the well-being of the horse.

Sound saddle solutions for you and your horse

Balanced Saddle Fitting grew out of HorseSports to become a separate, dedicated saddle fitting business. 

Balanced Saddle Fitting will come to you for saddle fitting in Auckland. Chris will come to your Auckland property or riding club, or you can bring your horse to us in South Auckland. We run saddle fitting clinics in other regions when we have sufficient requests. 

Premium handcrafted new saddles for sale

We are proud to be Agents for ErreplusAlbion Saddlemakers and GFS in New Zealand, and stock trusted new saddle brands like Amerigo, Pessoa, Trainers, Bates and Wintec. With almost 60 styles to choose from, we will always recommend the best new saddle from our wide range to ensure the very best fit with you, your horse, and your budget. Browse our new saddles for sale.

Sponsored Riders

Meet our Sponsored Riders here - we are very proud to support some fantastic riders in their chosen fields of dressage, show jumping and eventing. We also supported the Dressage Waitemata Championships 2020.

A genuine passion for horses & quality saddles

Balanced Saddle Fitting Owners, Chris and Miriam, have both been involved with horses, riding and competing for many years (Eventing, Dressage, Show jumping and Show Hunter). 

Chris has been a rider since he was seven, is qualified in Advanced Equine Studies and has been involved in the equine industry all his working life. Chris competed in ESNZ Showjumping and enjoyed his time as a registered show jump course builder. Now largely riding youngsters, or helping Miriam exercise their dressage horses, his passion is saddle fitting.

Miriam is your main point of contact for Balanced Saddle Fitting. She has completed introductory saddle fitting courses and has also trained with Albion. Miriam also competes in ESNZ dressage and has a background in Equine Sports Massage, qualified with the NZESMA. She is passionate about people developing skills and knowledge relating to their horse’s welfare.

With many years of experience between them (including working at pre-training facilities, stud farms, as well as breeding and starting their own young horses) Chris and Miriam possess broad knowledge and are not afraid to consult their expansive range of colleagues and associates to find the right information. 

"We look forward to hearing from you soon." - Chris & Miriam.