Series 2 RPM Racing Saddle
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Our goal is to ensure the perfect saddle fit for you and your horse.
We encourage you to reach out to discuss your specific requirements or ask any questions you may have.
We can recommend the perfect saddle sizes and types for you & your horse/s, complete our saddle fitting help form here. Alternatively, you can contact us via WhatsApp at +44 7985 604375or email hello@ainsleysaddlery.com
We’re here to assist you in any way we can.
Stirrup Attachment Options
Different racing jurisdictions have different requirements and established preferences around stirrup attachment.
The RPM can therefore be configured with either a:
Stirrup Bar
or
Fixed Stirrup Slot
This allows the saddle to be specified appropriately for its intended rider, use and market.
Final configuration should always comply with the applicable racing authority’s rules.
Lightweight by design
In racing, every gram matters – but reducing weight shouldn’t mean removing the ability to fit the horse correctly.
The RPM uses a lightweight microfibre construction to significantly reduce overall saddle weight while retaining the adjustability at the heart of the Series 2 concept.
At approximately 3.2-3.5kg, the RPM Series 2 has been developed to provide the minimal, close-contact feel expected from a racing saddle without sacrificing the ability to adapt the saddle to the horse underneath it.
What's different in the Series 2 RPM?
Racehorses are not one shape, and their shape doesn’t remain static throughout training.
The Series 2 RPM features our interchangeable gullet plate system, allowing the width of the saddle to be altered as required.
This provides greater flexibility when fitting horses of different shapes and allows the saddle fit to be reassessed as a horse develops through training, changes condition or returns to work.
Rather than expecting the horse to fit a predetermined saddle shape, the RPM gives trainers and saddle fitters greater ability to adapt the saddle around the horse.
All Saddles come pre-fitted with a medium Gullet plate, and comes with a narrow and wider option.
Rider position, preference and intended use vary considerably across racing.
The Series 2 RPM is therefore available in two saddle flap configurations:
Short Flap
A minimal racing configuration designed for riders working at shorter stirrup lengths and looking for maximum freedom with minimal bulk. Also favoured by pre-trainers and breakers.
Long Flap
Provides additional coverage for riders who prefer a longer flap or for applications where a slightly different leg position and set-up is required.
Both options retain the same underlying RPM fitting and panel technology, allowing the rider configuration to change without changing the principles of the saddle underneath.
For maximum individual adjustability, the RPM is available with Wool-Flocked panels.
Wool allows a qualified saddle fitter to alter the panel to reflect the individual horse’s shape, providing the ability to fine-tune balance and contact.
This becomes particularly valuable in racing, where a horse’s musculature and condition can change significantly throughout training.
The flocking can be reassessed and adjusted as the horse develops, allowing the saddle to develop with them.
The RPM is also available with Performance Prolite panels, providing a lightweight, lower-maintenance alternative to traditional wool flocking.
The foam construction provides consistent cushioning while retaining the slim, close-contact profile required from a racing saddle.
With no routine reflocking required, it provides a particularly practical option for busy racing yards while retaining the fitting flexibility provided by the RPM’s interchangeable gullet system.
The Series 2 RPM features a full tree, providing structure and stability throughout the saddle while supporting consisten weight distribution across the panels.
Combined with the adjustable gullet plate system and choice of panel configuration, the full tree forms the foundation of the Series 2’s more individually adaptable fitting system.
Microfibre Construction
The RPM is constructed using high-performance microfibre, selected for its combination of low weight, durability and practicality.
Easy to maintain and suited to the demands of a working racing environment, the microfibre surface is easy to wipe down, clean and disinfect between horses, helping yards maintain their established biosecurity protocols. Unlike traditional leather, it requires minimal maintenance while providing a practical lightweight solution for equipment that may be used across multiple horses.
One Saddle. Multiple Configurations.
The Series 2 RPM has been developed as a racing saddle that can be configured around both sides of the partnership – horse and rider.
Horse
- Interchangeable gullet plate system
- Choice of Wool-Flocked or Performance Prolite panels
- Designed with scapular freedom in mind
- Wither and spinal clearance
- Balanced panel contact
- Ability to adapt fit as the horse develops
Rider
- Short or long flap configuration
- Stirrup bar or fixed stirrup slot
- Lightweight, close-contact construction
- Multiple configurations for different racing markets and rider preferences
At gallop, the horse requires significant freedom through the shoulder and back.
The RPM has been developed with particular attention to scapular freedom, wither and spinal clearance, panel contact and the positioning of the saddle over the horse’s weight-bearing areas.
The objective is simple: provide the rider with a balanced and stable platform while allowing the horse underneath to move as freely as possible.
Because performance starts with movement.
RPM saddle finder
Which RPM is right for you?
Tell us what matters most for your horse, rider and yard. We’ll point you towards the best place to start.
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How much fitting flexibility do you need?
Do you want to configure the saddle around the individual horse or rider?
Series 1 RPM vs Series 2 RPM
Two lightweight racing saddles developed around the demands of the modern racehorse, rider and racing yard.
| Feature | Series 1 RPM | Series 2 RPM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Everyday exercise & trackwork | Everyday exercise, trackwork & individual fitting |
| Tree | Half tree | Full tree |
| Construction | High-performance microfibre | High-performance microfibre |
| Weight | 3.5 kg | 3.4 kg long / 3.2 kg short |
| Gullet | Standard fitting | Interchangeable gullet plate system |
| Panels | Standard RPM panel | Choice of Wool-Flocked or RPM Performance Prolite |
| Flap | Standard flap | Short or long flap |
| Stirrup attachment | Stirrup bar or fixed stirrup slot | Stirrup bar or fixed stirrup slot |
| Close-contact design | Yes | Yes |
| Scapular freedom considered | Yes | Yes |
| Wither & spinal clearance | Yes | Yes |
| Easy-clean microfibre | Yes | Yes |
| Cleaning & disinfection | Designed for regular cleaning | Designed for regular cleaning |
| Biosecurity-conscious design | Yes | Yes |
| Low-maintenance construction | Yes | Yes |
