A famous 1962 anecdote - Nelson Pessoa trying a salt-soaked saddle after a horse's swim in Nice - inspired his work on lighter close-contact jumping saddles. Through late-1960s design projects and subsequent commercial development, Pessoa saddles gained a reputation for balance and fit. The brand has collaborated with champion riders and continues to influence competition saddle design today.

A soaked saddle, a new idea

In the summer of 1962 Nelson Pessoa was competing at the Nice Horse Show when a memorable episode changed saddle design for a generation. An American show jumper's mount - reported as the chestnut thoroughbred "Untouchable" ridden by Kathy Kusner - bolted into the Baie des Anges and took a long swim, leaving its saddle sodden with salt water. The next day Pessoa tried that wet saddle, found it lighter and shaped like a steeplechase model, and noticed it seemed to conform to his position as he rode. That experience is widely told as the seed of his later close-contact saddles. [[CHECK: 1962 Nice incident, horse name, Kathy Kusner, Baie des Anges]]

From experiment to a saddlery tradition

Pessoa steadily refined that early idea of a lighter, closer-contact jumping saddle. In the late 1960s he worked on modern jumping designs; accounts say the Hermes Saddlery Company invited him to design a jumping saddle in 1968, and that he later launched the Pessoa saddle name around 1971. These milestones mark the transition from experiment to a commercial saddle line. [[CHECK: 1968 Hermes collaboration, 1971 trademark/brand launch]]

Nelson Pessoa's focus was on balance, close contact and a design that supported the rider's classical jumping seat. Over decades riders at the top level and amateurs alike have praised the fit and feel of Pessoa models for horse and rider. The brand's reputation grew through competition use and through input from champion riders. The craft and handwork behind a well-made saddle are as important to Pessoa's philosophy as its performance.

Champion riders and design input

Several leading riders have worked with Pessoa on signature or collaborative models. Notable examples frequently cited include a Blyth Tait-linked event saddle and dressage models associated with Anky van Grunsven. Those collaborations reflect the brand's pattern of developing saddles with elite riders to meet specific competition needs. [[CHECK: exact product names and dates for Blyth Tait and Anky van Grunsven collaborations]]

Today's legacy

Today the Pessoa name remains associated with close-contact jumping and competition saddles. Riders who value a balanced, forward jumping position still choose Pessoa-style designs, whether in original leather constructions or modern production runs. As with any tack purchase, fit for both horse and rider - and professional fitting - remains essential.
  1. Confirm the 1962 Nice Horse Show incident details (date, location Baie des Anges, horse named "Untouchable", rider Kathy Kusner).
  2. Verify Hermes Saddlery involvement in 1968 and any specific design brief with Nelson Pessoa.
  3. Confirm the year Nelson Pessoa launched the Pessoa saddle trademark/brand (reported circa 1971).
  4. Verify exact product names, dates, and nature of collaborations with Blyth Tait and Anky van Grunsven.

FAQs about Pessoa Saddles

Did a specific incident in Nice start the Pessoa saddle story?
Yes. The commonly told origin is that in 1962 Nelson Pessoa tried a salt-soaked saddle after a horse swam in the Bay of Angels at Nice; the experience led him to explore lighter, closer-contact models. Primary source verification is recommended. [[CHECK: 1962 Nice incident details]]
When did Pessoa start producing saddles commercially?
Accounts place Pessoa's commercial saddle development in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with reports of a 1968 design request from Hermes Saddlery and a Pessoa trademark or brand launch around 1971. Exact dates should be verified. [[CHECK: 1968 and 1971 dates]]
Have top riders influenced Pessoa saddle designs?
Yes. The brand has been associated with collaborative models developed with elite riders such as Blyth Tait and Anky van Grunsven, reflecting a practice of tailoring designs to competition needs. Verify specific product names and timelines. [[CHECK: collaboration product details]]
Are Pessoa saddles still used today?
Yes. The Pessoa name remains linked to close-contact jumping saddles and is still chosen by riders seeking a forward, balanced jumping position. Fit and professional saddle fitting remain important.