Jessica Skripol & Zixten

Professional rider Jessica Skripol rides and trains at the FEI level from her base in Texas. Her personal horse, Zixten, is an exceptionally talented and sensitive athlete who presented unique challenges throughout his development. As Jessica worked to bring out his full potential, she developed a deep understanding of how he moved, felt, and communicated underneath her. 

As Zixten progressed through the levels and developed new strength and musculature, it was a bareback ride that gave Jessica an important realization: his saddles were restricting his shoulder movement. After trying saddle after saddle without finding the right solution, she ultimately reached the point where she would rather ride bareback than compromise Zixten’s natural movement and expression. 

Then, in 2025, she found EQ and says:

“The EQ difference was almost immediate. From the first few rides, we suddenly had these huge, expressive gaits and significantly more freedom through his back, and I had become convinced that we would never find a saddle that allowed this to happen!”

Riding in her EQ still gave Jessica the connection she loved about riding bareback.

“I still felt the same freedom and connection to his back and movement that I had become accustomed to riding bareback.”

We checked in with Jessica and Zixten to see how they're doing a year later, and they still love their EQ saddle as they progress through the levels of dressage together. Her advice to other riders searching for the right saddle?

“My EQ saddle completely changed the way I think about saddle fit. I had gotten to the point where I was willing to ride my horse bareback indefinitely because I didn’t believe I would find a saddle that could give him the same freedom. Don’t compromise—EQ has shown me that you can have both.”