Paula Jeffery – Elevating Equine Performance Through Saddle Fit and Biomechanics
Registered Qualified Saddlefitter with the UK Society of Master Saddlers in Australia
When it comes to elevating equestrian performance and welfare, few professionals have contributed as profoundly or as passionately as Paula Jeffery.
A Registered Qualified Saddlefitter with the UK Society of Master Saddlers based in Australia, Paula Jeffery has dedicated her life to solving one of the most overlooked yet critical issues in equine sport: the connection between saddle fit, rider balance, and horse biomechanics.
A Deep-Rooted Passion Born from the Dressage Arena
Before becoming one of Australia’s most respected saddle fitting experts, Paula Jeffery spent over 25 years competing and coaching at the highest levels of FEI dressage. Her career took her from the training stables of Australia to competitive circuits across the UK and Europe.
Along the way, Paula Jeffery noticed a troubling pattern, horses struggling to perform, not from lack of willingness or talent, but from pain and restriction caused by poor saddle fit. The riders, too, were often unaware of how saddle design was affecting their balance, comfort, and communication with the horse.
It wasn’t just anecdotal. The disconnect between horse and rider was consistent, frustrating, and most importantly, fixable.
From Frustration to Expertise: A Mission Is Born
Driven to solve this widespread issue, Paula Jeffery transitioned to saddle fitting full-time over a decade ago. Today, she holds three saddle fitting qualifications, including the gold standard: certification as a Qualified Saddlefitter with the UK Society of Master Saddlers.
Her motivation went beyond individual fittings. Paula Jeffery saw a glaring lack of education and scientific research around saddle fit and its effects on equine and human biomechanics. Determined to raise the bar across the entire industry, she founded Performance Saddlefits, a company dedicated to changing the saddle fitting standard in Australia.
Leading the Way with Performance Saddlefits
Through Performance Saddlefits, Paula not only provides expert fittings to equestrians around the country, she also trains and mentors emerging saddle fitters to achieve internationally recognised qualifications.
Her educational work often intersects with the continuing professional development needs of veterinarians, many of whom rely on a premium equine veterinary education membership to deepen their understanding of biomechanics and saddle-related pathology.
Under her guidance, Performance Saddlefits has become a hub for ongoing research and collaboration, working closely with leading veterinarians, equine physiotherapists, saddle designers, and manufacturers around the globe.
Their work is grounded in a deep understanding of how pressure distribution, saddle balance, and tree design affect equine performance and health. “Tree shape profiles, the skeletal structure of your saddle are crucial.
They distribute the rider’s weight over the horse’s back, minimizing pressure on specific muscle groups and joints,” Paula Jeffery explains in her acclaimed presentation, Saddlefitting: The Pressure Problem.
A Recognised Voice in Equestrian Education
Paula Jeffery’s influence extends well beyond the saddle fitting arena. She is a two-time Equitana Education Presenter and delivers Saddle Fit and Biomechanics Seminars across Australia, where she speaks with clarity, passion, and scientific credibility.
Her sessions help riders, coaches, and veterinarians better understand the critical role of saddle fit in performance, injury prevention, and overall horse welfare.
In addition, Paula Jeffery is the Founder and Managing Director of Horse Pro Hub, a pioneering online platform offering digital education and tools for riders, owners, and equestrian professionals. This initiative reflects her ongoing commitment to making accurate, evidence-based information accessible to the wider horse community.
Why Paula Jeffery Matters
What sets Paula Jeffery apart isn’t just her qualifications or decades of experience, it’s her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of horses and the riders who love them. Her work bridges the gap between art and science, tradition and innovation, rider intention and equine response.
Whether through hands-on fittings, industry education, or collaborative research, Paula continues to push boundaries and raise awareness of an issue that affects every discipline and every level of the sport.
The Name to Know in Modern Saddle Fitting: Paula Jeffery
If you’re serious about improving equine performance, preventing injury, or simply riding in greater harmony with your horse, Paula Jeffery is the expert to turn to. Her work is redefining saddle fitting not as an afterthought, but as a cornerstone of ethical and effective horsemanship.
In a world where marginal gains can mean the difference between success and struggle, Paula Jeffery is ensuring that every rider has the knowledge, tools, and support to put their horse’s comfort first – and achieve greatness because of it.
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