There are so many different Martin barrel racing saddles it is hard to decide based on the description on their website.  Does anyone out there have experience with a few of these to have an opinion about fit and how they ride.  I am 5'7" with long legs so some saddles are a hard fit. I often feel like my knees are in front of the fenders and my thigh hits the swells.  If I lengthen my stirrups too much then my legs can get behind me. I want a deep seat though for security.  Ideally I would ride each one of them for a few hours a piece but that's not realistic.

I don't own any Martin Saddles, but I have ridden in them (I really want one of my own). It really depends on how you ride.

Do you need something to keep you balanced and stop you from getting thrown foward? Do you need something that keeps your horses (and you) and comfortable?

For a tall rider, I would recommend the Crown C. I'm quite short 5'3, but I've seen many tall people ride in it (and Love it!). Sherry Cervi is the 'creator' of the Crown C, She's 6' and really promotes it. It does have a deep seat (a little deeper than I'm used to).

I've only ever owned the Crown C, but have tried out the BTR. As a tall rider myself, 5'9, I absolutely hated the Crown C. I like a deep seat, where I can keep my feet in front of me and the Crown did absolutely the opposite. I sold it shortly after getting dashboarded and thrown into the fence when my horse stopped at the gate. They are not for me.

I really, really liked the feel of the BTR and wouldn't mind owning one. It's a flatter seated saddle and allows a person to keep their feet in front of you just slightly. At least that is how it felt for me.

I have ridden in the BTR, Stingray, FX3 and all around. 

My favorite was the stingray. It was secure but without feeling trapped and sat me pretty deep. 

As far as horse fit, depends who you talk to. Martin themselves told me theyre all in the same tree. Then a dealer, told me thats not true. 

I currently own 3 FX3s. I have short legs and really love this style as it is built for a shorter rider. The pommels are built with a curve for the legs to fit into to help hold and the stirrups never run back. Feet stay straight and easily move forward when necessary. I ride a small 3 year old, a 16 hand heavy built horse and a wide built cutting reject and the 8 inch gullet fits them all. I did own a Crown C prior to the FX3 and liked it for my one horse, but it always let my legs swing back on my front endy horse. I rode a BTR once and absolutely hated it - threw me forward. I have never tried the Stingray or the Fearless.

I had read that the trees fit differently despite Martin saying that the trees are the same.  I was hoping to narrow down my options and when Ive decided I plan to take the horses to the saddle shop and test out a few saddles.  I ride three different horses.  the horses are similar and all generally fit a standard tree with a 6 3/4 inch gullet.  I am more concerned about the fit from front to back and how it sits as far as weight distribution goes.  One saddle may not fit all three though.....Im not lucky like that :)

I would say they all fit different despite what Martin says. I tried an FX3 on in a 7" and it fit nice. I tried a BTR and Stingray in a 7" and it didnt fit right at all. But being honest, it kind of turned me off to them since it seems like they have misleading info.

I had 2 crown c’s, they fit the horses great and were good quality,  but it threw me forward and legs behind me