That's exactly what I don't get. Someone goes out and spends good money on a horse and then goes cheap on the saddle and tack. How can you fathom putting a $500 saddle on a 5,000 dollar horse? Your horse should be worth more to you than that, especially for someone who rides every day.
Don't get me wrong I'm all for saving money. I will probably never in my life buy a brand new pickup off the lot, because I cant stand the idea that as soon as its driven off the lot it depreciates by a couple thousand dollars.
However there are some things that shouldn't skimped on.
I will never buy the lowest priced bull at the sale, my cow herd deserves better than that.
I will never buy a cheap Mexican made saddle, my horse deserves better than that.
I would never buy any of the brands you mentioned, it would be better to buy a used quality brand than a new poor quality saddle. You cant make a quality saddle for $600 when a good saddle tree costs that much. I could understand if this was your backyard hobby horse you rode twice a year.....then a Corriente or Simco or Circle Y saddle might make sense.
I currently ride an RT Frazier saddle that my grandpa had made in the 1930's. That saddle cost $90 back then which was a full months pay of cowboy wages. My point is that quality workmanship stands the test of time.