All right! We have a convert!!rotf.

I think you're doing it the right way, it's good to be comfortable w/western and english. It will only improve your seat, balance, etc...

My advice would be to try a few on him before you spend a large amount. If you have a tack store in the area that will let you try it out first, or if you could get a "demo" saddle it'd be good, that way you aren't stuck w/a saddle that doesn't fit and trying to sell it. Also, do some reading about saddles. I'll see if I can't find some of the sites I went to while researching. If you are looking at a specific saddle, go to horsetackreview.com and there are testimonials on a lot of different brands and styles.

Yeah, King is not a great saddle, at least that's what I've been told. Don't rule out a used saddle, a lot of the time you can get a much nicer saddle for less. Sure, they aren't shiny and new but if it's in good condition that just means you don't have to break it in!

Ewwww, don't buy a King saddle. They are extremely cheaply made and will not hold up. They'd be ok for a few-times-a-month rider who might ride 20 minutes.

Yes, try some demo saddles- even if one or two you're interested in is too pricey- you can always go and find that brand and style somewhere used like Tack Shops, Craigslist, or Ebay.

Hurray for the conversion! Lol- no both is great as Jen said. Both sides of my family are from hardcore western backgrounds, showing, breeding, training etc etc etc... all the way back to the civil war when western saddles weren't really even western saddles lol... so of course I'm a huge fan. But I do enjoy riding, training and competing english... just not when life's stresses get in my way. I want to be able to relax. (Yeah I know, that's somewhat cheating huh )

Good for you.
Alright now I know I frooze my mind this WINTER-and it wasn't rreally all that cold.
I work my horses fairly hard Western and use my Jaguar jumping or the Marcus Krehan Dressage saddle to just hack out in.
I have a few saddles, try,try and try some more.
You'll find one that you really like and sit in all price ranges, you may be able to luck out and find a really expensive brand in your price range used.