Locking headplate for a saddle tree of a riding saddle and saddle tree comprising such a headplate

A saddle tree comprising:

• a saddle tree body having a front portion suitable to abut on the withers of a horse, said front portion comprising two inclined side portions converging upwardly, wherein an inclination of said inclined side portions is variable when the saddle tree is positioned on the back of the horse;
• and a locking headplate comprising two rigid headplate arms, each headplate arm being fixed to an inner side of the respective inclined side portion, the two headplate arms having respective mutual connection end portions which form a headplate hinge for a rotation of one headplate arm with respect to the other headplate arm about an axis of rotation, wherein the two inclined side portions are hinged together, wherein said end portions are further fitted with facing blocking surfaces shaped in a complementary manner so as to block, when placed in mutual contact, the rotation of the headplate arms, the locking headplate being further provided with arm translation means operable to translate one arm with respect to the other along the axis of rotation so as to cause engagement and disengagement of said blocking surfaces, said arm translation means comprising a screw and being accessible through a front access opening coaxial to the axis of rotation,
• wherein one end portion of said end portions comprises a hollow tubular element, and wherein the other end portion of said end portions comprises a pin which is inserted in said hollow tubular element;
• wherein a first blocking surface of said blocking surfaces is formed in an annular end surface of the hollow tubular element and a second blocking surface is formed in an annular wall surrounding a base of the pin, and wherein the first blocking surface faces the second blocking surface;
• and said arm translation means configured to be actuated by a rider to change the inclination of the two headplate arms while the rider is sitting on the saddle positioned on the back of the horse.