I’m looking to upgrade to a nicer saddler and i’m considering a devoucoux. I do not know anyone with one and the only way I can trial one is if I first pay full price but I just want to hear opinions. I’ve heard they are super comfortable and put you in a great position. Opinions?
I am very meh about them. I’m not a fan of foam flocked saddles to begin with, particularly Devoucouxs. As for the Chiberta itself, if it works, it works. But what is God’s gift to someone else’s riding is a complete failure for others, and that is across the board when it comes to saddles. For me, I don’t love the balance of it and it isn’t forward enough (of I were forced into a Devoucouxs, I would be best in an Ioldy).
There are lots of really nice saddles out there and I will give you the same advice I got here when I was upgrading a couple of years ago- try LOTS. And, honestly, for most saddlemtrials, you’ll have to have the moneynup front. This is security for the seller.
What YB said ^^^
I have had two Chibertas and they were wonderful to sit in but neither ever fit any horse that well. I moved on to County and am super happy with both the dressage and jump saddles. They are wool-flocked and fit to my widest horse so I then shim them for the more narrow horses.
I would go custom and have a saddle fit to both you and your horse(s). Chibertas cannot be custom fit to a horse due to the foam flocking and limited panel choices.
I got to try one last year and I loved it a LOT.
Meh, not like the best thing in the world, but not terrible. Ive sat in quite a few over the years and Im not super impressed with any of them. It feels like too much padding in the seat. Like im sitting on a overstuffed chair. I like a closer feel.
I prefer my Childeric.
I have loved my Chiberta the moment I sat in it and love it still, seven years later. Competing through Advanced right now.
Having said that, they are notorious for not fitting properly and causing back pain to the horse. Mine appears to fit well, but my horse is undoubtedly experiencing back pain right now. So there’s a chance I may be switching brands in the foreseeable future.
I absolutely love mine, and my horse is happy with it too. Their customer service is pretty terrible though. I would try a Voltaire if I were you.
There are used ones out there. You might be able to try one of those! Look on the Area 2 Facebook page.
Hubby loves his - was a total game changer for his riding as it has been for a number of his students who were looking for a more secure lower leg position. Our area rep - Megan Gardiner - is pretty amazing as well. Saddles are really personal tho and reps can vary from region to region… Contact your area rep and test ride in one before spending the $$. You may not find them as awesome as we do and for that price they need to be!
Curious about cost, what does a new one go for? I know there are different types of leather available and probably other options that influence cost, but I’m just interested in “ball park” price.
Had a Chiberta brand new on trial, didn’t love it, sent it back and got a County Conquest and have had 3 Conquests since then to fit various horses. I prefer wool flocked over foam any day and just felt more secure in the County and it fit more horses (I’ve had 2 Narrows and a Wide and all fit several horses while I owned them)
If I have $5k to spend on a saddle I’m having David Stackhouse make one to fit both me and my horse.
[QUOTE=subk;8204863]
If I have $5k to spend on a saddle I’m having David Stackhouse make one to fit both me and my horse.[/QUOTE]
Yeah… I basically posted the same thing but it disappeared in cyberspace. I love my Stackhouse monoflaps. I’ve had pretty much everything mentioned on this thread…and for me, the Stackhouse was the game changer for the bigger fences especially. AND pretty much any pro who rides my horses is pretty happy to just ride in my saddles.
ETA: Because of my leg, none of the French saddles or really anything not fully custom is forward enough (without bad balance)…and then with my short backed horses…I really needed full custom.
I love my Chiberta. It fits my horse well and improves but does not restrict my position. I would be buried with it, but one of my friends might dig me up to steal it!
I love mine. Took me a long time to give in and buy it but it was worth it to me. My horse goes very well in it so no fit issues so far.
[QUOTE=subk;8204863]
If I have $5k to spend on a saddle I’m having David Stackhouse make one to fit both me and my horse.[/QUOTE]
Holy macaroni, my saddle is next in line. I’m so excited I could pop. I am, undeniably, fortunate that Stackhouse has it’s home base 15 minutes from my farm. He is an absolute pleasure to work with!
I love my Chiberta and it fits my hard to fit horse very well.
Chibertas fit ME perfectly - feel as though I can finally ride decently. HOWEVER, a custom fitted Chiberta almost ruined my sweet horse’s back, likely caused the changes in his wither, pony became dangerous to ride…thank goodness someone convinced me to try another saddle = sane horse, Chiberta kicked to the curb, new saddle for me. Think long and hard about buying a Chiberta. Like others on COTH, I recommend County. If you’re leaning towards a mono flap, County has one now!
Thanks everyone! I know all saddle trials are payment up front (duh) but I just wanted to hear some opinions before bothering trying it. I cannot afford a new custom. I’m looking in the $3k range and under. I have been strongly considering looking into having a county rep come out and I think I will now! Thanks!
What does your horse look like/need? I know of a super nice Stackhouse monoflap that is about to hit the market in NH. I previously owned it and sold it to a friend. Since she moved out east, her horse’s muscling has changed and the saddle no longer fits (fit like a glove before she found those NH hills!). I agree with a lot of the posters that the Stackhouse saddles are just amazing.
