I’m kinda looking for a new saddle. Mine’s fine but nothing fancy. These Courbette vision saddles, both styles have caught my eye.
Anyone ride in one, either the A/P or jumping one? Anyone know where I can get a deal on one?!
Several people in my former barn had these saddles and I have ridden in them. I would consider them overpriced for the quality, but good in terms of fit especially for riders. I found them uncomfortable, but I am short. Old thread about them http://vb4test.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?189824-For-those-who-purchased-have-the-courbette-vision
They show up used, try a google search. Don’t know what size you need. I found this:
http://www.farmhousetack.com/servlet/the-2837/Used-Courbette-Vision-saddle,/Detail
Price new is under $2k http://www.vtosaddlery.com/product/FOX/CVS.htm
oooh thanks, I thought there had been a thread on them but I did a search and couldn’t find it. Thanks for digging it up!
Yeah, I guess Steubben is buying out Courbette and there are deals to be had. So I’m trying to figure if it can fit into my budget.
I have a Courbette Vision. I am 5’2’’. The saddle is very comfortable but I couldn’t get my leg in the right place when I was jumping because of the knee rolls. I had the knee rolls taken out and it works much better. Overall, the saddle is nice and very comfortable.
Thanks for the info! I’m 5’6" with short legs and a big behind. My saddle is 18" and fits me fine seat-wise, the flaps are long but that doesn’t bother me. It’s just not comfy. I was riding in a 17" dressage saddle that was SO darned comfy and sofa-like that ever since then I’ve been dissatisfied with my own.
I’ve never ridden in anything with blocks so I don’t know how they’d feel.
I have one, but only use it for trail riding since I got my Devoucoux. I’ve had mine a long time, and there is nothing wrong with it, but it’s definitely not as secure to jump in as the Devoucoux. Several people have offered to buy it, but with a seat cover added it works really well for trail riding. It is the forward seat jumping model, but has lots of d-rings so I can attach a cantle bag, etc. If I ever decide to start hunting again, I’d probably use it for that also. I’m also a shorty-5’2".
Once upon a time, I had Courbette after Courbette, but I feel like their quality has dropped over the years as ownership has changed hands and they’ve moved a few times. A few years ago State Line Tack was selling off all their remaining Visions for like $600 (when they were owned by PetSmart) and I got one then. I found it comfortable (I’m tall) but really quite heavy. At that price it was a steal and I sold it on eBay a few years later for more than I paid, but I wouldn’t want to pay 2k. For that price point, I love my Albion K2 and on a budget, I’d look at the Heritage (UK) line of saddles.
I don’t have them, but I have seen them on various clients’ horses. They are quite an odd fit - they usually don’t fit the horse very well, and they usually don’t fit the rider very well. When they are not balanced, they put you in a far worse chair seat than any Stubben (which is saying something !)
Having said that, I recently sold one for a client to another client, and it was perfect on her kinda round, kinda big shouldered horse, and put the (kinda short like me) rider in the best position I’ve ever seen her.
Well, when to comes to saddles, function will eventually trump fashion for me 
I do think they’re good looking saddles, though!
I’ll probably end up getting a used something something like a Steubben Siegfried (sic?). I’ll check out some of the old threads.
Thanks all for your insight and experience with these saddles.
If you don’t have an old Stubben Siegfried in the barn, you should get one of those first. It’s your basic, last-forever, forgiving fit, not such a great position but gets the job done saddle. Every barn should have one. Do you know how to measure for a Stubben or would you like a guide ?
Why I would love a guide, Kate! Thanks.
These saddles are about $1200 brand new - Quite a steal. I know a few people who ride in them (or other Heritage models) and the company has been good to work with. They offer a lot of customization. They will do two-tone on many of their saddles (including mono-flaps) if you request it, if it is the two-tone look you’re after.
I’ve never owned a Courbette, but I’ve ridden in several, and they all had one thing in common: they were hard as a rock! The leather was very stiff and card-boardy, as well as the seat of the saddle was hard and uncomfortable to ride in.
I think that some might be commenting on Courbette’s in general and not the Vision specifically. I have a Vision extra (forward and long flap), and the one thing that stands out is how comfortable the seat and flaps are. The knee rolls and seat have soft padding and the leather is soft too. The only ‘hard’ leather is the center panel on the flap which is durable to protect from the leathers.
The knee rolls are big and easy to rest your knees on when galloping.
Wow, thanks for posting this, I’ll have to poke around and see if I can find one to sit in.
[QUOTE=JWB;6874772]
http://www.heritagesaddlery.co.uk/content/yin-yang-inner-balance-mono-flap-jump-event-saddle-fc-forward-cut-version
These saddles are about $1200 brand new - Quite a steal. I know a few people who ride in them (or other Heritage models) and the company has been good to work with. They offer a lot of customization. They will do two-tone on many of their saddles (including mono-flaps) if you request it, if it is the two-tone look you’re after.[/QUOTE]
That’s good to hear. I found a tack shop nearby that has one so I’m going to go sit in it and check it out for myself.
[QUOTE=Martina;6875275]
I think that some might be commenting on Courbette’s in general and not the Vision specifically. I have a Vision extra (forward and long flap), and the one thing that stands out is how comfortable the seat and flaps are. The knee rolls and seat have soft padding and the leather is soft too. The only ‘hard’ leather is the center panel on the flap which is durable to protect from the leathers.
The knee rolls are big and easy to rest your knees on when galloping.[/QUOTE]
courbette vision! the best!!!
I have owned three of them–the Extra i sold (it was too big for me)–I have two currently–one for everyday riding (including lots of trail) and one i keep for shows and events. The leather breaks in great and my saddles are actually molded to my seat and legs where they fall on the saddle. This saddle has really saved my butt! cross country and in show jumping too–i use to lose a stirrup and the knee rolls locked my knee in and allowed my leg to stay in position. A gal who rode my horse last summer lost a stirrup going up a steep three phase bank and just locked her leg and my horse kept going! I cant say enough good about them–i wouldnt ride in anything else (i rode in stubben siegfried for many many years before). I got good deals on both of them on ebay (one was used for 6 months). I had a top 3 star eventer ride my horse (in clinic) and said he didnt like my saddle–i asked why? he said it holds you in too much and if you have to fall you cant get away–NOT true–i had bad fall with horse slipping coming down steep hill in frost (just lost her footing and slipped)–i got clear great with no injuries to either of us. But it depends on what you need–i am older (in 60’s rider) with many old injury related issues and i need SECURITY in saddle above all.
Love, love my saddles!
Wow, that’s great information. Yeah, I’m keeping an open mind about them. Gotta find one to try out first.
thanks all!
I rode in one for a while and loved it. It was the extra model with the extra forward flaps (I’m 5’9" with a very long leg). They are very heavy saddles, and I think a tad over priced but very nice overall. They have very big blocks, with a deep seat which I personally love but have found some people don’t at all. I suggest you find one to try out and ride in a few times.
We have a Courbette Vision Extra that my 6’4" BF rides in. Lovely saddle. Comfortable for the horses with the spring tree, to my amateur eye the saddle seems to work on a large variety of horses. We have a horse in the barn that can be a tricky fit (large shoulder and wide wither) and the saddle has also worked for him quite well. I’ve ridden in it on occasion, and though much too big for me (I’m 5’4" if I stand really straight) I found it comfortable. The leather is not soft french style leather, more of a hardy thick leather that has softened up with use but is still very durable. I really like the saddle as the fit seems to be kind to many different horses.
I did see a heritage saddle at a local tack store recently. The construction seemed nice but the saddle size was too big for me. It would probably be lovely for someone with longer legs than myself. Here is the link if anyone would like to try it: Heritage Yin Yan Eventer I think pictures are available on the store’s facebook page.
