Custom Ordering a Saddle

[annairb]

I have previously ordered through Devoucoux and CWD and had awful experiences each time. The saddles came in wrong multiple times, the rep was reluctant and rude when I contacted her to fix the issues, ended up finally getting refunds from each after a lot of stress.

However, my horse still needs a saddle, and the right one is very hard to find used. I am looking at ordering Voltaire (or maybe Antares) but am reluctant to do so after these cases.

Does anyone have experience custom ordering with Voltaire (or even Antares)? Good or bad, I would like to hear it. Thank you!

[HJdaydream]

I purchased a Voltaire from the Texas/South central rep back in December and it arrived in February. I LOVE it. I loved the entire process. The rep was extremely responsive, US office always answered their phone and were the picture of customer service. Saddle came in perfect, and rep was easy to get ahold of to come check it once I rode in it a for a bit. The rep always promptly answered my calls and texts.

I have heard horror stories about custom saddle orders, so I am thrilled to say my experience with Voltaire was exemplary.

[BITSA]

Love Voltaire and the rep in the PNW is great

[Scribbler]

I think it mostly has to do with quality of rep. And theres a fair amount of turnover in reps. It’s a supplementary income for most. They work on commission. They quit when it turns out not to be worth the time and aggravation. A few are good and make it work long time.

[HopefulHunter45]

Voltaire is an excellent saddle! The leather quality is great and holds up nicely. The rep I ordered from was extremely accommodating and helpful when it came to ordering the saddle. Although they do take awhile to come in, it is worth the wait as the saddle is of great quality.

[ammyforlife]

I ordered my Antares a couple years ago and I had a great experience. It came exactly as ordered and fit me and my horse great!

[Madison]

@Scribbler

I think it mostly has to do with quality of rep. And theres a fair amount of turnover in reps. It’s a supplementary income for most. They work on commission. They quit when it turns out not to be worth the time and aggravation. A few are good and make it work long time.

This ^^ Ask around about the Voltaire rep in your area as that’s the most critical piece of the equation. I got lucky and had a fabulous CWD rep, so my custom order was smooth sailing and my saddle was perfect and on time. But of course pretty soon thereafter he was no longer working as a CWD rep. So, I’d either post your location on here and see what people know about the rep, or ask around in your area, and see what intel you can gather!

[annairb]

@HJdaydream

I purchased a Voltaire from the Texas/South central rep back in December and it arrived in February. I LOVE it. I loved the entire process. The rep was extremely responsive, US office always answered their phone and were the picture of customer service. Saddle came in perfect, and rep was easy to get ahold of to come check it once I rode in it a for a bit. The rep always promptly answered my calls and texts.

I have heard horror stories about custom saddle orders, so I am thrilled to say my experience with Voltaire was exemplary.

That is awesome to hear as this is the same rep for me! How long did it take for yours to come in?

[HJdaydream]

@annairb

That is awesome to hear as this is the same rep for me! How long did it take for yours to come in?

They quoted me 10-12 weeks, I think it actually took maybe 12.5 or 13 but I am not positive. I also ordered at the busiest time of the year (before Christmas), so I wasn’t surprised. They kept me up to date during the whole process though, so I wasn’t worried. It got stuck in customs for a day (so it took a day longer then when I thought it would arrive) but Britt (the rep) and the US office fixed the customs issue immediately and were super communicative during the process. I considered it a non-issue since it was corrected so quickly.

P.S. I would go with calf skin if you budget allows. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I am SO GLAD I chose calf skin because it is STUNNING.

[annairb]

@HJdaydream

They quoted me 10-12 weeks, I think it actually took maybe 12.5 or 13 but I am not positive. I also ordered at the busiest time of the year (before Christmas), so I wasn’t surprised. They kept me up to date during the whole process though, so I wasn’t worried. It got stuck in customs for a day (so it took a day longer then when I thought it would arrive) but Britt (the rep) and the US office fixed the customs issue immediately and were super communicative during the process. I considered it a non-issue since it was corrected so quickly.

P.S. I would go with calf skin if you budget allows. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I am SO GLAD I chose calf skin because it is STUNNING.

Thank you! Brittany told me that they usually take 14-16 weeks, which is disappointing as its such a long wait period. I would be very happy it was only 13.5, like yours, or even less since it shouldn’t be busy right now.

I love the calfskin and buffalo leather types for Voltaire - is there a reason you like calf over buffalo or even grain? I’m worried about the integrity of calf versus grain or even buffalo as it is a thin leather and some of the used calfskin/buffalo saddles I have seen are very “wrinkly.”

[Pennywell_Bay]

I know you are not interested by they told me my custom CWD would be 12 weeks and it came in under 8,

[HJdaydream]

@annairb

So, I personally much prefer the look of the calf. The buffalo looks quite wrinkly to me (even when it’s new) which I really didn’t like. It’s also not any more durable then calf (according to Brittney and Betrand, the US sales manager), which I previously thought was the advantage of buffalo. The calf is super grippy, but with a lovely smooth appearance. The grain takes much longer to break in, is slicker, and I don’t prefer the look of it.

I’m sure that all 3 are wonderful options, but I am personally very happy with the calf and very glad I chose it! See the link below if you want to see pics of mine when it arrived.

http://hunkyhanoverian.com/allthingshorse/eagle-landed-voltaire-saddle/

[ponyjumper525]

I have the buffalo Voltaire from the same Texas/South region (Claudio was my rep because I got it a year or so ago) and I absolutely love it. I had a calfskin Antares, but the buffalo is to dieeeeee for! My calfskin saddle used to get scratched from the stupidest things and it would break my heart every time… like dismounting and my belt buckle, etc.

The buffalo lasts forever, easy to break in, the price difference is definitely worth the hardiness of it, and I love how “sticky” it is. I don’t really have to try to post without stirrups. Mine did take some time to come in - I ordered around September/October and got in a few days before Christmas and it was so so so worth the wait. I actually got it because my old saddle was stolen (that’s a different story), and tbh it being stolen was such a blessing in disguise!

Buffalo Voltaire all the way! (but of course sit in the different leathers to see what you prefer) Happy saddle shopping!

[merrygoround]

A saddle is only as good as its fit. Its fit is only as good as the person doing the fitting. Word of mouth works best.

Too many promise the moon, and then give you moldy cheese.

[annairb]

@ponyjumper525

I have the buffalo Voltaire from the same Texas/South region (Claudio was my rep because I got it a year or so ago) and I absolutely love it. I had a calfskin Antares, but the buffalo is to dieeeeee for! My calfskin saddle used to get scratched from the stupidest things and it would break my heart every time… like dismounting and my belt buckle, etc.

The buffalo lasts forever, easy to break in, the price difference is definitely worth the hardiness of it, and I love how “sticky” it is. I don’t really have to try to post without stirrups.

I was actually thinking about going with Buffalo as it seems to wear a lot nicer as compared to the calfskin. I am seeing that most of the used Voltaire calfskin saddles get really “wrinkly” with time, whereas the Buffalo seems to turn very “smooth” with time - especially in the area by the stirrup keepers.

How is your saddle looking with age?

[ponyjumper525]

@annairb

I was actually thinking about going with Buffalo as it seems to wear a lot nicer as compared to the calfskin. I am seeing that most of the used Voltaire calfskin saddles get really “wrinkly” with time, whereas the Buffalo seems to turn very “smooth” with time - especially in the area by the stirrup keepers.

How is your saddle looking with age?

It’s a little over a year old and still looks good as new! I take relatively good care of it - don’t clean after every ride, but soap and condition about once every one or two weeks! I ride about 5+ times in it a week.

[Noel]

Southern California experience here, I adore my Voltaire.

My rep was lovely, was able to come and see me the day after I reached out to her. I actually bought mine before the CWD rep was able to come see me. (She was going to come right away then had to reschedule a week out… I bought Voltaire in that time. Snooze ya lose!)

She was able to fit me and my horse pretty easily. She left us with a lovely buffalo Stuttgart while she had my Palm Beach brought in. It only took a couple of weeks. I told her the second skin option would be a bonus but wasn’t necessary, but she managed to get that for me too! Now that I have it I am so thankful she found it for me. She did manage to push me about 1k above my budget BUT I ended up with a demo model (2015 I think, and I’ve had it about a year) and she allowed me to make payments, which was a huge relief and allowed me to spring for something nicer/newer. I ended up visiting her booth at the showpark while waiting for it to come in to order one of their brown/teal saddle pads, I was so excited… I could not be happier with my experience! (Not to mention the comfort, stickability of the buffalo, and how well my horse goes in it as well!)

edit; I guess I should mention that mine wasn’t totally custom since they had a great fit already in a demo, but I did want to talk about how happy I have been with the customer service. I hope you find a saddle that works great for you.

[mpsbarnmanager]

I just ordered a custom County yesterday. I think your rep is key! Good luck!

[shmon]

I got a brand new Voltaire last fall - my first custom saddle! It came in 3 weeks early and was perfect right from the start. My horse loves it and it broke in super quickly (I got calfskin). I worked with Sammy, the SoCal rep, and she was great!

[licketysplit]

I just got my custom buffalo skins antares saddle and it was a flawless process and I love my saddle. This is my second one and I love it!