My only experience with Devoucoux saddles is the Biarritz in buffalo, which I love. Several years ago, my trainer got a brand new one and forced me to ride in it against my will and I fell in love. I bought an older one almost 2 years ago. I thought when I ordered it, that it had long, forward flaps. They are long (3), but straight. I have decided I really need forward flaps. I have been looking for a replacement. Finding everything I’m looking for in one used package is proving to be challenging. I’ve seen a couple of Oldaras and was wondering what the difference was and if that would be a good match? I am also trying to decide if I HAVE to have buffalo? I love the soft, grippiness of it. It’s a lot easier to find what I want, if I give up the buffalo, but will that make me unhappy? I don’t have any experience with Devoucoux’s other leathers.
How much do you ride? Buffalo is the kind of leather you want for a trainer saddle, it will outlast the horse. I would suggest finding a nice, functional saddle that fits your horse, regardless of the leather.
I have the Oldara – I tried the Biarritz since that was what most of my barnmates rode in but the Oldara was a better fit. I also opted for the calfskin over buffalo (I originally had buffalo but it never stopped bleeding onto my breeches) and have never felt deprived.
The calf is equally as soft and grippy? Mine bleeds onto my breeches, too, and it is 12 years old! My boots, also, leave black areas under my leg. I was just afraid of losing the soft grippy feeling, which is why I love the saddle so much.
The oldarra is a slightly flatter seat than the biarritz. Same wider twist.
buffalo and calf are both soft and grippy with calf being slightly softer, but also does not wear as well. Their grain leather is also still quite grippy and soft but not as much as the other 2.
I find it soft and grippy, but what’s soft and grippy to one person can be hard and slippery to another!
Devoucoux decided that the bleeding was so bad it had to be a defect in the leather and they replaced the saddle for free. Several years ago, they changed the tanning method for calfskin and offered an option that was much more durable than what had previously been offered, so that’s what I went with. (Or at least this is what I was told!)
In my opinion the balance point in the Oldara is completely different. It’s further back. So while I found it very comfortable to sit in, I also found it very hard to get out of the tack.
Agree, the balance of the Oldara is quite different.
I have owned a grain and a calf Biarritz and ridden in a buffalo Biarritz. I didn’t enjoy the calf- it wears too easily. I truly don’t notice much difference in the grip between the three leathers. Have been pleased with my grain saddle the last few years.
The balance is farther back as well (though it did not bother me getting out of the tack). I got it in grained leather flaps with calfskin knees and seat, and it was grippy like glue. My gelding outgrew it and I sold it, but it was VERY nice. Let me try to scare up a pic… My only word to the wise is if you are looking new, get it darker than they tell you. It will NOT darken when use or age.
Here it is only a couple years old, when I was starting my baby WB:
And four years later, not much darker:
