As stated, any opinions/thoughts on the new Stubben saddle line?
I had a chance to sit in one and liked the feel. Any idea how they wear or break in? I sat in a Portos and liked it. I’m just starting to consider a new saddle and hope to find a barely used one.
I just bought one–a Roxane VSS. I’ve owned Stubbens my whole life and appreciate their quality. This new one is gorgeous.
I talked to the fitter for a long time. He told me he has worked for Stubben for years–he is German by birth and is in his 60s. He remembered “Old Mr. Stubben,” who he said was rather stubborn about altering his designs–in fact, he wouldn’t even when told that newer buyers were looking to other saddle manufacturers. However, that’s not the case now. Stubben is very aware of what contemporary buyers want, and their new designs reflect that. My new saddle looks very modern and is considerably lighter in weight than my old Stubben. It’s gorgeous, comfortable, and I love it.
As for durability, I can’t say much yet as mine is still new. I’ve ridden in it about a dozen times. Mine is cowhide, not calfskin–a choice I deliberately made since I do not want it to wear out. It’s breaking in quickly, though. The seat and padded knee flaps are made of a softer leather than the flaps. I can’t get over how pretty it is, and I feel confident that it will last.
I just bought one–a Roxane VSS. I’ve owned Stubbens my whole life and appreciate their quality, This new one is gorgeous.
I talked to the fitter for a long time. He told me he has worked for Stubben for years–he is German by birth and is in his 60s. He remembered “Old Mr. Stubben,” whom he said was rather stubborn about altering his designs–in fact, he wouldn’t even when told that newer buyers were looking to other saddle manufacturers. However, that’s not the case now. Stubben is very aware of what contemporary buyers want, and their new designs reflect that. My new saddle looks very modern and is considerably lighter in weight than my old Stubben. It’s gorgeous, comfortable, and I love it.
As for durability, I can’t say much yet as mine is still new. I’ve ridden in it about a dozen times. Mine is cowhide, not calfskin–a choice I deliberately made since I do not want it to wear out. It’s breaking in quickly, though. The seat and padded knee flaps are made of a softer leather than the flaps. I can’t get over how pretty it is, and I feel confident that it will last.
as far as quality I think stubben remains unchanged… I have been pining after their Zaria for a while now.
I have a Roxane and love it. That said, while it is certainly well-made it is definitely not as durable as the old indestructible Stubbens. (OTOH, I got mine very lightly used and it was not hard to break in at all, which i am betting was not the case with the indestructible ones.)
I bought the Zaria last year for my hard to fit gelding and I couldn’t be happier. Mine was very easy to break in and I have no complaints whatsoever with regards to the quality. I bought the saddle in the ebony color along with the matching bridle, girth, etc. and I’ve gotten nothing but compliments. I’d never had a Stubben before this one but so far I’m a happy customer.
I got a Portos beginning of this year and I’m very happy with it. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gbxTLI0uouo/VKbYo6dAiFI/AAAAAAAAAPI/NXs6rDADr5c/s1600/20150101_134658.jpg I didn’t get the Biomex seat but it is not hard at all.
They are great saddles, just not “trendy” today. But if you buy one you will have a nice saddles that will last a long time.
I bought a Portos about three years ago and I love it. I am tall and slender with a really long femur and they were able to fit me with the right size saddle and flap. I did have the saddle fitter come out because you get to try a bunch of saddles and see what works for you and your horse. I still have my Stubben Siegfried CS from 1991. That saddle has held up wonderfully (unfortunately it doesn’t fit my horses). This is my third Stubben (first one my parents bought in Germany, the old Siegfried all purpose saddle). I did try some other saddles, CWD, County, Antares, etc…
[QUOTE=paintjumper63;8178002]
I bought a Portos about three years ago and I love it. I am tall and slender with a really long femur and they were able to fit me with the right size saddle and flap. I did have the saddle fitter come out because you get to try a bunch of saddles and see what works for you and your horse. I still have my Stubben Siegfried CS from 1991. That saddle has held up wonderfully (unfortunately it doesn’t fit my horses). This is my third Stubben (first one my parents bought in Germany, the old Siegfried all purpose saddle). I did try some other saddles, CWD, County, Antares, etc…[/QUOTE]
That’s interesting to me, as I have a hard time fitting saddle because I, too, have a long femur. Can you tell me what “size” flap you have? I may have to look into this.
I rode in a few of the Portos variations when shopping a few months ago and they were great. Not quite right for me but overall really comfy and my horse was happy. They all pitched me forward just a tad so I didn’t end up getting one.
Ditto what Paradox said… tell us more
I will look at my saddle and the tag and see if I can figure out the flap.
[QUOTE=Temecula Jumper;8177979]
I bought the Zaria last year for my hard to fit gelding and I couldn’t be happier. Mine was very easy to break in and I have no complaints whatsoever with regards to the quality. I bought the saddle in the ebony color along with the matching bridle, girth, etc. and I’ve gotten nothing but compliments. I’d never had a Stubben before this one but so far I’m a happy customer.[/QUOTE]
temecula, do you have a picture of it in ebony? i really like the zaria but it appears to only come in an uggo brown…
[QUOTE=paintjumper63;8178514]
I will look at my saddle and the tag and see if I can figure out the flap.[/QUOTE]
Thanks! 
[QUOTE=beowulf;8178531]
temecula, do you have a picture of it in ebony? i really like the zaria but it appears to only come in an uggo brown…[/QUOTE]
I will take a pic of it tomorrow for you when I’m out at the barn. It’s a really pretty dark brown color. I’m not sure if you can really see it from this photo: http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/LMB1978/image_zpsfjgceier.jpg
[QUOTE=paintjumper63;8178514]
I will look at my saddle and the tag and see if I can figure out the flap.[/QUOTE]
Yay thank you!!!
[QUOTE=ParadoxFarm;8178142]
That’s interesting to me, as I have a hard time fitting saddle because I, too, have a long femur. Can you tell me what “size” flap you have? I may have to look into this.[/QUOTE]
I also have a longer than average femur and ended up with a Stubben Edleweiss after trying a number of saddles. It’s quite a few years old now, so I don’t know that the flap has a size, but if might be worth sitting in a few Stubben saddles to see if they might fit you.
I do remember when I was trying saddles that a common issue I was running into was knees overshooting the flap, but going up a seat size for a bigger flap just traded one problem for another. It’s hard to find that right fit.
I really like my Eidelweiss Deluxe. Grippy, nice balance, supportive without getting in my way and a nice looking saddle.
The Deluxe models have a doubled leather, soft and grippy but not delicate
Just curious, everyone else that has the same trouble with your knee overshooting the flap - what measurement are you hip to thigh?
Yes I do. When the Stubben saddle fitter came out, we tried a variety of sizes. Due to my length of leg, I actually need a size 18 saddle. My measurement when seated (end of butt to end of knee) is just over 23". She explained to me that the seat measurement had nothing to do with the size of my @$$ but with the length of my leg (I am 5’9" and weigh 145). Although I can fit in a 16.5, my knee shoots way over the flap. I emailed Stubben to see exactly the flap that I got.
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