Looking for some feedback on the old stubben imperators or the courbette vision saddles. I’m casually looking. The horse I’m riding right now is a green FAT round perch tb cross that I have affectionately been calling the circle. Im a big fan of the two tone leather look and found a good looking stubben imperator, but unsure of whether or not the no knee pad would be a good idea for eventing… I just switched over from h/j. Thanks!
Don’t know about eventing, but the Stubben Imperator was well loved by foxhunters. Someone else will have to tell if it works with larger drops than are usually seen in foxhunting.
The Imperator has a small knee pad and then a smaller pad in the back (don’t know what it’s called offhand) for support also. It has a deeper seat and more padding than a straight close contact saddle, and I’ve found it very comfortable. I have one now that was given as a prize at the AQHA Jumper finals in 1974, and it’s still going strong (bought this one secondhand from the gal who won it). Had another one years ago when I low-level evented and I always felt secure in it. Great saddles, and they wear like iron. The only thing might be the tree width, if you have a wide horse, as they are supposed to run a little narrow.
Best advice would be to try it with an option to return if it doesn’t fit. Otherwise, I give it and all Stubbens an A+.
The Imperator name reflects the type of leather…not the saddle style. Stubbens are comfortable, deep seated saddles that last forever!! My 1968 saddle was still going strong and in mint condition when I sold it to a friend a few years ago!! When I offered to buy it back after losing 4 other Stubbens in a barn fire I learned it had been sold on to yet another person who would not part with it!! Just try it and see if you like it!!
I’ve been told in my saddle search that a stubben won’t work for my round mare. They don’t fit them right. I haven’t tried one, but many people tell me this.
Best bet is to find a Stubben rep in your area and ck w them. We are finding that the newer models are very well suited to eventing!
My experience with the Vision is that, generally, riders love them and horses hate them. The saddle is a massive thing that keeps you locked in, but I haven’t seen a horse yet that they fit well.
Are you looking for something with a really forward flap, or big knee/thigh rolls, or…?
ETA: just re-read your post. If I remember correctly, the Vision tree is a pretty steep A shape. Probably not a good choice. While I also love the two-toned leather, you really need to choose a saddle by 1) how it fits your horse and next 2) how it fits you. A round horse often needs a flatter or even hoop-shaped tree. Maybe look at the Albion K2 or similar.
Hmm my experience has been quite different. The vision has a spring tree that fit my relatively broad and straight backed horses quite well. Actually fit many horses at the barn as it is wool flocked and a quite forgiving saddle (wide gullet and overall quite forgiving fit). I event so these would be WBs and WB/TB crosses.
For the human, I found the vision to have a nice forward flap (good for people who are tall or long through the thigh). One dislike was that the drat thing is surprisingly heavy, I’m not sure why.
[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8771617]
I’ve been told in my saddle search that a stubben won’t work for my round mare. They don’t fit them right. I haven’t tried one, but many people tell me this.[/QUOTE]
Fit has to do with tree size…not brand name. I’ve used the same Stubben on all sorts of horses…ISH’s/draft crosses to QH’s to TB’s!!
What funny timing. OP, I hope the two-tone Imperator you found isn’t the one on DC Craigslist because I just picked it up! No prior experience with them so I can’t really answer your questions but I’m hoping it will fit DH and my older horse so we can go trail riding together. I’ve heard Stubbens are typically comfortable for men. Backup plan for it is a foxhunting saddle for my youngster and me when he’s a little older. 
[QUOTE=crosscreeksh;8772483]
Fit has to do with tree size…not brand name. I’ve used the same Stubben on all sorts of horses…ISH’s/draft crosses to QH’s to TB’s!![/QUOTE]
I understand that, but the way the stubben trees are made, I was told wouldn’t work for a horse like mine, which is the same type as the OP is asking about. Just what I’ve been told. Glad it works for your horse
[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8771617]
I’ve been told in my saddle search that a stubben won’t work for my round mare. They don’t fit them right. I haven’t tried one, but many people tell me this.[/QUOTE]
depends on the tree and how round your mare is. there is a stubben out there for everyone, i’m convinced.
i have a very round TB, pudge-pudge with huge barrel, round back and we went through a lot of “no’s” with him, i call him the ‘pea princess’ – we fit several saddles to him and none of them were just right… in the end HE picked his saddle – it’s a stubben zaria. :winkgrin:
