And from the Rumour Mill…
If the rumors that CWD has bought Devoucoux are true, then maybe you can have the benefits of both companies:cool:
I had a really good experience with Devoucoux. I ultimately didn’t elect for buffalo on my own saddle, but have seen it on plenty of other Devs and can confirm it wears like iron! So if you know you like Dev and you have an idea of what you like adn what will fit your horse, even if you’re not in love with your rep, keep an eye out for those used.
UPDATE:
Have reps coming from CWD and Bruno Delgrange. After some back and forth with Devoucoux, they do not have a local demo so would have to pay in full for the saddle, and then have one shipped in/out.
I am interested in trying both CWD and Delgrange, would love opinions. I really really want the extra grip (which I found from the Antares Buffalo demo), but also don’t want the saddle to look like a used Swiffer either. Delgrange doesn’t do Buffalo, but said their calf/grain combo was grippy.
Across the country BUT likely easier/cheaper than shipping across borders … back when I was looking for something off the rack I was quoted nearly the same price shipping within province or across the country
We have two Delgranges in the barn; mine and my trainer’s. Both are grain flaps, calf seat/rolls. I’ve obviously ridden in mine a ton (Athena) and I love it more than any saddle I’ve ever sat in.the right amount of comfy, grippy and amazing balance. I’ve also ridden in my trainer’s Partition quite a bit recently. I’m not as fond of it when compared to mine, but it is very high on the list of saddles that I like. It too is very balanced, grippy, etc…I just prefer the flatter seat of the Athena.
OP, it really, really, really comes down to personal preference. You’ve gotten a lot of people posting on here with suggestions, which is great! But you won’t know which saddle is the one for you without listening to yourself and to what you’re feeling. Your build will come into the equation as well.
As an example, RugBug and I tend to get along quite well. We agree on many things. We can even agree that Delgranges and CWDs are both very nice saddles. But she greatly prefers the Delgrange and I greatly prefer CWD. It really comes down to what you feel when you sit in it.
[QUOTE=supershorty628;7145122]
As an example, RugBug and I tend to get along quite well. We agree on many things. We can even agree that Delgranges and CWDs are both very nice saddle. But she greatly prefers the Delgrange and I greatly prefer CWD. It really comes down to what you feel when you sit in it.[/QUOTE]
Hehee! Yes, it’s true…I prefer the Delgrange and you the CWD. And clearly your CWD works amazingly for you…you have textbook eq, even over the huge jumps. 
Your last statement is absolutely the gist of it all. TRY as many as you can and hopefully one will call your name.
(I really only responded again because OP asked for opinions on the grippy-ness of the Delgrange as it does not come in buffalo. )
As far as ‘grippy-ness’ my CWD is all buffalo and I love it. I definitely notice a big difference in ‘stick’ between it and my calf Amerigo.
CWD claims to be french, but really they are put together in Morocco.
DELGRANGE baby. I’m in LOVE with these saddles. Cannot wait for a rep to get our to my area, so I can get one.
I personally love the quality of a Delgrange. And I see so many used CWD’s out on the market. Perhaps people hang onto their DG’s longer?
I own a buffalo voltaire, fits my super hard to fit jumper like a glove with the 2nd skin option & since the saddler worked with Devoucoux they are very similar. My rep (Romain) has been nothing but helpful. A good friend of mine had hers for over a year and it was no longer fitting her horse well & they took it back and repaneled.
One of my clients owns a 3 year old and ordered one but was worried about fitting as he’s still changing a lot. They’re willing to come out and check is saddle every 6 months and repanel if needed. Can’t say enough about how wonderful they’ve been for us.
CWD is definitely made in France, not Morocco…
I had a Bruno Delgrange Partition in calf/grain before I got my CWD it was extremely grippy as well, nice and balanced. Beautiful saddle. But there was no way it would fit my gelding, so it had to go.
Now I don’t see myself ever riding in anything except my cwd buffalo/grain SE02. It takes grip to a whole nother level and it wears like iron. It conditioned beautifully and certainly doesn’t look like a “swiffer” like one poster said.
Another vote for delgrange :yes: cannot say enough good things about them!!
LOVED the CWD S02 with grain/buffalo. Loved it. Fit the horse great too and the rep was amazing.
Going to try Delgrange tomorrow.
So…at least Ive narrowed it down to two!
[QUOTE=SquishTheBunny;7147058]
LOVED the CWD S02 with grain/buffalo. Loved it. Fit the horse great too and the rep was amazing.
Going to try Delgrange tomorrow. [/QUOTE]
Arrange to ride in each saddle for a week or 2, if the demo saddles fit the horse reasonably well it’s good to do at least 10 rides before deciding; take some lessons, flat & jump, go out on a hack etc
Both reps were amazing and were very patient while I tried a bunch of models. I was overly impressed with the CWD rep (he is American, so anyone wanting a CWD I would be happy to provide his info!). He had me sit in ALL the models, and was very good in describing why these saddles stood out from the others.
However, when I sat in the DelGrange (rep was also amazing, very realistic and honest), I was sold. The saddle felt like “home” to my tush and legs. The base model fit well without any adjustments needed on 2 of the 3 horses, and with a small riser fit the other great too.
So, that was my experience - positive for both CWD and Delgrange. Both seemed like excellent quality saddles as far as leather and make, and there were some parts of 1 that I wish the other had and vice versa, but overall I am very happy with my decision.
Oh, and sat in a CWD G2…OMG, it was like sitting in a recliner. However, several thousand above budget! man, what I would give to have that saddle for a long trail ride.
Ended up doing a grain flap, calf knees/seat.
[QUOTE=SquishTheBunny;7152502]
Both reps were amazing and were very patient while I tried a bunch of models. I was overly impressed with the CWD rep (he is American, so anyone wanting a CWD I would be happy to provide his info!). He had me sit in ALL the models, and was very good in describing why these saddles stood out from the others.
However, when I sat in the DelGrange (rep was also amazing, very realistic and honest), I was sold. The saddle felt like “home” to my tush and legs. The base model fit well without any adjustments needed on 2 of the 3 horses, and with a small riser fit the other great too.
So, that was my experience - positive for both CWD and Delgrange. Both seemed like excellent quality saddles as far as leather and make, and there were some parts of 1 that I wish the other had and vice versa, but overall I am very happy with my decision.
Oh, and sat in a CWD G2…OMG, it was like sitting in a recliner. However, several thousand above budget! man, what I would give to have that saddle for a long trail ride.
Ended up doing a grain flap, calf knees/seat.[/QUOTE]
Congrats :yes: I can relate to the feeling- sometimes when I’m cantering around in my Bruno all I can think about is how comfortable it is- LOL
So happy to hear you liked Sophie as much as we do. I know exactly how you feel when you said it felt like “home”. That is exactly how I felt the first time I sat in one.
Just wanted to add how much I adored seeing all the “Delgrange Love” on this thread.
Congrats! Finding the right saddle is amazing…no matter the brand.
I looooove my buffalo Voltaire second skin. Grippy, puts you in the right position and feels and looks great. About $5k new, but your local rep may have some trade ins that are in fantastic shape.
I humbly take back my slightly off putting CWD comment.
Yep, just an update on my stupid comment too. I sat in the 2G… I don’t care if where it’s made, Morocco, Jupiter, Mars… it’s the BEST saddle I have ever ridden in. My sensitive TB moved out more, felt like a different horse, and jumped better. Even if I can’t get this saddle, I am going to rave to everyone about it.
That is all. Had to right my wrong!
