Question re: Voltaire Saddles

[bjd2013]

My SO had gotten a Voltaire about a year ago and only had if for 6 months. He rides multiple horses and the rep had come out and let him test ride in a brand new one and sold it to him on the spot. He loved it but after about a month felt like it was slipping all the time, all over the place, on every horse he rode. I tried it and also felt like it was slipping. Rep came out agreed it was slipping but because of the pad and girths he used. He said to use a Mattes pad and he needed a Voltaire leather girth because the fleece girths were the issue. Multiple girths later saddle still slipping. So we sold it and went back to Butet.

It might have been that saddle but many people in our area who had sponsorships were dropping Voltaire for similar reasons. We loved the saddle a lot and loved the quality but couldn’t get past the slipping.

[A_AJumper]

Voltaire may have been around for a couple of years now but I wouldn’t say that is why the number of used ones on the market is on the rise. After waiting and waiting for a used Bruno Delgrange (they have been in business since 1976) I finally went ahead an ordered a new one because there are never any used ones.

[BITSA]

[QUOTE=jn4jenny;7378543]
.
–Voltaire, like most French brands, sponsors various riders and encourages those riders to trade in their saddles every 12 to 18 months. And guess when a lot of riders like to do this: right before the winter circuits in Florida and other warmer climes. Voilà, instant used inventory in huge numbers from that trade-in inventory. Frankly, that’s one reason French brands DO the whole sponsorship gig: to maintain a high-priced trade-in inventory, which is a gateway drug for people who later “trade up” to a brand-new saddle from the same brand."[/QUOTE]

This was my experience. I got a saddle that was perfectly taken care of an perfectly broken in by a well known professional hunter rider (who happens to have long legs–lucky me!). I Loooove my Voltaire.

They also have a good youth program where as the kid grows they can trade up and get a certain trade in price for their older saddle.

[sarcam02]

I got one in on trial last winter was pretty disappointed in the ride. Found it to be very flat despite the “cushy” appearance. I do love my flat saddle but I already own one my PDN.

We opted for a Devoucoux

[citygirl]

I have a voltaire dressage saddle. One of our trainers at the barn has a custom voltaire, and her student also has a custom voltaire. None of the saddles have blue anywhere other than the gullet. (I happen to like it). I’m puzzled as to what you’re talking about? Maybe it’s just on jumping saddles? P.S. We LOVE our saddles. High quality craftsmanship, grippy, comfy, and good for position. Horses like them too!

[IPEsq]

Voltaire just picked up a bunch of customers and sponsorships in my area. It will be interesting to see how things go. From what I have observed, they are challenging CWD for aggressive sponsorships.

[pacific_jumper]

City girl, the billet guards on the jumping saddles are blue, along with the gullet channel. Dressage saddles have short girths and don’t need billet guards, so I would assume only the underside of the saddle has blue.
Would like to add that I absolutely love my voltaire palm beach after a lengthy saddle hunt

[Bristol_Bay]

[QUOTE=jn4jenny;7384726]
If this happened to “people you know” a few years ago and/or the saddles’ serial numbers indicate that these saddles are from a few years ago, then it’s very unfortunate, but it’s also old news. Like many new brands, Voltaire had some serious quality control issues in its first year. It happens to a lot of brands, heck it even happened to David Stackhouse when he built the first run of the Legado saddles. But the point is, the early Voltaires were so bad that they literally fell apart. [/QUOTE]

Interesting. There is one early Voltaire in particular at my barn that the guy isn’t even having restitched anymore. It was previously owned by one of the first GP riders to endorse the brand, so I know it’s an oldie. I had never heard about the quality issues, apart from this one guy I know. And just about everyone at the barn where I ride has a Voltaire.