Renaissance Saddles by Prestige- who has experience with them? Thoughts? Interested in any and all feedback. I am thinking of making the switch from my Voltaire, which is not a great fit for my current horse (tree is too wide and panels needs to be redone. No amount of repaneling will fix the tree though). From what I understand, the Renaissance tree is much more customizable than most French saddles. I rode in one this weekend and quite liked it, and I plan to show in it this week. I really trust the rep, as I have known her many years. Does anyone know the approximate price point? Iām assuming itās in line with the other French saddles, but figured Iād ask. I also heard they can make them in wool. If you have experience with them, please share your thoughts!
You could also ask the reo?
I havenāt ridden in one myself, but have heard really great things about them! Plus they are beautiful! I heard they are a little less than new CWDs/Voltaires etc. Please keep us updated on how you like it, if you buy etc.
I havenāt ridden in one, but I have heard really good things. Granted, your fitter/whomever fits you will make the biggest impact on if you or your horse likes the saddle. I think they start at roughly ~$6k? If I remember correctly. Iāve been told they feel like the Butetās before FB left Butet because FB helped design the saddles with Prestige.
I know if youāre in TX that Cindy Aruna moved to Renaissance from Butet (now owned by the LIM Company) and is really enjoying them. She was at Pin Oak and does fittings in the N TX area. She might also be able to answer any of your questions about them and their fitting.
I will definitely report back! I should have a better idea of what direction I am going in after this week.
Thank you so much, this is very helpful! Sounds like the pricing is in line with Voltaire. I like to mentally prepare before getting into serious price conversations with a rep.
I have sat in older Butets that I loved, and from what I remember of them the Renaissance definitely feels similar. Thank you for the rep information as well, itās much appreciated.
Is anyone familiar w their bridles?
Iāve seen and felt one and I quite liked it. It didnāt have the āfinishā that Iāve seen on some bridles (like Bruno Delgrange).
Is the padding overwhelming? I like the Butet bridle, but it was overwhelming on my Horseās face, as is the Edgewood w padding.
Hmm itās definitely padded. I donāt think itās as padded as the wide nose padded Edgewood though (which I have). I also have the wide nose but non-padded Edgewood, maybe you would like that one? Pic below.
Yepā¦that IS what I have nowš. What good taste you have!
I had a good experience with our Prestige rep and liked several of the saddles. I liked the adjustability between the trees and the flocking (synthetic wool seemed to be the default, not sure if they offer a foam panel or not). They had a wide range of models so I felt like you could really get any combo of twist/seat depth/flaps/etc that you wanted, even to tiny degrees of difference. The Renaissance saddles I sat in all had a very minimalist feel to them. The price I was quoted for the one I liked was $7500 (Iām pretty sure that was the price for a new one, but could have been for the newer demo). My rep was also offering discounts on older-model Renaissance demos which was a very attractive deal, but I ended up liking one of the Prestige line saddles better so went with that one instead. The rep herself seemed pretty knowledgeable and was great to work with which was an added bonus.
UPDATE:
I took the plunge! I worked with Aruna of Double Oak Tack and ordered a Renaissance. Thank you @Belmont for the rec, and @dmveventer for giving me a heads up on the price, as I always like to know what Iām walking into beforehand.
I test rode two different seats (semi flat and medium deep) and ended up going with the medium deep seat and wool flocking. I really liked that Renaissance offers 9 different tree sizes, and the ability to make small adjustments to the wool will be wonderful since my guy is young and still growing. Hopefully my new saddle will be here in 2.5 months!
Congrats! The medium-deep was my favorite of the Renaissance models, and itās just such a gorgeous saddle.
I just had my rep back out last week to adjust the flocking in the Prestige I have on trial (sheād already adjusted the tree before dropping it off) and Iāve been really pleased with the process. Obviously itāll depend on your rep but mine was able to make some tiny changes in the flocking that made a noticeable difference in how my horse moved. He was going fine but not as well as I know he can, and she really stuck with me trying to figure out what might be holding him back, where a lot of reps would have just said he was going fine and called it a day. The customer service alone is already making me feel like the extra $$$ for this saddle is worth it.
Bumping up this thread b/c Iām having a fitting for a Renaissance next week!
@HJdaydream - How did it turn out with yours?
@AAHunterGal I couldnāt be happier with it! The wool has been adjusted slightly about 3 times, which is wonderful because my guy was 6 when purchased and now heās 8, and his shape has changed with growth and muscling. Canāt recommend them enough for those that like a balanced non-bulky feel.
Hooray!! This is exactly what I was hoping you would say, I LOVE riding in older Butets but donāt love them for horses. I really like how Renaissance saddles have modern technology and design, a wool flocking option, AND an adjustable composite based tree - it feels like youāre buying with the reality that things are going to have to change. My guy is also currently 6 and will definitely fill out his topline as he gets fitter. Canāt wait to try them next week!
UPDATE
I am now the proud owner of a Renaissance F2S! I wound up just buying the demo saddle since all of the āstandardā flaps/blocks worked for me, and itās wool flocked for my boy, so weāll need to ride in it for a while and adjust if needed in a few months. I prefer the flatter seat since I ride primarily in 2-point and the F2S has a higher cantle and a roomier width in case you need to adjust/sit.
I really feel like I am more free in my position without feeling loose in the tack. My horse is coming through his back and seems happier over the jump (ears forward consistently now instead of partially back as before).
I HIGHLY recommend them for anyone who wants the feel of an old school french saddle with more modern tech/design for the horse!
Yay! So happy you and your horse are loving it. 
Do these saddles have the option to add front gussets, or at least leave room in the paneling for more lift? I have a TB who isnāt shark finned by any means but has a pretty angular back and withers and needs lift along the entire panel to clear them. My close contact is a foam paneled LāApogee and I love the feel of it, but it needs a prolite pad to lift it enough to get the clearance I need and therefore isnāt a long term option if I start jumping more. My dressage saddle is a Stubben and I like how close newer Stubbens feel, but I ultimately love the more minimal French saddles to jump in.
