I LOVE my Voltaire saddle. I wasn’t even looking for a new saddle, as I had a Tad Coffin that I loved, and CWD that I also quite like. But I got the Palm Beach in full calf, and BOY OH BOY, I LOVE THIS SADDLE. It’s grippy without being sticky. The short flap fits me perfectly, and I feel like it puts my leg and set in a great position. My mare goes very well in it and now it’s the only saddle I really like riding in.
I bought one over a year ago- used, Palm Beach, full buffalo. The nicest saddle I have sat in. Super grippy and ultra comfortable. I have a difficult to fit horse, but he does well with a custom shim half pad. A few people who have ridden in it feel the seat is a little to deep for their taste, but I think it’s perfect. I ride 3-5 days a week and it is holding up beautifully. Customer support from both Voltaire and my local (southeast) rep has been amazing.
[QUOTE=authentic pony;7873046]
Small Change, you guys must have taken home the demo that I sat in! They told me I could take it home to try, and when I came to pick it up they said it had just been sold and the man was going to get his credit card. I was super bummed but glad I got to sit in a Voltaire finally! They are just as lovely as I thought they would be. [/QUOTE]
I bet it is the same saddle. Rest assured it has a good home. 
I feel badly for almost literally taking it out from under you, but it is such a lovely saddle and fits my husband so well that we just couldn’t pass on it.
Small Change, Do we have a Canadian Rep? I ALSO at in a demo Palm Beach, and was interested in buying it! lol! Id love to get in contact with them again about the saddles but wasn’t sure that we even had one in our neck of the woods.
LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.
Love so much that when they asked to sponsor our farm, we had a resounding YES! I literally JUST got my Palm Beach in the last few weeks (I was riding in a demo Palm Beach), and boy am I in love. There’s a reason they’re taking the equestrian world by storm.
First, our rep is amazing. One of the kindest women I have ever met. She truly cares about my horse and remembers things about him, and myself. She’s always texting me making sure everything is working out well.
Second, I have not felt as amazing of a ride in any other saddle but this one. My horse just goes BETTER in my Voltaire.
Third, I have a secure ride. My Palm Beach is full calf with grain at the bottom of the flap, along with a second skin. It’s grippy without being too sticky.
I also fell in love with their leather balsam!!! Soooo beautiful when the leather is all clean and soft!!!
I ride at least 2 horses a day - soon to be more - and the horses change every day. I ride in a college barn (SCAD - go Bees!!!) so I’m riding different shaped horses all the time, and the voltaire I’ve been riding in until I got mine (a Pro panel) was working great! The Fin panel that mine is should work even better! I can’t wait to take it back to SCADwith me after the holidays and try it on all of the school horses!
I also agree with the poster who said the leathers are to die for, I love mine!!!
[QUOTE=Such Life;7877835]
Small Change, Do we have a Canadian Rep? I ALSO at in a demo Palm Beach, and was interested in buying it! lol! Id love to get in contact with them again about the saddles but wasn’t sure that we even had one in our neck of the woods.[/QUOTE]
Yes we do! He’s a rider/trainer based in the Montreal area. I can’t find the card he gave me just at this moment, but I’ll keep looking. Maybe the company themselves could put you in touch with him?
Help, please. Can someone weigh in about balance? I have a really good lower leg, and ride in a 16 " flat Butet. The Palm Beach I am trying puts my leg behind me, and tips me forward so that I can’t keep my balance. Is that because the seat is too small?
I’m a Devoucoux convert to Voltaire! This past year I bought a Palm Beach (Second Skin) with full buffalo.
- They do run small: I'm a 17 in a Devoucoux Biarritz, but 17.5" in a Palm Beach
- They have a multitude of flap sizes: I have short legs with a short thigh so I chose their shortest and least forward flap
- The seat is really comfortable and a Goldilocks "just right" for me; deep enough so I can do some quality dressage work (I take my dressage lessons in the saddle), but not so deep I have to swim to get into two point.
- The buffalo leather is absolutely out of this world. It's very grippy! My horse has a jump that pops you out of the saddle, so it has made it a little easier to handle his jump.
- For saddle fit, they have FOUR areas that they can stuff/take away padding, while CWD and Devoucoux only have three. This was really important for me, because the "curvy" trees of a lot of the European saddles did not work for my horse; there would be a lot of rocking. However, Voltaire was able to accommodate my horse's straight back. The saddle doesn't not rock ONE BIT. It was quite amazing since the rep sent me a saddle based on a few pictures of my horse's back and it was PERFECT. This was after a nightmare with Devoucoux and their "saddle fitting".
Highly recommend for you to at least consider them. I went with them after looking at CWD, Antares, and Devoucoux (bought a Devoucoux, returned it due to horrible fit, immediately bought my Palm Beach).
[QUOTE=farmgirl;7878203]
Help, please. Can someone weigh in about balance? I have a really good lower leg, and ride in a 16 " flat Butet. The Palm Beach I am trying puts my leg behind me, and tips me forward so that I can’t keep my balance. Is that because the seat is too small?[/QUOTE]
When I got my palm beach, I did have to change my body a little (for the better - trainer has said my equitation has improved with this saddle). The saddle was different from the Devoucoux Biarritz I had been riding in for the past 5 years, so I was a little catawampus. I shortened my stirrups, gave it time for me to readjust to a different saddle, and now I am perfectly happy (I can ride with dressage length long stirrups to 3’6" stirrup length and feel balanced in everything in between).
It also may be the way it fits on your horse’s back. If you look at the saddle and if you see that it’s not perfectly straight on his back, you will be insecure.
When I first got my Palm Beach it significantly changed the position of my lower leg. I’ve always struggled with keeping my lower leg under neath me and the Palm Beach put it exactly where it has needed to be for the past 20 years.
It was temporarily crippling because the change was so significant but that didn’t last long.
Compared to a flat Butet, the seat may be too small. I have a 17.5 in Voltaire and can comfortably ride in a 16 in Butet.
As far as stirrup bar placement, not sure how they compare.
I’m with the others who said that it did change their way of riding in the beginning. I’m still in the transition phase, but it’s helping my position for the better. I just have to really focus on staying centered and having my leg under under under me.
Canadian Voltaire Rep: Francis Berger
francis@voltaire-design.com
C: (519) 924 - 4035
www.voltaire-design.com
Will a rep come to the barn with a variety of saddles/sizes/etc to try so you can see which works best for you and your horse(s) or do they simply ship a demo one to try? I am curious to see if my position/riding changes enough to warrant a different saddle (currently have an Antares hampton classic). Everyone seems to rave about Voltaire on here! I also saw there is a Welli model on the website but without and info…anyone have an idea what the difference between this saddle and the Palm Beach model might be? Thanks in advance….
[QUOTE=msbrown246;7880181]
Will a rep come to the barn with a variety of saddles/sizes/etc to try so you can see which works best for you and your horse(s) or do they simply ship a demo one to try? I am curious to see if my position/riding changes enough to warrant a different saddle (currently have an Antares hampton classic). Everyone seems to rave about Voltaire on here! I also saw there is a Welli model on the website but without and info…anyone have an idea what the difference between this saddle and the Palm Beach model might be? Thanks in advance….[/QUOTE]
Yes, they will!!! It’s awesome, they let you try anything you want, even if you’re not interested in buying that saddle. Our rep was awesome and planned to spend an entire day with us trying saddles (me and two others). She spent like 5-6 hours and let me ride all three of my horses in everything I wanted to ride in.
I haven’t heard of the Wellington model…
Oh, it’s a coming soon model! I can ask my rep for specs if you’re interested.
oh i would be interested to hear what the well model is and how it differs from the others…thank you!
[QUOTE=StormWarriorC;7880461]
Oh, it’s a coming soon model! I can ask my rep for specs if you’re interested.[/QUOTE]
Hi there, kafesoap, Thanks for this. I was able to ride in a 17 over the weekend (as opposed to the 16.5) and the difference in my balance was significantly better - stunningly so, actually. I will try to find a 17.5 just to compare. Thank you.
[QUOTE=kafesoap;7878865]
When I first got my Palm Beach it significantly changed the position of my lower leg. I’ve always struggled with keeping my lower leg under neath me and the Palm Beach put it exactly where it has needed to be for the past 20 years.
It was temporarily crippling because the change was so significant but that didn’t last long.
Compared to a flat Butet, the seat may be too small. I have a 17.5 in Voltaire and can comfortably ride in a 16 in Butet.
As far as stirrup bar placement, not sure how they compare.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=farmgirl;7885399]
Hi there, kafesoap, Thanks for this. I was able to ride in a 17 over the weekend (as opposed to the 16.5) and the difference in my balance was significantly better - stunningly so, actually. I will try to find a 17.5 just to compare. Thank you.[/QUOTE]
You are most welcome!
Do experiment with flap variations as well if you can. I rode in a 3A flap last night and found it to be even easier for me to ride in than my 2A. I had always found it challenging to “get light” in my tack in my 2A. I always felt like I was leaning forward/off balance vs lightening my seat. Problem solved in the 3A. Same seat size.
Hi, Does anyone know if the Voltaire trees are adjustable? I have a barnmate selling one that fits me perfectly, and seems to my fit my horse well, except in the tree where it’s too wide. If the trees aren’t adjustable, could it be repaneled to narrow the width? I’ve sent an email to Voltaire but thought someone here might have the knowledge!
Thanks,
mm
The trees are not adjustable, but they can repanel the saddle to alter its fit to your horse.
They have many panel options.
I was recently quoted $450 to repanel my saddle but ended up trading in and buying a new one instead.:yes:
