OK this is the first time I’ve started a post with the new format, so if this doesn’t come out right, that’s my excuse.
I have a weakness, for quality old hunter saddles. You know, the old ones that aren’t “in fashion” any more. I ride in “true” close contact hunter saddles, can’t stand those cushy padded “new” saddles that people buy these days. I’m old, and a product of the 1980’s hunter/jumper divisions, and I still like the old type of minimalist saddles. I own two Courbette Stylists (a medium and a narrow), a Passier Century, several Crosby PDN and Olympic (just like a PDN but with a suede knee patch with no padding under it), and my old race gallop saddle, a “beavertail” the epitome of minimalism for maximum security in the tack. And obviously, I have a weakness and a collection of old saddles as a result. It’s a cheap hobby, what can I say?
So recently, I saw an ad for a few old saddles for sale. One being a Stubben, and a close contact Hermes copy type of saddle. I’m a sucker for “quality”, and Stubben qualifies. It was located 5 hours from me (one way), and I’m not going to be driving 10 hours to look at a saddle that I don’t actually need (but am curious about) that IS my size, with a $100 price tag. So a ride was found to bring it to me to look at last night. And “surprise!!!” I bought it. Out there on the side of the highway, in the dark. Can’t try it out yet, as winter’s grip has not yet loosened here, but it may fit something I have here. It’s not in pristine shape (of course), but the tree is fine, billets show little wear, a couple of scuffs, and the leather is dry. So I’ve treated the leather this morning, and she’s looking happier now. But I can’t find the actual MODEL name, “STUBBEN” is stamped all over everything, but no model. I owned a Sigfried many years ago, with the knee rolls and deeper seat, it’s not that… it’s a flat close contact jumping saddle without knee pads or padding of any sort, with a square cantle. One distinguishing factor is that the flaps that cover the stirrup bars have a little point on them, they aren’t quite round. I just noticed that this morning, thought it was odd. Just a slight point. Can anyone help me find what the name of this model of Stubben saddle?
I tried googling it, but can’t find any picture of anything that looks like what is sitting in my tackroom now.
Maybe try contacting Stubben North America?
I am the owner of a circa 1985 Portos I that sat neglected in my barn for almost 10yrs.
A cleaning with Murphy’s, followed by a little Hamanol conditioner & the leather is restored. Cannot say the same for the metal stirrup bars. Still workable, but need rechroming.
A Stubben Edelweiss maybe?
This one?
Wow, I think that this might be it! So it is a Siegfried, but a different model of Siegfried than the regular one? This picture seems to have the mild points on the stirrup flaps that I noticed. And no padding. How odd that they still call it a Siegfried LOL. Mine is a 17 inch.
Thanks so much for the info!
Becarefull with stubbens that old. I have found a lot of them are dry rotted and not safe to ride in. You don’t notice until something bad has happened.
I work in a saddle shop that consigns a lot of older saddles, and I’m always amazed at how different the Siegfrieds look from one another. Seat depth, flap length and set, padding, etc., all different. Why Stubben didn’t give the different styles their own model names, who knows. Even the All Purpose saddles are called Siegfrieds.
Reminds me of how George Foreman named all of his sons, George. 
Made in the 1990’s is not that old for a Stubben. According to a friend, who owns a couple much older Siegfrieds. Think hers are from the 1970’s or earlier. 
That should be fine. I thought you were talking about earlier. I just do not want anyone to get hurt.
I love those old saddles and have a decent collection of them as well! Mine are 2 Courbette Husars, a Crosby Prix des Nations, a Crosby Sovereign, a plain flap Collegiate Graduate, and a no name saddle that was my first saddle as a kid that is just a keepsake. Love Stübben as well!
I’m thinking the Siegfried II was a square cantle flat model? Siegfried CS, maybe? The Wotan was a plain flap, but had a round cantle. Around what era do you think it is from?
Yes, it has the square cantle. It’s definately the Siegfried II, looks just like the pic above. I’ve just soaped it again, it’s sucking up all the luvin’. Looking good. I’m glad there are still a few of us around who appreciate these older works of art, no plastic, lots of hand sewing. So easy to keep the lower leg secure when the knee is not pinned into some big bulky knee roll, and I like to be able to move in a saddle. No “thigh blocks” for me. Real leather, not some sort of painted crap. I like old trucks too, no computers, lots of steel. Things that don’t break easily, not made to be replaced in a couple years. No “planned obsolescence”. Classic quality. But hey, we are the rogues in today’s society.
I was leading my jumper around at a show, and some kid I was showing against glanced up at my saddle as we went by, and said “Whoa, old school”. Made me smile. I beat her in the class. Don’t be trying to teach your grandmother to suck eggs.
PS. I have a local saddler who can replace billets as necessary, if necessary. It’s cheap and easy to do with the ones I’ve had done already.
I was pretty low-budget when I showed, so the Stubben had to do double-duty for Hunters & Dressage.
Hunter Dowagers (too old for Princess) turned up their noses & asked my trainer why I rode “in a toilet” 
Joke was on them & their PDNs when we took the Champ or Reserve - enough to end up EOY Reserve AA 
A Dressage BNT (O rated) once kindly suggested a different saddle, but said no more when I explained I could afford just the one.
I feel the same way about the quality of the old stuff vs. today! I just can’t get excited about most of the newer leather goods, but love every bit of older tack I own! The good thing is it’s relatively cheap when you find it for sale, and the fact that it’s no longer “in” means there’s more of it for us, lol!
I hear ya, sistah!
