Anyone know how to read the Voltaire stamps? I’m looking at one with the following info on the stamp. I know the 13 is the year, the 18 is the seat size, and the 2A is the flap size but can someone help me with the others? Thanks!!!
934
13
18
2A
PRO
B10
D10
So the PRO refers to their Pro panel design, it is similar to the CWD concept where it is supposed to fit a variety of horses. When I first heard that I kinda thought “no way, fits all = fits none” but my Voltaire Pro panel saddle has actually fit the bill perfectly - I don’t own a horse but ride a variety in my role as a groom and with the help of a shimmed half pad my saddle is used on 4-5 horses.
Not as well as a saddle meant for that horse of course but it gets the job done better then I thought. Now the rep did look at the involved horses and get a sense for their shapes. Anyways long story short that what pro panels are. The B10 and D10 refer to the front and back panels - there doesn’t seem to be A panels ever (Ler me rephrase that I have never encountered A panels but I am no expert!) the B panel is the front one that goes along the shoulder and then there is C, being the mid zone imagine maybe a saddle that bridges on a certain horse might need C added, and then D is the rear most panels. The number 10 refers to the amount of lift/padding that they have added to whatever the base dimensions of the Pro Panels are. I think my Lexington is B10 D15 but we do have an Adelaidw that’s got a C element and I know some of the numbers can be quite pronounced for a tricky horse like only D20 would be a horse that needs a lot of lift behind and nothing in front. As I said only my very rudimentary grasp of it I’m sure the Voltaire people would have a better version !
Thank you! One last question (probably). How much more forward is a 2A flap than a 2AA flap? I’m 5’9 and my inseam is 34".
Bzzy18 covered a lot of good ground, but for more context…
2A flap = regular length, forward flap. That said, it’s highly unusual to see less than a “A” flap on a 17.5" or 18" model. So even though 2A technically means “regular length and forward,” it’s a pretty standard, vanilla flap for that seat size.
B10 = 10 mm aka 1 cm of foam added to the B zone
D10 = 10 mm aka 1 cm of foam added to the D zone
When you see a Voltaire with equal added padding in the B zone and the D zone, it’s typically been customized to fit a horse with a flatter topline. The Voltaire trees are pretty curvy, so the only way to get the panels to lie flat(ter) is to add foam to the front and back. The PRO panel is a nice complement to this since the PRO panel is beveled to lie flatter against the well-sprung ribs that many Warmblood sporthorses have these days.
It’s hard to explain in words how much more forward 2AA is than 2A. But at 5’9" and a 34" inseam, the flap length is the thing that caught my eye. A Voltaire 2 flap is usually around 13.25" long, although that can vary slightly by saddle model. But t your height and inseam length, it’s not unusual to need a 14" flap. But it’s hard to say since everyone’s leg is different, people ride at different stirrup lengths, etc. If in doubt, measure your current saddle flap length and use that to triangulate what you need.
Wow even tho I’m not the OP that was very informative!
I’m 5’9 with a 34-5" inseam but what matters is how long is your thigh. I’m pretty sure my Voltaire jump saddle was 2AA.
It was a great saddle for training and below but I fought the balance on it as I started to jump bigger.
But that is me. Saddle works great for others that I know. LOVED my dressage saddle. Was bummed when my horse said he preferred a different tree shape.
I am looking at a Voltaire saddle and need some help with the stamp.
2818 (number saddle made that year)
17 (2017)
17.5 (seat size)
2AA (double forward flap)
M/M (medium tree)
15 - NO IDEA
Pro (Pro Panels)
A10- 10 mm added to ???
B10- 10 mm added to the shoulder area?
Anyone who can help I’d be grateful!
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