Voltaire saddles?? Anyone heard of them??

[SmileItLooksGoodOnYo]

The leather is nice, the saddles are foam flocked and the company was started by a guy who used to be in with devacoux.

It’s no more custom than a CWD or Antrares… they spec a size, flap, width and how much additional lift front, middle and rear on the panels. No more options than any other company, but a reasonably competitive product.

I have a belly guard girth from this company that I like a lot, super quality, not worth the $650 or so they sell them for, but well worth just under $400 I actually paid buying it off a friend.

[SmileItLooksGoodOnYo]

[QUOTE=tidy rabbit;5792785]
Their belly guard girth is beautiful and the brown field boots are to die for!

The rep said they will have bridles available next year.[/QUOTE]

I wear my brown boots with their bellyguard all the time… but my boots are sergios. :yes:

[BAC]

I have no opinion on the rest of the saddle as I have no experience with it, but that striped fabric in the gullet is hideous. I wish people would stick more to tradition instead of getting the “fashion industry” involved. :rolleyes:

[vxf111]

[QUOTE=buddys girl;5856266]
why not buy the original, Devoucoux are great saddles with a great reputation.[/QUOTE]

ORLY?

Emphasis mine.

[Due_s_Mom]

[QUOTE=BAC;5933401]
I have no opinion on the rest of the saddle as I have no experience with it, but that striped fabric in the gullet is hideous. I wish people would stick more to tradition instead of getting the “fashion industry” involved. :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]

Amen. I can’t get past that

[basiaaria]

[QUOTE=fluffy_pony;5855826]
LOL, you’re exaggerating Equidae, anyone can afford a Voltaire cooking apron :eek: :eek: :eek: :

http://voltaire-design.spreadshirt.fr/cooking-apron-A17442933/customize/color/2

Do you guys get your hair done at a massage salon?
Then why would you get your custom saddle from a fashion designer?
There is a thin line between diversification and just plain nonsense, the apron crosses it in my opinion.

I really think the clothes look nice though, I like the colors. I’d definitely order a sweater if it was half the price.

They’ll probably be somewhat successful amongst 15-20 year-old female buyers; which is most of their customers base anyways.
Good job Voltaire!

JMHO[/QUOTE]

This has to be one of the most ignorant replies I’ve ever read. You think because they’re monopolizing their brand they don’t have quality products? Anyone who thinks Voltaires are expensive, for one, are not familiar with the costs associated with professional riding. You won’t find a custom-made saddle that’s cheaper. As for the “fashion”, while I am not a fan of the blue stripes myself, I think the saddle is expertly balanced, very comfortable, and lightweight compared to Devoucouxs. For your information, Voltaire was started by a man who worked for Devoucoux along with Olivier Puychiot, former head of Devoucoux’s saddlemaking workshop.

I chose a Voltaire over a Devoucoux, not for its looks, but for its quality. If it had not been up to par, I would have taken one look at those stripes and tossed it, because they are truly hideous. But the saddle itself is wonderful and it has made a world of difference in my riding.

[FLeventer]

I have ridden in devoucouxs for quite some time and I thought that I really liked them. Yep I was wrong. Loved the voltaire. Made in france, better service, and just a nice saddle to ride in. I got mine and now the barn has 4 of them and a few belly guard girths. I still have my prestige eventer, but ehh the voltaire is really my fave saddle to ride in.

For the people who are knocking the colors and stuff, it really looks like a normal saddle when you are riding in it. Also they are kind of cool. Gives it a flair.

[Limone]

I got the chance to try one a month or two ago and I can’t compare it to any thing I have ever sat in. I have ridden in everything Butets, CWDs, Devocouxs, Antares everything you could imagine I have sat in. I have owned Butets for the last 10 years or so and was not in the market for a new saddle because all of my horses are comfortable in my Butets. That being said a dealer came to the barn for another rider to try the Voltaire and my trainer suggested I try it. No need to even consider buying one but why not put it on. I was on one of my horses I hadn’t ridden in months (he is leased out) and he is hard to fit, it fit him beautifully and the balance was incredible. I tried a friends Voltaire on my mare the next day just to see how she felt in it. My mare is a good mover and a good jumper normally but I have never felt her like how she feels in a Voltaire and I have had her for 5 years. She floats, her shoulder is so free that her very comfortable trot now has some spring to it (in a good way) she feels incredible and jumps 10 times better then ever, which is surprising because she has always jumped well. My balance is amazing in the saddle I can’t explain it but if you get the chance to ride in one jumping really shows off the saddle you will be amazed. I now have one on order and I can’t wait for it to get here! I am trading in my 4 year old Butet, keeping my other Butet and got my new saddle for less then half of what they are offered for. The customer service was incredible and the saddle is the best balanced saddle I have ever sat in. That being said I don’t like the fabric on the gullet but it’s not goign to kill me. The saddle is worth it even though I don’t like a cosmetic feature. See looks aren’t everything!

[Collegebound121]

Limone- Which saddle did you end up with?

[TheHorseProblem]

I know the gullet is gimicky, but so many people at my barn ride in them, and honestly, I never notice the stripes.

[Gottaride1]

I just bought a used one and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I tried dozen saddles or so (Antares was WAY too bulky for me, Delgrange was nice but the air-filled panels going shoosh shooosh shoosh all the time was distracting, didn’t like my position in a new Pessoa). So far it fits a variety of horses, is well-balance, it has made huge improvements to my position and is made of very soft yet grippy leather (handy on a windy, spooky day I just found out). The quality is superb. AND I have to say I like the bright underside - its a little like a mullet - business on the topside, party underneath (not that I like mullets but it is nice and bright under those saddle flaps but you cannot see the bright, happy stripes when someone is riding). The fabric billet covers are a little hard to keep pristeenly clean (especially this one a few years old) but I plan to take some Oxiclean to those parts this week and see what happens). Overall, this is a high quality saddle and even though this one is a few years old, it is soft yet durable, comfortable, and it looks great too!!!

[mvp]

[QUOTE=mimimalone;6178660]
AND I have to say I like the bright underside - its a little like a mullet - business on the topside, party underneath (not that I like mullets but it is nice and bright under those saddle flaps but you cannot see the bright, happy stripes when someone is riding).[/QUOTE]

Like a mullet… business on the top, party underneath.

That’s awesome.

[horsechick]

[QUOTE=mvp;6178677]
Like a mullet… business on the top, party underneath.

That’s awesome.[/QUOTE]

agreed!

contemplating trading my Castelow that has never fit in and trying one of these…

[wanderlust]

I have one coming on trial tomorrow, hoping it will fit my wide, big-shouldered horse. So far, the Voltaire folks have been very easy to work with and communication has been great. I’ll report back after I’ve ridden in it.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=horsechick;6178711]
agreed!

contemplating trading my Castelow that has never fit in and trying one of these…[/QUOTE]

You’d trade a (pretty) Castelow for one of these?

I know the Castelow doesn’t fit. But man, on paper that’s the better-fitting saddle.

Testdrive carefully, eh?

[Kalele]

A handful of people have Voltaires at my barn and I love the two I’ve ridden in. You can’t see the striped gullet unless it’s on a saddle rack. I don’t even notice it anymore.

[horsechick]

[QUOTE=mvp;6178730]
You’d trade a (pretty) Castelow for one of these?

I know the Castelow doesn’t fit. But man, on paper that’s the better-fitting saddle.

Testdrive carefully, eh?[/QUOTE]

It has never fit me…fits the horse OK, but honestly when you look at me in it from the side it looks like I’m in a rowboat. It is IMPOSSIBLE to hold my position in let alone over bigger fences on a horse with a powerful jump. For some reason he made me an 18 when I ride in a 17. It’s frustrating as I do love the saddles (this is my second) but I’d love to find one that will help me stay in place. And I kinda like the stripes

[eclipse]

And the fact that I could buy one that’s named after my city, Calgary. :lol: I wonder how they decided on names for different styles?

[GingerJumper]

I’ve seen most of their line in person and I have to say, they’re gorgeous. I’m a bit partial to my current saddle (mainly because I hate breaking saddles in!) but if I ever need a new one, I will definitely look at Voltaires.

[kashmere]

[QUOTE=eclipse;6179721]
And the fact that I could buy one that’s named after my city, Calgary. :lol: I wonder how they decided on names for different styles?[/QUOTE]

It’s their way of Jedi Mind-tricking you into thinking that this saddle will enable you to get to Spruce Meadows :lol: