Now that I’ve looked at hundreds of saddles over the last ~6 weeks I am ready to give up on what my fitter told me to look for. So, what fits like a Stubben? Here are the criteria I was assigned to look for:
Stubben Portos or similar, 17.5/29, long tree points, wool panels, gusset, forward flap.
I’ll add, needs to be suitable for the hunter ring so no monoflaps or wild color piping. I really want a very flat seat which I’m not convinced Stubben even offers?
I just got smacked with a $5k vet bill so not looking to order anything new right now.
Anyone versed in saddles able to give me a couple other things to look for?
There’s a Stubben Portos, 17.5 seat (but a 31 width), used, at Pelham Saddlery:
https://www.pelhamsaddlery.net/jumping175/stubben26752used.html
You could try contacting them (they do remote fittings) and seeing what other saddles they have or whether they think this Portos would (perhaps) work with some additional padding.
Good luck!
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They also have a County Innovation, 17.5 seat in a Narrow width that looks interesting.
https://www.pelhamsaddlery.net/jumping175/county27206used.html
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Thanks! Pelham is on my list of ~50 used saddle places I check every day 
I’ll check out the County; I remember I trialed one from them several years ago but forget what about it didn’t fit.
A Stubben fits like a Stubben. If you are needing a Stubben, buy a Stubben. I paid $100 for a flat, hunter type Stubben. I believe that it’s a “Stubben Sigfried II”. It’s old. In great shape of course, quality old saddles were built to last as long as they are not abused badly. They are out there.
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Thanks, I was wondering that. It’s hard for me to understand how my horse’s back became so brand-loyal and how there is apparently only one manufacturer who wants to sell me a saddle for him. But that’s why I asked!
I’m an oldie, and grew up riding and showing in Stubbens, so I have to agree with this. In the last decade I’ve had a squishy soft Antares that I loved, and showed my friend’s horse in her CWD. But in my heart of hearts, my butt has been conditioned, I guess, to love the feel of a Stubben. And gosh dang, they last forever.
The key is finding the right one to fit you and your horse because Stubben has so many options. Maybe try contacting a Stubben rep and explaining what you’re looking for?
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Counties typically have much shorter tree points than a Stubben, especially the jump saddles. Not french short, but not Stubben long.
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Thank you! I was avoiding reaching out because I don’t want to be sold something new right now. But I will try that route.
To clarify, I’m not asking for additional recommendations in order to buy something trendier or fancier than a Stubben. I have a Stubben now (that doesn’t fit either of us) and my favorite saddle is some old hard Centaur that is probably older than me. My complaint was that what I’m looking for is hard to find, so I wanted to widen the search criteria 
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I recently got a Stubben Ascend. I ride Hunters and like a flat seat and this saddle fits the bill for both. I’ve also been told the Stubben Camelot is flat, but it’s an older model and hard to find.
Bates Elevation makes a flat seat model for the Hunter ring.
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Thanks for the tip! Never heard of the Camelot, I will add it to my search. I’m glad to know you’re liking the Ascend. They were catching my eye on the used Stubben site!
I am still using my 16" Stubben Rex, that is in excellent shape, I bought in '71.
Used it showing in jumpers, then starting colts, most for the race track and doing basic ranch work when suitable for that.
Has been a good fit for practically most horses I ever used it on, considering I was a lightweight rider barely hitting over 100 lbs.
Those old saddles, if cared for carefully, will last forever.
Now, there are so many other choices out there, I see why anyone wanting a good fit wonders what to get.
Good luck finding a nice fit for you and your horse.
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Where are you based? I have a Schleese Jete that might be something you’d like. If you’re in Fl, feel free to message me.
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Thanks but I’m in Pa
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There is a Stubben group on FB that would give you an idea of prices.
I had a Stubben Get Connected that is similar to the Portos but more open. Unfortunately, it never really fit my long leg and I recently sold it.
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I have a Stubben Rex, made in Ireland, great saddle, sadly no horse anymore.
Mine was made in Switzerland.
Bought it thru Kaufmann in NYC.
We were on the Midwest show circuit and they delivered to us on a show in Milwaukee.
Was using a borrowed Stubben Roxanne that was too large for me.
Without thinking it thru I rode that new saddle in the next class.
Saddle was so slick, horse had a powerful jump, I kept getting almost jumped out of the tack each jump!
I even made it to the jump-off and it was not funny then, but had plenty of laughs about that later.
Moral of my story, OP, whatever saddle you try, be sure you are where you can get off right away if it doesn’t fit.
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My old saddle that doesn’t fit anymore and I had to get a County is a Stubben Siegfried.
Hit me up with a Pm.
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I love my Stubben Ascend. I bought mine new. I needed a wider tree than most that are available used (31) and a forward flap. It is totally hunter appropriate. I love it and was coming off a Beval Devon 2000. My trainer loves it. She has 5 Beval Devon 2000’s in her program. 3 were previously owned by me.
My Ascend has very subtle blue stitching and piping for a little fun.
Where in PA are you? I am SE PA if you want to see mine in person.
I had a Stubben Rep out and we tried lots of models. My horse hated the Portos.
My horse is not very big but has wide shoulders and I prefer to ride with a half pad so took that into consideration for the fit. He needed the 31 to accommodate his shoulders. Independent saddle fitter also had me switch from 1st and 3rd billets to 2nd and 3rd billets to allow more shoulder freedom.
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I have seen a couple of the ascends (online) and they do look nice! I’m not sure if the used market is moving faster than I can or if no one is letting go of theirs. Either way I’m having no luck getting my hands on one. Yours sounds beautiful! I’m near Pittsburgh but I appreciate the offer.
I trialed a Zaria this week (beautiful but too narrow at 28, as suspected) and an ancient Edelweiss just showed up for me to try too. It looked to have more forward flaps in the photos - taking it out of the box they look very straight.
Just as well as my horse stepped on his heel today and now I’ll be waiting for that to resolve 
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