What is the closest saddle to an old Stubben Siegfried?

[propspony]

So, after a lifetime of riding h/j I switched to western a few years ago because of my back. The angle that the saddles put my hip/back/legs in caused enough pain and numbness that I finally gave up. Over the years I rode in a Crosby XL-H, a Crosby Sofride, and then a CWD. All with the same results. Switching to a western saddle fixed about 90% of the issues.

However, I’ve recently started riding my mare in my barn owners 55+ year old Stubben Siegfried. (good god what did they MAKE those things out of? The leather feels nicer than some of the new saddles in the barn) and… like in my western saddle, I have no back pain or weakness/numbness in my legs at all.

What is there out there that is similar to the Stubben Siegfried? It has a super deep seat that also feels very wide, and a narrow twist… but… outside of that… I don’t even know where I would start looking.

Anyone have any ideas? It would be really nice to be able to ride my mare as a hunter again sometimes…

[Scribbler]

Why not buy an old Stubbens for $150, spend $300 getting it reflocked, and enjoy? There’s lots out there on the resale market!

[propspony]

I’d just be really worried at that age about broken trees, or disintegrating leather… especially since I"d probably have to buy it sight unseen… but… that is a good idea. I’ll go check around a bit.

[Hej]

@propspony

I’d just be really worried at that age about broken trees, or disintegrating leather… especially since I"d probably have to buy it sight unseen… but… that is a good idea. I’ll go check around a bit.

You’ll should be able to find one that you can take on trial from a tack shop that sells used saddles on line. (Ricks Heritage Saddlery in VA, M&M in NC, etc).

These shops sell a lot of used saddles and check them carefully before accepting them for consignment, an individual seller may or may not have the knowledge to do that.

Stubbens are excellent quality saddles, even an old one (if it’s been reasonably cared for) will give many more years of service. The Siegfried is still made, btw, if you really want to break in a new saddle.

[propspony]

A friend of mine had an Imperator growing up. It was wacky looking! There are some good ideas here, thank you!

[Scribbler]

If you look on the Stubben home site, from Germany, you can see all their current models. Not everything apparently is distributed to the States. That is also true with bridles. They have much more selection in bridles on the home site than the American site. And, they have a Siegfried! You will have to decide how closely it resemebles those 40 year old saddles. It’s clearly a jump saddle, not an AP.

https://stuebben.com/springsattel-siegfried.html

And I am assuming these are the discounted demo models being sold off:

https://stuebben.com/springsattel-siegfried-s-17-tobacco-0034.html

Interestingly the American dealer whose FB feed I get is all about the pink and blue piping and the sparkles. I really prefer these more traditional saddles on the German page!

[propspony]

I guess I could also send them the serial number and ask them what would be the closest that they had to this particular saddle too! Thank you! The american site was not particularly helpful!

[Bogie]

Middleburgh Tack Exchange has several used ones. I’ve bought a few saddles from them and they are always fairly represented and well priced. https://www.middleburgtack.com/copy-of-all-purpose.

I evented in one for awhile but it put me in a chair seat. I now ride in a Jeffries JMX. They are discontinued, but if you can find one they are amazing.

[ZELLA]

I believe the Thornhill JC Berlin is a copy of the Siegfried…if not that, it’s a copy of another similar Stubben model. I’ve had a Berlin for 15 years and strongly recommend it; great saddle for the price, and it is available to fit very wide horses.

[Equestrian24]

I have a Courbette Husar (actually two of them), which is very similar to a Stübben Siegfried. I love it!

Siegfrieds can be found used for a good price very easily and are really nice saddles. I honestly trust them, even as old as they are, more than many of the newer saddles that are not even half of the quality. Of course, it depends on the care it’s received, too.

[Nickelodian]

@Bluey

Don’t know if you are interested, but a lady some years ago lost her job, told me she needed the money for tires before she drove too far on her old car.
She had some odds and ends of tack and this Stubben saddle and she wanted $200 for all.
She said she bought the saddle in Minnesota from a 4H kid leaving for college.

The saddle is a 17 1/2", solid and tree whole.
Looks to be in very nice shape, other than someone took the knee roll’s leather off, leaving the rolls there?
Don’t know why or how that happened, she didn’t either.
She had been trail riding like that without any trouble for the years she had it.
No one will notice with the flap down unless looking closely at it.

We never did use the saddle, took the stirrups and leathers off for another saddle and it just sits in the tack room.

If you want it, just PM an address and it is yours, free.
If it doesn’t work for you, maybe you have someone there that could use it?

Just took these this morning:

I have no other input, but this is such a nice offer! Thanks for the feel-good this week!

[propspony]

@Nickelodian

I have no other input, but this is such a nice offer! Thanks for the feel-good this week!

It is, and on top of everything it was in perfect condition and fit my horse and I like it was a custom saddle!

absolutely amazing!

Thank you again!

[beowulf]

@Bluey how sweet and generous :yes: so glad to hear it works for you, propspony.

[GrumpyMare]

I grew up riding in a Siegfried and recently talked to a Stubben rep about what I might like for trail riding and occasional fox hunting/hill topping. She had me try out the Stubben Roxanne which I loved. I found a used one locally in my size for $1000 and it has been perfect for making me feel secure but looking a bit more modern.

[propspony]

@GrumpyMare

I grew up riding in a Siegfried and recently talked to a Stubben rep about what I might like for trail riding and occasional fox hunting/hill topping. She had me try out the Stubben Roxanne which I loved. I found a used one locally in my size for $1000 and it has been perfect for making me feel secure but looking a bit more modern.

Good to know!

[Xctrygirl]

For anyone else looking I can point you to a mint condition 19" one.

Em