Courbette XC Saddle [Archive]

Carolinadreamin'

Jan. 9, 2009, 02:29 PM

I'm at an eventing barn. Trainer has an older one and pretty much everyone has ridden in it and loved it, no matter their size. Her horse had extremely high withers and it fit him fine.

Since then 3 of the kids have gotten the same saddle with a fourth getting ready to take advantage of the sale price.

Just be aware that it is a very heavy saddle to hoist!

joharavhf

Jan. 9, 2009, 02:42 PM

WOW! Thanks for the heads up on the great price! I'm going to try one out providing they'll take it back if it doesn't fit my horse!

joharavhf

Jan. 9, 2009, 02:55 PM

I just ordered one of the saddles :D

I called first to check the return policy! They allow returns within 30 days in new condition. He said I could girth it up and try it (and I'll put tube socks on the leathers)

I am very excited! Thanks CoTH. I have just spent $2500 on a Stubben and while it was *okay* it wasn't THE saddle....the thought of having a NICE saddle for $900 is tickling. Hopefully it'll fit and I'll love it!

I'll report back!

PS. Free shipping. It's worth it just to try it. Obviously if it doesn't fit I'll have to ship it back...

Zephyr

Jan. 9, 2009, 04:07 PM

Oh, why did I read this thread... NOW I WANT ONE!!!! :)

FLeckenAwesome

Jan. 9, 2009, 04:40 PM

hmm.... wonder if that would fit Fleck too????? He's got a high wither and is a medium (31 cm tree in stubben) with a broader back... Any ideas if it would fit?

Maybe I'll have to give it a go also... that is a good deal.. .and free shipping you say?! hmmmm... can't be more than $50 to ship it back.....

:)

eventersmom

Jan. 9, 2009, 05:10 PM

My daughter has a Courbette Vision for her medium tree broad-backed thoroughbred cross mare. She loves this saddle and it fits her horse extremely well. She used to ride in a Prestige Red Fox which she also liked, but it didn't fit this horse. She likes the Courbette better! We bought ours used for State Line's sale price. What a great deal!

joharavhf

Jan. 9, 2009, 05:38 PM

Well now that I'm reading everyone's "fitting" thoughts, I'm just PRAYING it'll fit my wide backed Welsh cob! He does have withers, but he is pretty flat backed. It has a gussetted panel, and every wide tree gussetted panel saddle I've tried has fit him very well....

Here's some finger crossing!

Rivertide

Jan. 10, 2009, 09:58 PM

I was really sold on the Courbette Vision. I am a long time Courbette fan and it appeared to be the perfect saddle for my needs until I sat in one. Ugh. I found it was too flat for my liking and I didn't like where my leg/knee got placed, especially for XC. It might do for stadium, but even that would be questionable. There are loads of used ones on the market and I would get one on trial to see how you like it. If the Vision doesn't work for you, I would recommend you try the Courbette Aristokrat, which is deeper and more forward.

Best of Luck with the saddle search!

corgigirl14

Jan. 10, 2009, 11:46 PM

I purchased a nice used Vision this summer and I LOVE it! The forward knee rolls are great for cross country. What a great sale! I bought mine used for that sale price. I have a high withered OTTB that it fits very well. It is a heavy saddle though. I also really like the look of the two tone leather.

horserule1

Jan. 11, 2009, 12:04 PM

I have three of them and wouldnt ride in anything else! I have the Courbette Vision Extra for cross country (has more forward flap and slightly larger knee roll) and the regular Vision Close Contact for stadium and the Marcshall (older courbette) for dressage.
The Courbette has saved my butt many times!!! With the back thigh block (after the saddle is broke in of course) it locks your leg in place.
I did a clinic one time with a top upper level eventer who rode my horse in the clinic over some fences and said he didnt like my saddle--i asked why--he said it locked you in too much--and i said isnt that the point--to stay in the saddle???
I do all my riding (hacking too) in the courbette to keep them broke in--it is quite a difference in riding in a new one and and a broke in one. The just get better and better the more you ride in them.
I was a former Stubben fan and have now switched to the courbette only--altho if i could afford it i would get a County (cant remember which model it is--my dressage instructor has one) instead of the Marschall for dressage. The Marschall is ok but a little stiff--of course i only ride in it at shows--use the jumping saddle for everyday dressage work.

TheBrightSide06

Jan. 11, 2009, 01:54 PM

Courbette Visions rock out loud.. Best saddle I have ever ridden in and it fits both my awkwardly shaped Morgan pony and my buff, muscled ISH perfectly!! Has a spring tree too which is a big plus. I have always ridden in a Courbette.

FLeckenAwesome

Jan. 11, 2009, 08:43 PM

Sweet... I just found a friend with one, who LOVES it, and her horse is similar to Fleck, so... I'm going to pick it up tomorrow and try it out. Hopefully if it works... they will still be on sale at SLT!

CarolinaGirl

Jan. 11, 2009, 09:03 PM

I had one for awhile and I liked it. I believe I had the extra fwd version of the vision. It is a heavy saddle though! I now have a Devoucoux and probably won't ever go back lol.

FLeckenAwesome

Jan. 12, 2009, 07:35 AM

okay... So VTO has some other Courbettes on sale also. I noticed the aristokrat and the Galant... anyone know anything about either of those?!

sharri13

Jan. 12, 2009, 08:49 AM

I have the Galant and really love it! The knee and thigh blocks lock your leg in place - very steady, balanced saddle. The leather is fantastic, but out of interest - a friend bought hers slightly used and the leather is not nearly as nice as the leather on my saddle. Same model, same dye, but very different leather quality. I bought mine for my youngster, knowing ihe would grow out of it quickly, and he has! I will now be selling it. Please contact me if you're interested.

cleozowner

Jan. 12, 2009, 12:02 PM

Stubben also has a few saddles for sale--pretty good discounts:
http://www.stubbennorthamerica.com/stuWebsaddles.html

eventerdrew

Jan. 12, 2009, 08:38 PM

texang73

Jan. 13, 2009, 08:50 AM

okay... So VTO has some other Courbettes on sale also. I noticed the aristokrat and the Galant... anyone know anything about either of those?!

I have a Courbette Aristokrat dressage saddle that I LOVE, but it doesn't fit me (pushes my lower leg forward), yet fits the horse... It's only a year and half old, in great condition... PM me if you're interested...

ThoroughbredFancy

Jan. 13, 2009, 09:06 AM

It loos like it would be quite comfy.

The only problem I have with Swiss made Courbettes is the flex tree. I have never met a saddle fitter that liked them or recommended them. I do not like the idea of a flexible tree either.

If it was between that or a Stubben I would go with the Stubben. The Stubben is wool flocked which is better than foam IMO anyways.

joharavhf

Jan. 13, 2009, 12:41 PM

If it was between that or a Stubben I would go with the Stubben. The Stubben is wool flocked which is better than foam IMO anyways.

The courbette that we are talking about on this thread *does* have wool flocking. I agree though, I prefer wool flocked panels over foam. My horse does too. He goes SOOO much better in wool then when I've used foam flocked saddles. He did go well in a CAIR panel though.

FLeckenAwesome

Jan. 13, 2009, 07:07 PM

Argh...so they don't have the size I need in the size Fleck needs on the Aristokrat, so... I don't know. I'm riding in the Vision tomorrow and we'll see how I like that. I just like the all brown a bit better :)

And.. they are wool flocked, so I had looked at that. Don't know anything about the spring tree though....

And.... I LOVE the stuebbens! I would LOVE a roxanne S but... they didn't seem to fit Fleck too well. Which is a shame cause the Stuebben Roxanne dressage saddle fits him great. ??? Perhaps it's the difference in the tree. The dressage is a 32 cm I *think* and the jump was a 31, so maybe I should try the 32 cm Roxanne. ?????

Argh...

Oh, and I'm sorry I sorta hijacked the thread!! Let me know how you like the Vision. I'm riding in my friends tomorrow :)

Romany

Jan. 13, 2009, 07:52 PM

I bought a used Courbette Vision because of all the positive feedback here.

I quite liked it, but found it "held" my leg just a bit too firmly, which surprised me.

I did like the colour scheme - very prettttty.

It was heavy - someone already said that.

I sold it for quite a bit more than I paid for it, so they do hold their *used* value.

Probably should have kept it!

Zephyr

Jan. 13, 2009, 08:46 PM

You guys are killing me, I think I'm going to buy one now! I wasn't even in the market for a new jumping saddle, although my old one doesn't have a foward enough flap for very short stirrups.

FLeckenAwesome

Jan. 16, 2009, 10:03 AM

Okay... So I went ahead and bought one!!! I borrowed a friends and REALLY like it!! I felt very comfy and in a good position, even for flat work. Didn't feel quite as chair seaty as I have in others. I even did a gallop!!! Poor Fleck... he's been doing very little work recently as he's getting over EPM (Very very mild case) and had a sore back, and then the weather, but... we went to the horse park and...well, he know's it's the gallop stretch and I couldn't hold him back. So we FLEW!!! Thankfully he seems fine and didn't make himself sore! It was sooo much fun though. But anyways, I really liked the saddle. I even jumped a tiny jump and liked it :) I'm thinking that going XC in it will be the only way to really know for sure, but... I'm planning on doing that Monday :) And then my friend can have her saddle back. Hopefully mine will arrive soon. I'm also a HUGE spoiled brat.... VTO has some other Courbettes on sale and I also ordered the Galant, which is similar to the Vision but all brown. I figured for that price, I would just send one or the other back and still have saved myself $1000.

Fleck seems to like the Vision too. It fit him fine as far as I could tell and he was having a blast! Once he calmed down, he wasn't fussy and was stretching nicely over his back. So.. yay :)

joharavhf

Jan. 16, 2009, 01:34 PM

I just got an email from Stateline stating that mine has shipped, but it did not include a tracking number. Hopefully it'll be here sometime next week :D Or better yet - TODAY :D

I'll report back once I get it!

FLeckenAwesome

Jan. 16, 2009, 03:27 PM

ha ha!! I keep hoping mine will show up today too :) Course I haven't even gotten a note saying it has shipped yet, so... boo!!!

No worries I suppose...the ground is frozen so no riding anyways ;)

joharavhf

Jan. 16, 2009, 03:49 PM

ha ha!! I keep hoping mine will show up today too :) Course I haven't even gotten a note saying it has shipped yet, so... boo!!!

No worries I suppose...the ground is frozen so no riding anyways ;)

Well at least you know you LOVE it! I've basically put my saddle search on hold since I'm hoping this one works - such a great price on it and all.....But if I have to send it back it means I lost a week and a half of searching...Grrrrr.

FLeckenAwesome

Jan. 16, 2009, 05:32 PM

true dat!

I'm hoping that yours fits too!! It sure is nice to have the saddle search potentially over!! And I'm pretty sure I'll buy my friends dressage saddle, so whoo hoo. DONE!! :) I did my saddle search alot like I did my wedding planning ;) Hee hee... I really have NO patience!!

But... as cold as it was I did ride today :) Go me!! In the dressage saddle and despite the cold, Fleck was good. Which means his back wasn't bothering him!!! Cause he had every excuse to get away with it today :)

joharavhf

Jan. 20, 2009, 03:39 PM

I got it. It doesn't fit. Too narrow. Weird since other off the rack Wide saddles have fit :(

So now I have to ship it back and wait forever to be credited. Oh well....back to the drawing board. At least I know I can buy wide Black Country and it'll fit ;) That's my next step although I REALLY wanted to get a cheaper one!!!

ChaseTheDream

Jan. 20, 2009, 06:24 PM

how narrow did it fit?

i was looking at it to fit my 16 hh anglo-arab. it looks like a rly nice saddle.

he is a medium-narrow/ medium...

FLeckenAwesome

Jan. 20, 2009, 08:55 PM

Oh Bummer!!! I'm sorry... that sucks! If you hop on VTO they have some saddles on super sale, but they are mostly Courbettes.... so may not help at all.

I'm still waiting on mine... last time I check it was "partial backordered'... not sure if the girth is throwing it off...

But I did ride in a friends Medium and it fit Fleck great! It almost if anything is a bit too wide, so I may have to put a halfpad fleecy in too. But it is comfy :)

FLeckenAwesome

Jan. 20, 2009, 10:24 PM

Awwww MAN!!! The saddle is on back order!!!!! argh.....

oh well... good ol' VTO has the Galant that I'm trying, for $100 cheaper! and... it's already at my house!! As of yesterday!! I swear.. they are soooo Awesome! Beth is the BOMB!!!! She's so helpful :) I get to ride in it and see if I like it and ... I suppose if I like it better than the Vision I can cancel my SLT order....

argh though....

hey joharavhf you should just send me yours!!! hee hee..Oh wait.. it's a wide right? I need the medium...

Oh well. the wait continues!

joharavhf

Jan. 21, 2009, 12:57 PM

Yes, mine is a wide 17.5". I do have an RA number to send it back. It's going back tomorrow.

BUT if someone else would like it (and won't return it back to me) then you are welcome to it for $899 + paypal fees. I'll pay shipping. Just let me know by tomorrow (Thursday) @ 11am ET. :winkgrin:

sharri13

Jan. 21, 2009, 03:42 PM

joharavhf - what centimeters does the saddle say? It should be printed below the billets on that flap along with the serial number. I have a saddle you may like to try - will gladly sell it for $900, and I'll pay for shipping fees. You are welcome to trial period it too. I've found Courbette sizes to be tricky - as a 32cm tree for them is not the same as a 32cm for other saddles - they all seem to be measured at different points. I would LOVE to sell mine!!

FLeckenAwesome

Jan. 21, 2009, 03:47 PM

Zephyr

Jan. 21, 2009, 07:44 PM

Mine should be here by the end of the week!

FLeckenAwesome

Jan. 21, 2009, 08:13 PM

Lucky!!! Mine's backordered and I want to go XC schooling this weekend!!! Wahhhhh... ;)

joharavhf

Jan. 21, 2009, 08:48 PM

I'm pretty sure the medium is a 31, so I bet the wide is a 32. Although.. you're right... the 32 in a stubben fits Fleck like the 31 in the Courbette.

Silly isn't it?!? cm should be cm?!?! I don't get it... Oh well ;)

The wide is a 32cm in this saddle. It's stamped as a 32cm.

Thanks for EVERYONE sending me lovely emails - I actually have a BC Quantum arriving at my house tomorrow! Hopefully I'll love it ;)

sharri13

Jan. 22, 2009, 09:42 AM

My Courbette Galant is a 32cm tree, which the company says is a medium-wide tree. The horse it's been used on is not massive, or super wide, so this makes sense to me. Fortunately, most saddle fitters can adjust a saddle with flocking - a medium wide can become a medium with additional flocking, or a wide with flocking removed and adjusted. It seems that every brand of saddle is different. A saddle-sales store here in NH said that saddle companies event take the cm measurement in different places! The only way to find what fits is to actually try it - makes bargain hunting difficult.

FLeckenAwesome

Jan. 22, 2009, 09:46 AM

how do you like your galant? I have one from VTO that I'm trying out (on super sale!) but I'm not sure I like it as much as the Vision. It seems a bit "harder" on my seat and I don't know if it's a bit wider twist or something? Courbette said it was the same tree, so it should fit Fleck the same, but for some reason, I'm much comfier in the Vision.
Just curious how you like yours!

Thanks

sharri13

Jan. 22, 2009, 12:05 PM

I really like my Galant. I really wish I didn't have to sell it, but Fitty has turned into a Beef Cake! Through all his antics, I stuck like a tick. I really like the optional and moveable block for behind my leg. Interesting you say that about the seat - my friend bought one before I did. Hers is hard too! But, her leather quality is not the same either. You are welcome to try mine if you would like - I'll be selling it for the sale price I've seen on websites.

joharavhf

Jan. 22, 2009, 06:37 PM

Fortunately, most saddle fitters can adjust a saddle with flocking - a medium wide can become a medium with additional flocking, or a wide with flocking removed and adjusted. It seems that every brand of saddle is different. A saddle-sales store here in NH said that saddle companies event take the cm measurement in different places! The only way to find what fits is to actually try it - makes bargain hunting difficult.

HUH???? I have always been told that if the tree doesn't fit, the flocking is
not going to make a huge difference. I have heard of fitters "adjusting the tree" to make it wider, but I have never heard of them using wool to make the saddle fit if the tree doesn't fit.

It is definitely true that they take cm measurements in different places. This would be true because I believe they measure at the points of the tree - which would be different in all saddle models :D

sharri13

Jan. 23, 2009, 10:00 AM

A saddle fitter can adjust flocking to accommodate a subtle difference between tree sizes. Many horses are between a medium tree and wide tree, or narrow tree and medium tree. This is the case with my Galant. My youngster was initially a medium tree. Everything fit great. Then he grew, and grew and expanded. He's not a wide tree, but a medium tree sits high and restricts his shoulder movement. After adjusting the flocking, it was a great fit. Often, saddlers do not make medium-wide, or narrow-medium trees (Devoucoux, for example), but they customize the fit by adjusting the flocking.

Trees can be adjusted, but I would never do this unless the saddle is designed to have the tree adjusted (Schumachers can have this done). If a regular tree (one not designed to be adjusted) is flexed, the tree can weaken substantially.