[CMMariah]

I am coming back to riding after a 10-year break. My wonderful Luc Childeric saddle no longer fits my leg and I'm looking for a saddle. I wanted to get some thoughts on the four saddles I listed above, as those are the brands I'm focusing on.

I am tall and thin, and need a wide twist. I rode in a CWD the other day and it made me "sore," if you know what I mean. I did, however, love the position it put my leg in. I am going to try an Antares today.

I just wondered what people's thoughts are. I'm getting sloe to just getting another Childeric, which would be fine, but wanted to see what others think.

THanks for any input!

[meupatdoes]

A lot of those pride themselves on their narrow twists.

I would look into an Albion or a Black Country. My Albion Jewell has a pretty wide twist and is fabulous.

[jlphilli]

I really like my new buffalo leather Devoucoux http://i50.tinypic.com/ygpkk.jpg

I came from a Butet. I really liked the Antares saddles I rode in too, I just didn't want to wait 4 months for a saddle (and they would've had to fix the panelling b/c it was tight on my horse's shoulders). But it was still a very nice saddle.

I have also heard really good things about CWD and Bruno Delgrange saddles (http://www.selledelgrange.com/)

Best of luck!

[authentic pony]

I spent about 10 years in a Childeric and absolutely LOVE them but needed a new seat/flap config and could not find with I wanted used. My horse also has a massive shoulder and they slipped back on him a bit too.

Bought 2 (!) barely used CWD's and wanted so badly to love them (they were both beautiful) but they both made me sore and rubbed me raw so...I know what you mean about the twist.

I then bought an Amerigo Vega after riding in a friend's and liked it quite a bit but even the 'regular' tree was too wide for my horse, it slipped back something fierce, and the regular flap not quiet long enough...

Was JUST about to cough up the $$$ for a new Delgrange because I really liked them a lot. Love the twist, where it put my leg, etc but didn't like that the rep only had a demo for each model so I couldn't ride in the exact one I'd order.

Then a friend had the Antares rep out and it was love at first sit for me (and for her, and another girl in the barn). The twist is perfect, my horse was happy in it, and it has a cutback tree for my horse's massive shoulder. I ended up going used so got something a bit deeper than had I bought new but I LOVE it, and the other two both bought new. It's still not as comfortable as a Childeric to me, but its damn comfy and my horse is super happy - no longer flinches when I curry his back, more free through his back and shoulder, etc.

I was super wary of Antares after all I had heard about broken trees, crazy wait time, etc but after 3 months and 5 saddles, I wasn't passing up local saddle that fit us both great and is wickid pretty to boot!

Only one I never sat in was a Devoucoux. Butet's look nice too but can't find many where I am (Ontario). Basically, sit in as many as you can. I thought for sure I would be madly in love with CWD's since it seems the rest of the world is, and I just could not make them work for me.

[Rather.Be.Riding]

I have an Antares and I absolutely love it! I bought
mine used, so I didn't end up dealing with their customer service. I also tried CWD saddles, and found the seat to be less comfortable. My coach also has an Antares, and has had no problems with it. I've also tried my friends County saddle; it had a wide twist and was very comfortable.

[SquishTheBunny]

I test rode a bunch. My least favourite was the childeric. My two favourite were devoucoux and delgrange. The CWD came a close second. Each Antares was so different. I also love my friends old butet!

They are all good saddles, its just personal choice. See if you can give a few different brands a try and see which one fit you and your horse best.

I lucked out and was able to buy the demo Devoucoux Biarritz I rode in.

[MorganJumper848]

I tried the cwd saddles. The twist was also very uncomfortable for me. I couldn't ride for a couple of days after using it for 1 hour. Their "low wide twist" is not really low or wide. It was still uncomfortable. I love my county saddle

[horsechick]

Just got an Antares, and love it. You should try a County Innovation...twist is definitely slightly wider on it, but it does put your leg in a good place.

[CMMariah]

thank you all for your responses! After trying MANY saddles over the last two weeks, I was really frustrated and prepared to buy a brand new Childeric. I tried two Antares this week, with really bad results. too bad because they are beautiful! yesterday was my lucky day because a barn mate showed up with a Devoucoux that had been gathering dust in her garage. it is PERFECT for me! my trainer loves my position and I'm psyched. thank you all for your input!

[BABYGREENTB]

Anyone have the contact info for the Delgrange rep th at services Virginia?

[jlphilli]

Anyone have the contact info for the Delgrange rep th at services Virginia?

I think Kirsten does VA--her email is: brunodelgrange@me.com & phone is 804-432-3555

thank you all for your responses! After trying MANY saddles over the last two weeks, I was really frustrated and prepared to buy a brand new Childeric. I tried two Antares this week, with really bad results. too bad because they are beautiful! yesterday was my lucky day because a barn mate showed up with a Devoucoux that had been gathering dust in her garage. it is PERFECT for me! my trainer loves my position and I'm psyched. thank you all for your input!

Congrats!

[BABYGREENTB]

[QUOTE=jlphilli;6419937]I think Kirsten does VA--her email is: brunodelgrange@me.com & phone is 804-432-3555




Congrats! [/QUOTE

Thank you!

[AtLHuNtErJuMpEr]

I have had an antares, CWD, childeric, devocoux, and a butet - my favorites are the childeric and devocoux (which i just recently got used and am obsessed with). i'm actually selling a childeric that's in decent condition if you're interested! they are so comfortable and beautiful saddles, you can't go wrong with them!

[mroades]

yep, childeric and devocoux are my favorites...cannot stand the others.
I gave my childeric to a student last year (it was a 94 model) and I am sincerely regretting it.

[SquishTheBunny]

Thats great, I have had mine for 4 years now and still love it. I also like the way the devoucoux's fit most horses too.

[ivy62]

Several years ago I was saddle shopping. I tried everything.. The one that worked the best for us was a L'Apogee... Designed by a woman so maybe that helped also and my horse has a short back and massive shoulders.
I would try them too unless you already bought a saddle. The customer service was great too...

[Lion1024]

I bought my Childeric about two years ago and thought it would stay with me forever! Sadly, I'm coming to the realization that it does not fit my new horse of a few months. So, I'm regretfully selling it and starting to look for a new saddle. I really despise saddle shopping. I live near tack stores with options and it is still such a painful experience. Very jealous OP found her new one so easily!!!

[BABYGREENTB]

I think Kirsten does VA--her email is: brunodelgrange@me.com & phone is 804-432-3555




Congrats!

Just wanted to give Kirsten two thumbs up for anyone considering a Del Grange. She came to my farm this morning and spent about an hour and a half with my trainer & I trying on saddles. I ended up going with one of their new flat seat models and am looking forward to its arrival in 8 weeks. Kirsten was very patient as we pulled saddles off & on a million times & really did everything to make sure we found the perfect saddle for both me & my horse.

[TheJenners]

While the reps get a really really bad reputation for being flakes, which was also my experience, I do love my Devoucoux. And OP, my Oldara has a different twist, not sure if it's considered wide or not. Some people sit in it and hate it, and say it's like sitting with a roll of toilet paper in their crotch, whereas others like it. Rep said the same thing, either love or hate. I love it. I also love the squishiness. I've had it for three years and it's in awesome shape, I did spend a lot of time working on darkening the leather because I went with, in hindsight, a shade too light (oh well); my only complaint is it scratches super easy but it's easy to rub and buff out for the most part.

[Dapple Dawn Farm]

I also have a Devoucoux Oldara and love it. I get the roll of toilet paper analogy (even though I've never heard of it before the last post). I find that if my horse takes a sudden turn left or right I stay balanced and am able to go with him due to the "grippyness" of the saddle style as opposed the the feeling of slipping right or left off to the side of the saddle that I used to ride in. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I feel very secure in my Dev. and it was certainly love at first sit!