[Dewey]

Hi, folks, I've never posted on the hunting forum before, but I've heard that the Stubben Imperator is a popular saddle for hunting. While browsing for something else, I came across this beautiful saddle which strikes me as something too good to pass up for someone who might be looking. I will only add that I am not selling this saddle nor do I know anything about the seller. I just thought that it looked gorgeous. The person has advertised it as a close-contact which may be why it has only one bid.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/17-UNUSED-ST...item2c6951bfa7

[candysgirl]

That is an insanely good deal!

[betonbill]

Have to say that I love my Imperator even though I don't hunt. This one looks virtually untouched by human hands, and it seems to be one of the original made in Germany ones (which I gather are the best made--like mine).

Somebody is going to get a real deal there.

[headsupheelsdown]

Oh goodness. Not in the market, but be still my heart!!

I have to tell you that the Imperator is one of my fave saddles. Great fit for horse, soooooo secure and comfy for the rider. I have one here and anyone who has ever sat in it was like "WHAT saddle is THIS???? WOW!!!"

And if you darken the orange part (Mine is a deep chocolate brown with the black trim) it easily goes right into the hunter ring and looks fabulous, but yet with that black trim also matches a black dressage bridle for the dressage phase if you are eventing.

I am a Stubben fan in general (and like a lot of other saddle brands as well, actually) but the Imperator is a standout!!

[Wellspotted]

That is one I wanted back in the Sixties! Does this one have the rubber seat and flap inserts? Supposed to be really grippy for a day's hunting. Very handsome saddle--wonder why the seller has never used it? Must have had it quite a long time, they're not made anymore.

I love the style of it.

[headsupheelsdown]

You can still buy Imperators, I believe. I have seen them new for around $2200 (pounds?) in British catalogs.... recently, I think...

[crosscreeksh]

I've ridden in a Stubben Lowengrin for over 40 years - three different saddles - and that is the same saddle without the two tone black. I've never had a saddle I liked as much for eventing or foxhunting and I even showed hunters in one, back in the day.

[betonbill]

You can still buy Imperators, I believe. I have seen them new for around $2200 (pounds?) in British catalogs.... recently, I think...

I think I read some place that they are only available by special order. I hope this one gets a good home.

[sisu27]

I have one of these and love it! Mine is older, German made and has water buffalo, not rubber (I think its WB anyhow).

Someone got a great deal!

[Belg]

I enjoyed mine, but it didn't fit either of my horses too well. Ended up on a Smith-Worthington that fit both girls much better; now the Imperator is collecting dust waiting for a horse that might fit it..

[Vesper Sparrow]

Just got an ancient second hand one, made in Germany. Fit my horse the best out of half a dozen saddles I tried and is comfy for me.

[betonbill]

I have one of these and love it! Mine is older, German made and has water buffalo, not rubber (I think its WB anyhow).

Someone got a great deal!

Does the water buffalo (or whatever) have a texture with lines to it, mainly in the brown area? I think that's what mine might have--mine was made in Germany (it was the prize at AJQHA Finals in Tulsa OK in 1974 according to the name plate).

Love it. And to think that I almost sold it until I tried it on my present horse and everything clicked.

Hope that saddle got a good home and everyone is happy with it.

[Arcadien]

I found my Imperator collecting dust in someone's garage, when two-tone leather was not "in", so I got it for $250!

Love it, used it for all 3 phases of eventing up through Prelim until I found I dressage saddle I could afford.

Has fit all my TB's well, and fit my friends ID/TB too. Great saddle! I think mine is 30 yrs old, if it falls apart I'm going to be very blue -

Would have bid on that one as a backup, but looks like it sold for $800.

[sisu27]

Does the water buffalo (or whatever) have a texture with lines to it, mainly in the brown area? I think that's what mine might have--mine was made in Germany (it was the prize at AJQHA Finals in Tulsa OK in 1974 according to the name plate).

Love it. And to think that I almost sold it until I tried it on my present horse and everything clicked.

Hope that saddle got a good home and everyone is happy with it.

I think that is the black part??? It is very stiff and yes textured leather (the black part and the underflap) so I assumed that was the water buffalo part.

I'm really not sure. I hunted in mine a couple days ago though and got some compliments! It was also still comfy by hour 4! I'd love another.

[Painted_Percheron]

this one showed up on craigslist today :
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/grd/3392414017.html

[Flagstaff Foxhunter]

I have an Imperator dressage saddle from Germany and I have only seen one other one. I recall DROOLING over the Imperators in the H. Kauffman catalog in the early '70's--I can still recall the wording about the Testa de Diavolo leather. I have owned and hunted in them since. Wonderful saddles. I see them in the hunt field with some frequency. I think they're an excellent choice.