Stubben
VSD-DL
All Purpose Saddles
Manufacturer: Stubben
Model: VSD-DL
Category: All Purpose Saddles
Purchase: Bought through a tack shop whose ad I saw on line. Paid $850 for a Stubben saddle that looks like it has been ridden in less than a dozen times...not a scratch on it. The gods of equus were with me when I found this one!
Likes: This is the most beautiful thing I have ever bought in my life! The leather is gorgeous and soft, the workmanship is top-notch. As an intermediate rider (almost two years in the saddle) I got tired of the older tack I was riding in at my local stable. My teacher put me on her beautiful 17.5, medium tree Stubben Dressage saddle to see how I would do, and I loved it. I knew then that in order to progress in my ground work, I would need better equipment. I didn't want to confine my riding/training to only dressage, so I started looking for a Stubben all-purpose saddle. I spent a lot of time reading ALL of your Stubben reviews, and then started combing the 'net for a VSD-DL. Found this one on line about a month ago, and then contacted the seller who sent me additional pictures of it and, voila! bought myself a saddle. It is extremely comfortable, and the spring in the tree makes for a wonderful and easy posting trot. The medium tree has fit all the horses I have put it on at my local barn, so far. Although the snowy weather here in the northeast has made it hard to ride much lately, I can already see that I will get more than my money's worth from it. After all, if bought NEW, it's @ $2200. I'm one lucky rider...
Dislikes: There is nothing I don't like so far....the leather could be a bit softer, but as I said, this saddle doesn't look as if it has been used much at all before my buying it. I have used "Supple" on it, and that has helped. Continued conditioning, combined with riding in it, it should soften it up nicely, especially when I'm able to ride more regularly this spring and summer. Also, FYI this saddle takes a longer girth, as the billets are 'all-purpose' and on the short side...
Quality: Gorgeous leather, beautiful stitching, firm but flexible tree, comfy seat...excellent quality. Beautiful "Havana" color. I happen to love brown leather...
Summary: I got the deal of the decade with this saddle. In the condition it is in, I could probably re-sell it and make an easy $700 over what I paid. But it's mine now and I'm keeping it!
Rating: 5
Author: DeeDee in NY
Date: 2010-02-26
Usefulness Rating: 3.41667 out of 5.
36 reader(s) voted.
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