Conference noted::equitation

    I have an aussie saddle, a beautiful western show saddle, and use
    an English saddle from time to time.  My favorite for trail riding
    and hacking around is the aussie saddle.  (I do not know too much about
    the stuuben you mentioned)

Again, the amateur talking but...

I recently bought a Stuuben Siegried upon the recommendation of my trainer.
While I was out buying and discussing saddles with the folks at the
Equestrian Shop in Andover and Dover in Wellesley, they both indicated that
the Stuuben was of the highest quality.  Their comments led me to believe
that several saddle companies (like County) have gone to mass production
but that Stuuben was still a small, hand done operation and one of the best
quality saddles you could buy.

My two cents...

Marsha

    
    I too owned a Stuuben Stiegried that got burned in a fire.  This saddle
    was sooo comfortable.
    
    I know some time people sell these saddles..? Maybe that would be
    an alternative.
    
    I have done quite a bit of research on the Aussie, and the people 
    I competive trail ride with love'm...  There light.. and give
    a lot of support over a long ride.
    
     Havn't purchased one yet.. Still doing research... 
    
    I would buy another Stuuben but, Look around to other shops .. 
    Some shops get better quality or different styles that might apeal
    to you more.
    
    Another point of view

    
    	While I know nothing about the Stuuben other the the fact that
    	the very name "Stuuben" has always meant quality..  I do know of
    	Aussie saddles..
    
    	I have ridden over 875 logged miles in my Aussie saddles.  My first
    	saddle was an american copy - and I enjoyed it.  BUT it was not
    	built for heavy use.  (It was made of english bridle leather - soft
    	but not tough enough).  Al least I enjoyed it until horse+dumped
    	rider+tree = one total wreck.
    
    	I only had three weeks before a 130 mile (of GROOMED TRAILS!) ride and 
    	had spent 4 months of legging up.  My husband made the mistake of 
    	saying he would buy me another saddle!!  (GASP!)  So, Susan waddled
    	to our spare room and dug up the catalog of what she REALLY wanted.
    	Of course, he died when he found out it was over a thousand!
    
    	I called and ordered a Treavor James Somerset saddle and they had
    	it to me in *5* days.  Everything, leathers, girth saddle - and
    	this is a woman who ALWAYS has trouble ordering (as far as mixed up
    	orders - it took me *3 months* to get the correct girth for my
    	other Aussie!)
    
    	I am pleased with my James saddle... it is not the lightest saddle
    	my other Aussie is by far lighter.  But the quality - is wonderful
    	and there is no doubt in my mind that this is a saddle to last.
    
    	Even though this was a new saddle - I did take it on the ride and
    	he did wonderful.  No soreness and no rubs.  I did take along my
    	western saddle - as I didn't know what to expect but never had to
    	use it.
    
    	Oh, on posting...  never having ridden english for long, I had
    	no trouble adapting to the Aussie way of posting.  I have no
    	problems with this - I also used to post in a western saddle if 
    	covering alot of ground.  (Maybe this is not much different?)  All
    	I can say is that it is not a "full post" you do sort of a half
    	rise to the trot... If you notice on the different models of
        saddles the "ears" come at different heights...  
    
    	BUT they also sell an endurance model saddle that you can post on 
    	as your "ears" are very low....  I didn't like the looks of this
    	saddle - as I thought it looked cheap - but it is difficult to 
    	tell from only a photo.
    
    	It all comes down to comfort...  What YOU feel best/safe in...  I
    	like taking my easy chair as I like riding for hours - but I want
    	safety too - as I am old and don't "bounce" anymore - I just go
    	"THUD" then lay there and die of pain...(while the nag laffs at
        me!)
    
    	So in summary.... I rode 18+ years on a western, 2 years on a
    	english (Courbet) and 5 years IN an Aussie...
    
    	Stephanie, if you already have your Aussie, then you know quality.
    	Just compare your saddle with the Stuuben, how it is put together,
    	(if there are nails, tacks or glue) check the stitching and so on..
    	and take it from there.
    
    	Aussies aren't used that much in the show rings... STUUBENs are 
    	many.  The Stuuben would be more versatile (OOOH! did that hurt
    	to say that! heh-heh-heh...) if you want a show saddle too.
    
        If your just going to trail ride - then the aussie is great
    	for that - with the comfort, safety and all the great places to
    	hang the breastplate, sponge, easyboot, cantle bag, water etc..
    	etc..
    
    	You got a tough choice.. I never saw a "cheapie" Stuuben. 
    

    After having reclaimed my aussie from my trainer's reluctant grasp,
    I rode "in" it.  I must say that I do love my aussie saddle.  It
    is absolutly the best quality.  Sturdy, supple leather, hand stiched.
    brass parts...And it is comfortable to ride "in".  I do find that
    posting in the limited way that it allows takes some getting used
    to, it is better to just stand up in a half seat.  I guess that
    what I am getting at is, is that I will keep this saddle and just
    enjoy it and get used to it.  I did love my Stuuben, but it was
    an older Stuuben, the new ones are of suspicious quality to me,
    or maybe it's just that these newer saddles seem to be made of such
    thin leather.  I never believe that they are going to hold up
    under heavy duty use.  I did buy a show saddle, a second hand Smith
    Worthington, that is absolutely wonderful. It's 10 years old, but
    new saddles, like I said just seem to have bigger price tags, and
    less quality.  Anyway, that's just my opinion.  I thank everyone
    for their helpful insights.  Susan, keep trailing, I wish I could
    ride more on those competitive rides. 8-)
    
    regards,
    stephanie

    I don't know how the new Stubbens are, but my first good Stubben was a
    jumping saddle (20+ years ago) and my current Stubben is a 15+ year old
    Stubben Lohengrin dressage saddle. I sold the jumping saddle (traded it
    for an all purpose saddle) many years ago, but I loved it while I had it.
    Properly cared for, they provide good service and look like quality for 
    life.  My Lohengrin was originally light tan, cella leather.  It is now
    oiled to lovely, deep golds and browns.
    
    They do take a long time to break in and you may need to use a riser
    until the front spreads and drops down a bit.
    
    Mary

    
    
    	I currently have a 12 year old Stubben that I bought from
    	Gwen- through the notes files.  My next saddles is going
    	to be a jefferies - I like the back support that the jeffries
    	has.  The stubben is a very comfortable saddle but I find 
    	the leggings to be too long for my short legs.. Iam only 5 ft.
    
    	I orginally bought it for my husband but he likes the older
    	saddle - nice and warn in he says..