Stubben UK - News

Rolled bridle

2010-03-22T16:51:00.002Z

A trainer called in to the showroom today and was very impressed with our rolled bridle- the 4000 range.
On closer inspection the lady was also very impressed with the price having looked at a Passier equivalent at £700.00. You can get a Weymouth in your choice of colour for £397.00. Quite a difference!
We didn't sell one, that is for another day, I'm certain this lady will come back. But after buying two bridles and one noseband the coffers were a little empty.
So if you want a fully fledged Stubben hand crafted rolled bridle in the colour of your choice as a snaffle or a a double Weymouth complete with reins then contact us now!
Sales@stubbenuk.co.uk

New saddle

2010-03-17T12:40:00.004Z

I mentioned in one of my recent blogs that a rider had oiled her saddle, a brand new Stubben MFS Siegfried, and was very unhappy with the result. The saddle had been stained by the oil and the natural panel colour had been reduced to a dark brown.

I had given her some advice on how to try and rectify the situation, but the lady came back this week a bought a brand saddle of the same specification and size! When asked what had happened to the other saddle? ....... "I have sold it, I just couldn't live with the stains and the resultant instability of the ride. So it had to go!"

An expensive exercise for this rider, so once again please use Stubben soaps and Hammanol leather care to protect and enhance your Stubben leatherwork.....please!

Saddle cover

2010-03-08T16:21:00.003Z

Stubben have upgraded their saddle covers to a new velour cotton mix design as shown here.

The covers are great for the saddles as they are a natural mix of cotton that allows the equipment to breathe.

So if your saddle is wet then this cover will allow it to dry naturally, which helps the leather to recover naturally and keep is shape and texture. Don't forget to use the Hammanol leather feed to enhance and feed the leather, this product is great for bridles too.

If you want to upgrade your cover then contact your local retailer or give us a ring or e-mail and we will help you. sales@stubbenuk.co.uk.

Reins to grip with

2010-03-02T15:16:00.007Z

I've worked a long time in this industry but I've never seen such a variety of reins that are now available for the rider, particularly from Stubben.

It just used to be leather or rubber- take your pick madam. But now you can have rubber, rubber one sided, velour, laced, web, five plait the list seems endless. So when you buy your Stubben bridle ask the retailer for your own choice of rein, don't just accept what is offered. The best test is to 'feel' the rein in the hand, and then make your choice

By the way Stubben also do a special hook end rein, pictured here, that's very new and just available, you just have to ask. Any problems please give us a ring 01536744554 or contact sales@stubbenuk.co.uk

Rolled Bridle

2010-03-02T14:51:00.004Z

It's very rare nowadays to be able to see, let alone purchase a rolled bridle made in the traditional manner.
Well Stubben now have one and its the 4000 range. It has a name as all Stubben bridles do its called the 'Carlow'. The bridle shown on the left is a Weymouth, but its available in snaffle too.
If you check out the roll in the top pic you will see that this is a seriously well crafted and stunning addition to any horse, available with rubber reins or plain,and in various colours.

It comes with the well designed stainless steel fittings, and the usual Stubben aniline dyed vegetable tanned leathers. With the correct cleaning care and leather feed (Hammanol) it will last for years, and perform and look great at all times!
Talk to your stockist or contact us for more information.

sales@stubbenuk.co.uk

Dressage

2010-03-01T16:54:00.003Z

The champion Portuguese dressage rider Luis Principie has a favourite saddle the Stubben Geneses De-Lux. Not content with the large front block Luis has spent some time re-designing the shape of the block to give him more support when competing.After some work Stubben have increased the block size to accommodate his leg and as you can see from the picture he is very happy with the outcome.

So the Geneses now has a new block. The Principie!

This goes with the other three blocks you can select in this comfortable saddle range. Stubben saddles really are bespoke to the rider and horse's requirements!

Stubben Geneses-The best Dressage saddle in the World.

Springtime

2010-03-01T12:45:00.006Z

Got a good feeling this morning the sun is out at last!
We also have a new bridle called the 'Passion'
Its a really nice item with a special design and a padded headpiece. It comes in various colours with a choice of different reins.
The bridle is designed to protect the poll and create a comfortable feeling for the horse.
That brings our bridle ranges up to about 20. Check out the website www.stubbenuk.co.uk for the designs and prices. And don't forget to contact your local retailer to see what is in their shop.

I think that is is a quality bridle from Stubben, check out the clip hook rein ends.

Back to the Fold

2010-02-26T11:04:00.004Z

We had a nice surprise the other day.
Our ace southern saddler fitter was called out to a fit in the south and met an extremely experienced event horse producer who probably new more about the Stubben saddle models then he did!
The husband and wife team had not only owned and used more Stubben saddles than most people see in a lifetime, they also knew all the names of the models as well! The lady herself had in the past competed at Badminton.
The main part of the story was that some years ago they had been weaned away from the brand to other manufactures based on the various marketing models of what makes a 'modern saddle'. New wider trees, enormous panels to spread the weight, etc etc.
This move away coincided with a loss of form with the horses and a downturn in performance overall. Good news- she is back, a new saddle ordered and raring to go.
And to quote the lady," I can't believe how foolish I have been over the past years to change from Stubben"
Moral of the story- 'If it ain't broke- don't fix it'

Oily leather

2010-02-24T16:33:00.009Z

Bit of a disaster yesterday!

A rider came into our showroom with her saddle. It was a Siegfried MFS same type as used by Tim Stockdale. It had been fitted some 3 months ago.

Nothing wrong with the fit everything had been going well, saddle comfortable and performing correctly. No problems- except one!

It had rained a couple of weeks ago and concerned that the saddle had been completely soaked and could deteriorate she had applied copious amounts of a well known oil to the leather with disastrous results.

The saddle had soaked up the oil like blotting paper and turned a perfectly good looking piece of riding equipment into a very sorry looking mess indeed. The normal yellow coloured aniline tanned saddle panel, which is the most comfortable soft leather to put on a horses back was now a dark murky brown colour and the rest of the saddle had become oily and unstable in the seat.

The remedy we advised was to try and wash the oil out from the leather with natural drying using Stubben soap. And to treat the leather with Stubben Hammanol leather feed, again another natural product that enhances the hide rather than destroying it!

So don't oil any of your Stubben leatherwork, you have been warned!

It clogs up the hide, reduces the life of the saddle or bridle, affects the performance, and oil really belongs in a....... car engine!

Stubben soap and Hammanol leather feed- 30 years of saddle life guaranteed.

Fitting

2010-02-24T12:55:00.003Z

Did you know there are 9 seat sizes and 14 tree widths with Stubben saddles to fit both horse and rider. So how is it that most manufactures have only 3 widths and 2 seat sizes? How can you possibly fit all the different horses and riders around today?

I notice that in most of the saddlers now that there are adjustable saddle trees. A sort of DIY for the rider to help themselves. What they don't seem to realise is that if you adjust the tree at the front arch it affects the rear and the important bit under the rider. So you can forget the concept of a spring tree with this type of saddle- this is something that is not mentioned by the maker and the fitter when they promote this type of saddle.

Hey ho its the rider and horse that suffer again!

Long live tradittional saddlery.

Tim Stockdale

2009-08-20T16:44:00.003+01:00

I spent some time with Tim Stockdale today checking his saddles and generally catching up with the latest showjumping news, and views.

I pointed out to Tim that the only Stubben model saddle he has is the MFS Special. Our deep seat front and rear blocked jumping saddle. He must have about 20!

He pointed out to me that this was the saddle that worked for him, had taken him a long time to find, and he wouldn't be changing it for any other of our jumping models!

So, the Siegfried MFS Special deep seat jumping saddle, as recommended by Tim Stockdale.

Don't' take my word for it. Try it and see!

Andy McCune

Treeless Saddles

2009-08-13T15:47:00.006+01:00

I had an interesting discussion with a rider the other day.She informed me that she was now going down the road of having a treeless saddle because she had tried everything and still could not get the best from her horse.

My comment to her was:- before you take the spring tree out of a saddle it might be useful to know how a spring tree in a saddle actually works.

We hit a bit of a block there, although we both learnt something I feel.

In fact how did the spring tree evolve, what are the benefits of a treed saddle. And again really how does it work?

Best answer to this blog within the next two weeks will receive a prize, at my expense. Manufacturers and riders feel free to participate.

(Pictured here is the new Biomex seat saddle with the rider is situ, seat bones in the correct area protected by the Biomex)

Pony saddle

2009-08-05T16:50:00.006+01:00

We have just had a fantastic result with a pony saddle. The child in question was only 6 but Stubben managed to produce a made to measure saddle, the Edelweiss Pony that fitted the rider correctly. The combinations were extreme. Small child and round 12hh jumping pony. Normally pony saddles have a tendency to roll around the pony because they are made too wide. This one was spot on with the Stubben saddle tree providing the firm and safe seat required.
There are two pictures one with the child in our showroom sitting on a 16" saddle and a regular flap. We provided a 15" seat with a smaller flap that did the job perfectly. Pic 2 is the saddle provided.
Fingers crossed we have another Stubben convert- starting young!

Sanity

2009-07-31T16:30:00.004+01:00

Whatever happened to common sense in the horse world? I've just been looking at an advert for a new age saddle that costs over £2k, and goes against every principle of what a saddle actually is, and what it should do on a horses back.
Help! What is wrong with traditional saddlery. Do manufacturers and marketing people think that the saddle we have arrived at today did not evolve this way for a reason. After 2000 odd years surely it must be close to a correct item for the job in hand!
I feel sorry for the riders. From what I can see today they are the subject of some vast experiment paid for by themselves, just so that some manufacturers can make some more money based on scare tactics.
I'm not against change and new materials, just down right stupidity, and profiteering at the expense of the horse and rider.
Andy McCune

bandages

2009-03-20T16:35:00.005Z

I love these bandages! Extra soft and breathable for comfort, 3.5 metres long with velcro fastenings for ease. Elasticated bandages with a difference - they regain their shape easily and last a very long time. And there is a colour for every horse.....!

The new jumping saddle. Portos.

2009-02-12T18:04:00.003Z

A sneek preview of the new jumping saddle due out in the Spring. At the present we can confirm it has close contact panels with soft, delux nt leather. It will be available in Ebony (shown), Black, Havana and Tabacco. Seat sizes will be 17" and 17.5" with regular tree widths 27cm - 32cm.

rrp £1849

If this has caught your attention, please contact us for further information.

Throughout Feburary we will keep you informed of the various new products due for release in the Spring / Summer season.