Corriente Show Saddle?

Anyone have one? I have been cooresponding with the owners for a week or so with questions regarding quality, because I can't find one to put my hands on and see in person, and they arent that helpful and seem insulted by my questions. I was simply wondering about the quality of their plated silver, because most show saddles DO have plated silver, but their only response was that they are pretty sure this saddle is not for me. I'm a little put off by the company now, anyone have any experience with this saddle maker?

April

I, personally, love Corriente saddles but I have no experience with their show saddles. I have only ever seen working saddles from them.

Welcome to the forum, April.

I've owned a Corriente (there seems to be a lot of interest in them lately) and I've had good experience with the company and the saddle.

It may be that by your questions, you are expecting (hopefully) for a good quality to their silver. If that is the case, it sounds like they are telling you that it is adequate but not great and that you may be disappointed.

They make a well built, substantial saddle that has some nice tooling and a real good quality tree and leather but it is more user quality then show quality.

If you are looking to show more then just local shows, you may be better off looking for a quality used saddle then trying to make the Corriente work for you. There was a 16" Circle Y custom make show saddle on my Craigs list the other day - with bridle and breast collar - looked like new but they want $2K for it.

I have never heard of one to tell you the truth, I shall google images it

Can you really tell the difference between stainless steel / nickle kept polished to a high shine and silver in the show ring?

I can tell you that as far as strength and durability are concerned you can't get a better saddle for the price. I took my girlfriend's Corriente roper to a master leatherworker and he was impressed by the attention to detail and the little things that other saddles in this price range usually don't have like:

Tooled Wear leather strips under your stirrup leathers to protect the skirt
No gaps between the rear jockey and skirts
Thick durable leather
Varnished rawhide tree
Even stitching
Genuine Blevins buckles
Handtooling or Good Clicker Tooling (he wasn't sure, said it looked hand tooled)
Stirrup leathers were thick strong harness leather
Rigging tacked and screwed
Rigging uses copper rivets instead of aluminum
In skirt riggings are stitched as well as riveted

I spoke to Melany at Corriente Saddles tonight. Actually bought one of their saddles. I called twice before ordering. Each time with more questions. She was amazingly nice and friendly and reassured me if I didn't like the saddle they would be more than happy for me to return it and refund my money.

That is who I talked to via email! She didnt sound like she appreciated my questions one bit. I am sure you wouldnt be able to tell the difference between plated silver and sterling silver in the show ring, and I am only looking at doing local state shows and 4H for my daughter. I have a Dale Chavez halter that is only 11% plated silver, I don't mind that it is plated, I just wanted to make sure it wasnt aluminum or a really really poor quality silver. I just wanted a few details, like what percent plated it was. If I wanted "the best" in a show saddle, I would buy a Kathys, Blue Ribbon or Dale Chavez, but I can't drop 5K in a saddle. That is why I was interested in the corriente products. She just totally dismissed me though and told me I wouldnt be interested. Never said......"if you arent satisfied you can send it back".

Try calling. She honestly was very pleasant with me. When I told her I wanted to think about it, she let me know they were open another two hours if I decided tonight.

But in her defense, I am sure she gets 100's of calls a day asking the same thing. I am sure it gets a little tiring. And she's human. She could have had an off day.

I know Smrob's on here loves her Corriente Saddle. I also have a friend who pointed me to Corriente. Said he owned 4 of them, and would never own anything else except Corriente.

So here is hoping my saddle is everything I want it to be. Hope you give them another chance. Keep us posted on how it goes.

Quick update:

Finally rode in my corriente today! Despite it just being a barrel saddle, it was super comfy! Felt like heaven!!! I am very happy with my saddle. (thanks Smrobs for suggesting them!) Well worth the price. My next saddle will be a wade or association saddle from them!