I am wanting to get the saddle Larry Trocha endorses, Five Star, but have never heard of them until I saw a video he did. Does anyone know if they are good saddles? Not real familiar with Larry, so didn’t know if this is a legit saddle maker or not. Don’t want to waste money on one if it is not a reputable company.
If you aren’t familiar with Larry Trocha (neither am I) and you haven’t seen or tried these saddles in person, why do you want one? Just curious, as there are so many tried and true saddles of the same style readily available, with plenty of reviews and references.
The only thing I can find about these saddles is they started making them several years ago and LT was somehow connected to their marketing. They don’t seem to have taken off. In fact, the only ones I could find for sale are reduced in price. So while the close contact style looks nice, it’s impossible to judge the balance, quality of leather, fit and craftsmanship without seeing and trying several in person.
Of course this is just my opinion. I could be wrong.
3 Likes
I have not ever ridden in one or looked at one in person, therefore I have no opinion.
I remember when Larry was putting them out there. To me it looks a lot like a Ruelas who also built Capo saddles until the recent debacle. I have no evidence, but it’s what came to mind as I looked at the pics.
Just like bridle bits, saddlemakers will make saddles that can be rebranded under another name.
1 Like
Thanks…I have decided to not go with Five Star, just not enough good info, and Larry’s videos are just advertisement I think. I am going with Coats. Lots of info, and I know cutting trainers/riders that only use them and Jeff Smith saddles.
I would definitely sit in whatever you can. If you’re local to FW, the Futurity is going on right now and there are plenty of saddle vendors out.
I’ve ridden in Coats, Jeff Smith, Bob Marshall, Capo, and more. I leaned towards the Rueales, but I ride in a Jeff Smith because it’s what I like best while I get a custom made by a friend. They all sit different in the pocket and make my leg sit different. My husband loves his Coats. I like the Coats family but I hate that saddle and it doesn’t fit a lot of stuff well.
I wouldn’t go with what whomever is riding/what’s in vogue. I know a lot of guys that ride in Jeff Smiths because Jeff gives them x amount of new saddles per year. Not because they actually like them/fit their horses well. Just like the HJ world, trainers love free more than they love proper fit.
Also FWIW, I am about to consign three brand new/demo quality Trent Ward cowhorse saddles. I actually sat in one the other day and didn’t mind it. If you’re interested. 
I just have to have a saddle that is lighter weight, less than 38 lbs. I want one that fits my horse, top priority, then me. I haven’t heard of Trent Ward, will look those up. I will get back to you if I see something I like. Thanks! 
I am not near FW, or anywhere that I can look at or sit in these saddles, unfortunately. I wish I were, would love to try them out! My local tack store, for lack of a better term for the place…sells Billy Cook, no thanks, Bob’s Custom Saddles, again, no, and Circle Y…all no thanks. Ugh.
1 Like
I’ve never heard of Larry and when I googled him, couldn’t find anything that made me want to buy a saddle endorsed by him, just his website that doesn’t mention his creds.
Larry has a Leddy for sale on his website. I don’t have a lot of experience with them, but my ex had one and I really liked riding in it (even though I never rode in a cutting) and a friend of mine had one who did cutting and loved it.
1 Like
What type of saddle are you looking for? For what discipline?
He is supposedly known in the reined cow horse world, but something just told me to look elsewhere. Thanks for that info on the Leddy!
I am just wanting an all around saddle, no specific discipline. I have a reiner and a western pleasure horse. She has an issue in her withers, so needing a lighter weight saddle, lighter than 38lbs. But I no longer show either of them, we just pleasure ride at the barn where I board. Some outside around the property, and in the arenas.
I went through three pages of google search on his name and most of what I found was his own stuff. If he was a name in the reined cow horse world, I’m sure some show results would have shown up. The Leddy is a cutting saddle, so I’m not sure if it would be appropriate for what you are looking for. He might very well be a good trainer, but I don’t see his name in regards to show results for what he’s claiming to be a trainer of. It’s possible he’s great for starting young horses for these events and sending them along for finishing.
A problem with her withers won’t be solved by a lighter saddle. you’ll need a saddle that fits her properly.
3 Likes
That is not why, she has some degeneration in her vertebrae. Not severe, because if it was I would never consider riding her. My Vet said she can be ridden with a lighter saddle. That is the reason for it. I am also getting a custom saddle pad made for her. Just do not want any pressure in her withers. I am only 110 pounds, no one heavier than me will ride her, and we will only walk around. Not for long, just want to keep her moving and stretched out. She is doing great, but just am being very careful with her.
Jeff Smith does make a light weight cowboy saddle, but their regular saddles are definitely not “light”. The Coats we have is heavier than the JS. I used to have a Double J cutter that was lighter than pretty much everything we had at the time and I quite liked it. It did fit the more narrow horses better than the fat, mutton withered things though.
If you don’t specifically need a ranch saddle or cutter and want light weight, I’d look into barrel saddles! You can find a quality one and definitely be under your weight limit if you don’t mind that sort of pocket.
1 Like
I used to have a barrel saddle for her, it was quite comfy. May look into another one, it definitely was lighter. Thanks!
1 Like
Like @Belmont said the Jeff Smiths aren’t light. One of my personal saddles is a Jeff Smith ranch cutter on a BG tree. With everything on it, rope, cinches, breast collar, stirrups, it weighs over 40lbs.
But you can custom order any of the Jeff Smiths as a “lightweight”, it’s just basically a single skirt rather than a double.
Some ladies don’t like the Jeff Smiths because they are wide. You might want to ride in one first before ordering. I ride one at work that tends to tip me a bit forward but my personal saddle doesn’t.
I do not get along with the Leddys at all. Boss had me use one last winter for a turnback saddle and by the end of every day I was crippled. Any trainer I worked for doesn’t seem to like them either but a lot of non-pros ride in them.
I’m also not a huge fan of the Paul Taylor saddles we have at work. And I don’t blame you for not getting excited over Billy Cook, Circle Y, or Bob’s. Years ago almost everyone had Bob’s and me coming from the team roping world I thought they were great but now you couldn’t give me one.
I also like the older Burns, Roohide as far as cutting saddles go. I like the Don Rich for a cowhorse, but was never a huge fan of the Martin’s even though a lot of people like them.
2 Likes
Thanks for that great info!! Had never heard of Leddys, but now I am thinking it wouldn’t be a good fit for me. The trouble is there are no saddle makers within hundreds of miles from me. Owensboro, KY would be the closest city to me, and it is still not real close. There are some guys who make saddles, that I have heard people who ride cutters use him for some of their saddles. But he is new at it, and I think he is in Texas. Sucks to not be able to have a chance to even sit in one first. Only reason I was thinking Coats is because they supposedly guarantee the fit. Horse is always first for me as far as fit, I am second. But weight is my main priority along with fit. Yes Bob’s are just awful looking, they have started selling them recently here, way over priced too. But mostly have Billy and Circle Y… just no! I have a Billy I am going to sell, wish I had never bought it years ago.
1 Like
