Walker/Visalia saddle, breast plate, bridle and spade bit.
Really pretty and creative, especially the silver with the scroll shape. Also, the trapaderos are sheepskin lined:
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/grd/4278825906.html
I’m not connected to the owner, just saw it on my local CL.
Given the price of something like a new Harris saddle, I’d buy this bad boy and ride in it, wouldn’t you?
Anyone know anything about the maker?
Otherwise, put your pretty collectibles here. It’s a nice topic.
It’s gorgeous. I’d hate to try to lift the thing, though.
I live near Visalia, but didn’t during the time frame the seller mentions. There’s a great tack store nearby, and the family who owns it has been there forever. You might want to call Circle N Saddle Shop in Tulare, CA to ask if they remember anything about the saddler.
I’m going to look up a site for you–truly drool worthy saddles. I guess I won’t since the company has changed direction. The company, Skyrider Saddles, is now doing more ordinary saddles–they look nice, but the earlier saddles were REALLY fancy.
Not my style really (I find most parade saddles over-the-top gaudy), but it looks well made. Some horse really wrecked the braces in the mouthpiece of that bit though! Looks like they chomped down on them or something.
I kind of chuckled that a parade saddle would need insulated taps, but I guess some parades get cold lol
[QUOTE=aka Hermein;7398872]
I’m going to look up a site for you–truly drool worthy saddles. [/QUOTE]
Always my go-to: http://tcowboyarts.org/tcaa-2013-exhibit-at-the-cowboy-museum-okc/
The woolskin in the taps is actually to prevent scuffing your fancy go-to-town boots. The bit is rather oddly conformed - a lot of layback to the spade, and with a center hung mouth would be really quick in it’s action; not my first choice.
This is a nice example of DE Walker’s work. I have had a few come through my shop, uniformly solid and well-made, and usually not this fancy. This one was certainly for dress-up use only, not a rope mark (or sweat, for that matter) on it.
I would love to know who did the silver - loving the unusual scroll shape to the conchos.
I have pinged an older gentleman of my acquaintance who is an avid
historian of all things western and Californio tack - will report back if I get anything from him of interest!
I hadn’t looked at this thread in a while and I’m so glad to see that it grew some legs.
I know nothing about the tack or the maker (save Visalia’s reputation), but I thought this stuff was too neat not to look at.
Good to know about the purpose of the sheepskin lined tapaderos.
I’d love to know more about the circumstances that caused a saddle and silver that ornate to be built.
Can you imagine signing up to have the equivalent made for you now? I can’t. That would be a huge event.
It’s a parade saddle. They’re still made today, though people seem to particularly lust after more vintage ones:
http://www.paradesaddlearchive.com/hpost.html
Pricey, and rediculously heavy in many cases. I think mainly inspired by the great cowboy movies and TV shows.
[QUOTE=AdAblurr02;7399453]
The woolskin in the taps is actually to prevent scuffing your fancy go-to-town boots. [/QUOTE]
Makes sense! Thanks for the tidbit.
What about this one? I asked about it on another thread.
I know it’s ebay so if someone can do a screenshot of the photos to save it might help.
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