Looking for a nice pleasure show saddle. Everyone is telling me I must buy Harris or Blue ribbon. Are those the only two that people show in at the higher level shows in the All Around events?
Harris and Blue Ribbon are by far the most popular. But, Bob’s Elite, and McLelands are all saddles of equal quality. Some people like Wangers. You will also have a few people who show in Circle Y, TexTan or other “lesser” brands. What is your budget?
Bob’s here:
http://www.cowdogsaddles.com/saddles-tn.php
Click on saddles and first are used ones, below new ones.
Trophy Tack has great show saddles. Same quality,less money. In Bixby,OK.
Thank you so much. I will check them out.
I show in a Wenger, but I agree with the above posters, all of the previously named saddles are good quality that will last
Broken Horn is another brand to look into. Where I board the BO only rides in Steve Flick saddles, and they seem like nice saddles, though run narrow IMO. Dale Chavez saddles seem nice, and I am personally looking for one, though I have no experience outside of sitting them and feeling them in the tack shop.
A lot depends on where you plan to show. I showed my first year at Paint shows, on the state and regional level, with a Chavez and never felt out of place or out-shown. I did get a great deal on a Blue Ribbon so traded for it, but I’ll warn you…those silver covered saddles weigh a ton, so plan accordingly.
I promise you the judges won’t care. Or notice. (I’ve heard they notice your hat more than anything. If your budget is tight, spend it there.)
I loved that BR show saddle, but sold it last year when I decided I was done showing. I have held onto my BR training saddle, though. It is so comfortable and puts me in the best position when I’m doing arena work. It doesn’t have any silver on it, but I wouldn’t hesitate to use it in a show. In hindsight I think I caved to perceived peer pressure when I got the Blue Ribbon saddle, but it was gorgeous and I have the photos to prove it.
I love the Wenger saddles, too. But they’re not cheap, either. No matter how you look at it, showing in Western classes in breed shows is pricey.
My BR show saddle held its value much better than the Chavez did, and it sold in two days. That’s another thing to consider when looking.
There are a number of great saddles offered these days, but some things to keep in mind:
-set a realistic budget
-consider used on Tacktrader, ebay, etc. This has its own hassles but… can get you more saddle for less $.
-Blue Ribbon and Harris both offer sweeteners to trainers to recommend their saddles to their clients. You should know this up front, but it is generally a secret.
-Broken Horn, Kathy’s are two California brands that are very nice saddles and good values.
-Harris and Blue Ribbon are A saddles in quality, options, and price. B saddles might be Wenger, Broken Horn, Kathy’s, Trophy Tack. C would be Chavez, Circle Y, etc. Anyone can argue these rankings but you should get a feel for what a saddle in each group offers and costs.
-Make sure whatever you get fits your horse. Western saddles don’t have near the drama and hand-wringing over fit that dressage or English saddles do, but it’s still gotta not pinch the horse or rider!
[QUOTE=Doctracy;8323964]
Trophy Tack has great show saddles. Same quality,less money. In Bixby,OK.[/QUOTE]
Trophy tack is unfortunately no more. Sad about it as I got lots of quality stuff from them over the years including custom chaps.
Thank you everyone for your replies. I ended up finding and purchasing a lovely Harris saddle. 2008, looks brand new and got it for less than half of a new one.
Something my daughter can have for years to come.
Congrats! Just be sure to do your homework on how to clean and condition it properly. Most of the value of those saddles hinges on the color. Personally I’d call Harris and ask them but wait until after Congress and the World Show. Whatever you do, do NOT use regular neatsfoot oil, even the Lexol non darkening type.
When we showed nationally we maintain a diary on the judges, what they appeared to like/dislike. We did so mainly because of the line of horses we had and there was a trend in the breed we have at the time for some judges to favor one style over the other.
Rarely did we notice a trend toward specific tack however if the tying of class became tight, tack then became a point
[QUOTE=sandsarita;8343547]
Trophy tack is unfortunately no more. Sad about it as I got lots of quality stuff from them over the years including custom chaps.[/QUOTE]
OH,you’re kidding! I have a nice Trophy Tack that I just use as a work saddle now. My show saddle I had was actually an Allen Brothers saddle and I sold it 20 years after I bought it for more than I paid new. I think they are only making ranch type saddles, now that Stanley is gone.
[QUOTE=Doctracy;8353575]
OH,you’re kidding! I have a nice Trophy Tack that I just use as a work saddle now. My show saddle I had was actually an Allen Brothers saddle and I sold it 20 years after I bought it for more than I paid new. I think they are only making ranch type saddles, now that Stanley is gone.[/QUOTE]
Unfortunately I am not. The owner died a while back and the family decided to close. Very sad as it was the best tack store in the state for Oklahoma. I gave them a lot of business over the years
