Mine is a mid-1990’s Tucker Cheyenne (back when you could only get them from Tucker). I love it.
However, my favorite saddle is now hubby’s - a vintage Circle Y. He “inherited” it from me when he bought me the Tucker, which is featherweight compared to the Circle Y.
The new circle y’s are not near as good as they used to be. If i had to buy a “new” saddle, it would not be a circle y.
I agree, and the same things goes for Billy Cooks.
The new circle y’s are not near as good as they used to be. If i had to buy a “new” saddle, it would not be a circle y.
I love my Martin trail saddle. I also have a Circle Y flex saddle. My show saddle is a Blue Ribbon, and it’s really comfortable, but heavy. I also have a Chavez show saddle, but once I got the Blue Ribbon I stopped riding in it. It has sentimental value, so I keep it.
Vic Bennett team penner
I COMPLETELY agree. I worked in a tack store from 1997-2005 and watched the quality decline every year.:no: So sad, as the older ones are lovely. If I were to buy new, I would steer clear of all of the mass produced brands.
I have a 1970s (ish?) Circle Y saddle. I don’t like the newer ones as much, but if i needed a new saddle, I’d look for an older one like that one.
Mine is a (probably) custom made bear trap saddle made circa 1920’s. It has the name Fay Rucks tooled across the back of the cantle. It’s very comfortable and fits my rather narrow horse quite well. It won’t do for the wide backed haflinger I’m fixing to start though. I lust after a Tucker Old West saddle. It looks like the old fashioned high back saddles but has all the modern conviences.
I love my Champion Turf show saddle, I even trail ride in it. Otherwise my favorites are Blue Ribbon, Bob’s, Broken Horn, Harris, or Crates.
My boarder rides in a Reinsmen…she loves it. When I tried out her horse for her before she purchased, the people selling it had a billy cook saddle - ALMOST Like heaven - keep in mind I’m thoroughly an English rider I DO not like western saddles, never felt comfortable in any western saddle…but that saddle was wonderful. My son rides in a circle y…I never liked it, but he seems to enjoy it…I also have a couple of older fairly nice saddles, not sure of brands…but generally I just don’t like them - He is ok with them…
Tucker High Plains
–bought used, model just before the Gen II, but still very comfy seat and the wide fits my Haflie. Lots of tie down strings. Works very well and fits me and my horse. We do mostly easy but mountainous trail riding, no team events or barrel racing.
I have 3 Circle Y that are about 20 years old, a Dale Chavez reining saddle, and a Bob’s eq… also older. I mostly ride in the Chavez lately… it’s not as heavy so easier to get up on a 17+h horse.
I have looked at a western dressage saddle…kinda wondering about the thigh block… my thighs dont really wander around in a western saddle sooooo why ??? anyone know? Or is that a question for the western forum?
I have a Bona Allen and I just love it, bought it from our local tack store - last one they ever sold! When I have to get myself a new one - no idea what I will get… I hope my BA lasts forever and ever and ever!
I recently just switched to the Cross Trail, the all leather model made by Fabtron in Tennessee. They are marketing it as the western saddle for english riders but basically, they cut out a ton of leather, so it has super close contact, very light weight at only 20 pounds, leather is super soft and pliable… fenders turn very easily. Memory foam seat… and my favorite part, the tree bars are covered in 9lb memory foam, as opposed to fleece or wool. All you need is a simple felt pad and you are all set! http://gallopinggrape.com/crosstrailfullquarterhorsebars-allseatsizes.aspx
A vintage late 70’s Double R (RR). Hubby got it for me off of Ebay for $150 this past Christmas (I picked it out of course) 
Rides great, fits great, no complaints. 
I have 4 Dale Martin saddles that I had done custom about 9-10 years ago- 2 cutters and 2 ranch cutters. They are like sitting in butter and I never had an issue as far as break in. I love these saddles and figure I should have them for the rest of my life. I look at them as an investment. I love to trail ride in the ranch cutters because the horn is not as high as my cutters but all my seats are similar as far as fit. I picked the tooling and/or roughout and hardware and conchos. They have worn really well!
Just saw something on RFD-TV with Dale Martin on Sunday. He is now president or vice-president of Reinsmen. Does anyone know what their saddles are like?
I ride in a Bob’s Custom Saddlery “Bob Avila Reiner” and a Dorrie Reese training saddle. I love how close contact both of them are!
The Bobs
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http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q2/cowgirlnclemson/DSC_0124.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q2/cowgirlnclemson/DSC_0131.jpg
The Dorie
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q2/cowgirlnclemson/IMG_0931.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q2/cowgirlnclemson/IMG_0937.jpg
I also have two J-N Cutting Saddles and an older Tex Tan show saddle that I won in 1996.
I school my hunter in western saddles quite a bit.
I adore my Piland. The year I bought it I literally sat in EVERY SINGLE reining saddle at Congress. The Piland was the last saddle I sat in and once I sat in it - it was like being home. It is not going anywhere.
Mine too, and I have one that I bought back in 1990 from Sheplers in Wichita while on vacation, it was all by itself in a sea of Circle Y saddles, and the salesman gave me a heck of a deal and free shipping because I was from Massachusetts.
I still have it, had the tree rebuilt to fit my narrow shark withered horse.
I also have a Billy Cook training saddle that I purchased 4 years ago, and it fits my wide low withered horses much better.
For show I have a Blue Ribbon custom saddle, that I’m glad I bought when I did since the price has almost doubled on them now.
Billy Cook, the ones made by him in OK, not the copies with his name from the factory in TX. There is a local tack shop that sells them for a couple hundred cheaper than you can find them online. Hubby had one on the modified Wade tree, border tooling, roughout seat. Yummy.
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