My barrel racing saddles were both made by Carl Ammerman and are great. I have a WP show saddle from Bob's ...He is great. As for my cutting saddles.....I have an original Ryons and a couple from Sean Ryon...Great as well. Rope saddles are custom.... Jenn

For english - County Eventer all the way - nothing better! and as mentioned in another post, this saddle did cost more than my first car. Second would be my Stubben - it's an older model I picked up off eBay for next to nothing and have been offered twice the money but won't sell it. Good training saddle for me and the horse since we're both learning to jump. WIll fix either of these before discarding. My western days I spent in a older model Circle Y roping saddle - but my old corporal tunnel wrist just won't allow me to throw that heavy saddle up on my big girls any more (15.3h and 16.2h) Would love to find a gel seated saddle like the one a guy owns at the barn I board at. Don't remember the name but was total cush to the tush and I'd like one to trail ride in.

barrel racing---a 25 yr old 13 1/2" old Billy Cook(handmade not factory line) round skirt- that I had new fenders and new seat put on 3 yrs ago--for my teen girl.Keep 4 ever saddle. -I had to sell my custom Circle Y Martha Joseys Ultimate and Pay windows as the 14" seats were still too big for us-and I traded for a Circle y NBHA 14" that is ok til I can afford exac what I want. -trails- Aussie-old style handmade80's in a small Aussie shop-really nice leather-works nice for flatwork/dressage too -Eng-had Crosby Prix de Nations--sold-like a bit of knee roll in my older years! -roping-"Ross Roper" -no idea maker from 70's was tooo heavy for my messed up ribs- would buy a Youth Wade next time- not roping right now.

For the narrow minded colts or something that's high withered, I'm a little partial to my custom built 1933 Hamley Form Fitter. Was built for my Dad back in the day. Some folks call 'em a Bear Trap. It's been well cared for and seen a lot of miles. He ordered it in 1932 got it in 1933 complete with 18" taps and a set of wide leg bat-wings. The saddle and taps...$60.50 delivered to Baker City Nevada. I've still got the receipts. For a day out working cows or loose colts...1923 Walker Visalia 7/8 double. Maybe they're a little "old school" but tried and true. Incidently, the Walker has been in the family since it was new too.

I have ridden & tested so many different saddles. Ive had the high dollar ones, the cheap ones & everything in between. I keep going back to the cecil phillips barrel & my roping saddle. Nothing fits me & all the horses I ride better! Nothing! And they are reasonable to buy, I also like the bob marshall originals on everything that my CP doesnt fit.

I have lots of saddles, western, English and racing. My westerns consist of Herford, Denver, Miles City and a Fred Mueller. I also have a Roy Rogers pony saddle. I prefer the Fred Mueller saddle. My English hunt saddle is a German made Hauser. Racing saddles, I have training and a jockey saddle, not sure the brand names on them. Kath

Does anyone use a Wintec English Series 250 or 500 saddle or any other Wintec saddle? I'm wondering if you like it and if it's worth the cheaper price. I'm considering buying one for trail riding. I like the close contact, less bulky feel of the English saddle v Western.

Ive recently sold all the saddles I didnt care for, for different reasons, didnt fit my horse, or were uncomfortable for me, they include a CJ Cactus, a Bobs Saddlery, Crates Roping Saddle, trophy saddle, and a Dale Martin Barrel, and am left with my favorite, a Three Forks Saddlery Barrel saddle, with a Merrill tree, Love this saddle everyone that sits in it wants to buy it..next Im getting a Joey Jemison Cutter great saddles.

I guess I'm really spoiled, cause my coach is also a saddle maker. He is Don Bailey, of Bailey Saddlery, Princeton, Ontario and I LOVE his saddles (and I'm not sayin that cause I'm a student). My 1st saddle that he made me had smaller skirts and short fenders, perfect for me. Then I sold it 5yrs later for only $300 LESS than I bought it new. I now ride in a cutting saddle, but still with shorter fenders for my short legs. I've helped him sell a few saddles just by telling people to hop up on my horse and go for a ride in it. And all his saddles are hand made too..another bonus! I've ridden in a Blue Ribbon, Silver Mesa, Tex Tan, Congress and a Billy Cook, but I like my Bailey's the best! Annie

I have two martin barrel saddles that I like. One that is fancy and hand tooled and the other that is a basic rough out. They are both beautiful and fit me and my horses, but I like the rough out much more than the hand tooled as it is less slippery. However, my FAVORITE saddle is a trophy saddle that a friend of mine owns. It was a Lynn McKenzie Special made by Double J. I want to sell one of my Martins and buy one like that.