The Saddle Maker's Bench

Long Time, No See!

2012-01-14T19:38:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone, sorry it's been so long since I have posted anything here. Like I said in my last post, we've been really busy in the shop. Since then we've moved all the saddle makers into the new Saddle Shop. We're now up and running full speed!

We've also added several new sponsorships like....

Matt Sherwood, PRCA Team Roper, who finished 2011 3rd place in the world standings 6th place in the Wrangler NFR.

Olin Hannum, PRCA Steer Westler who finished 2011 10th place in the world standings, and 15th in the Wrangler NFR.

PRCA Bareback Rider, Kaycee Feild, who finished 2011 1st place in the world standings and 1st in the Wrangler NFR!

We also added Jody Sheffield to our team, WPRA Barrel Racer who finished 8th place in the world standings.
Congratulations! You are all winners!

We had a great Finals and 2011 is in the books as a great year! We are in the Saddle Shop, busy filling orders taken at the Finals. We are also looking foreward to an even better 2012!

We are also working on some new designs for 2012 as well, but more on that next time.

'Til then...

Exciting New Directions!

2011-04-07T19:09:00.009-06:00

It has been really exciting around the saddle shop lately. We have been working on several sponsorships. From the show arena to the rodeo arena, we have been meeting with some major players.

Brand new saddle designs and improvements on old designs has been keeping us very busy.

Personally, I am very excited to announce our partnership with Marty Simper. Marty has been very instrumental in the designing process of our new reining saddles. Marty is a gentleman in every sense of the word and I appreciate his willingness to share his knowledge with me in designing this saddle, and look forward to our future association. Thanks Marty. You are a Class Act.
Check out Marty's website www.martysimpershowhorses.com

I am also excited about several new sponsorship prospects and can hardly wait to announce the names that we will be working with, but...I'll have to wait a little longer. Sorry. Keep checking back!

April Western Horseman Ad

2011-03-23T18:04:00.003-06:00

This is our ad that will appear in the April issue of Western Horseman Magazine. James makes some really good looking chaps, don't you think?

"What I do, I do for the horse."

2011-02-27T15:05:00.008-07:00

Many years ago, I read an article where Ray Hunt was quoted saying, "What I do, I do for the horse".

Those words touched me very deeply. It was such a simple statement, but at the same time so profound. Suddenly, I had a definition for why I did what I did.
Horses are these wonderful, willing creatures who allow us to do amazing things because of (or inspite of) our partnership with them.
Because of this simple quote, I made it my goal to always consider the horse first. How is what I am doing, or what my customer wants me to do going to affect the ability of the horse to do his job.
Someone once asked me if I had ever made the perfect saddle. I said "No. And I hope I never do". My thinking was that if I believe I have attained perfection in my work, there is nothing left to aspire to.
I never met Ray Hunt, but many of his words have had a great influence on my life. Statements like, "It's amazing what you can learn, once you have already learned all there is to learn". Another great quote by Mr. Hunt, "It takes a lifetime to learn how to live a lifetime".

Mr. Hunt, thanks for the wisdom you passed on. You had a great effect on many people.

April Cowboys and Indians Article

2011-02-25T17:54:00.005-07:00

Look for our upcoming feature item in the Horizon page of the April Cowboys and Indians.

Hits Newsstands March 1st, 2011!

The Horizon section is a catalog type page that features about 4-8 items and we were selected to be one of those items. The copy below will be featured along with the item. (Horizon section usually found between pg. 46-50)

Whether riding your horse in the pasture or riding your iron horse down the highway Burns Saddlery has got you covered in style with custom leather chaps. Contact Burns’ Custom Leather Shop, serving your needs since 1876, 1.800.453.1281 ($1000). www.burnssaddlery.com.

This particular pair of chaps was a team effort between James and Jenni. James constructed the legs of the chaps and Jenni carved and filligreed the yokes. She also did the buckstitching.

April Cowboys and Indians Ad

2011-02-24T17:57:00.006-07:00

Our new Precious Metal Snakeskin Print boots in short side-zip and Regal construction.

GB9703-S53 $799.95

Short side-zip

Height 7”

GB9709-54 $799.95

Regal construction

Height 11”

Flat seams and inner pull straps

"Out Wickenburg Way"

2011-02-14T08:00:00.002-07:00

James and Matt, two of our saddlemakers, will be in Wickenburg, Arizona this week for the 11th annual "SouthWest LeatherWorkers Trade Show".
They will be attending several of the workshops there. Hopefully they will be coming back full of knowledge that they can pass on to the rest of us.
They will also be spending some time at the trade show and visiting with some of our current suppliers and possibly finding new suppliers to help us stay fresh!
Have fun guys and stay out of trouble!

Court's Saddlery

2011-02-12T23:08:00.005-07:00

All this week, as I have been going about my seemingly hectic life, I have been thinking about our friends at Court's Saddlery. On January 9, 2011, their company experienced a devistating fire that destroyed their inventory, records and offices.
Fortunately, no one was hurt.
Within two days, they announced that they would be re-building. What a task! They seem to be committed and moving ahead with their plans.

Here's wishing the Court family all the best!

Court's Saddlery Blog

"Saddle Fitting"

2011-02-05T14:07:00.004-07:00

I was talking to a young lady whose sister received one of our Burns Custom Barrel Racing Saddles as a Christmas present. She told me that her sister really liked the saddle. She also said how "comfortable" the saddle was. I commented to her how we take pride in our ground seats and how the barrel saddles are built especially to fit the female form. I asked her how much they had ridden it. She said that it hadn't been on a horse yet. I figured that they must have put it on a stand, and that was how they knew it was "comfortable".
She said, "On Christmas morning we were so excited about the new saddle. My sister wanted to sit on it so I got on my hands and knees, put the saddle on my back and she climbed on. I couldn't believe how 'comfortable' the saddle was on my back. I put my other saddle on and it really put pressure on me but the one you guys built spread the pressure out really evenly."
I thought to myself, "That is a great person to let her little sister put her saddle on her so she could try it out". My second thought was, "I've got to tell someone my new 'Saddle Fitting' story".

Check out our "Comfortable" Burns Barrel Racing Saddles!

New Cutting Saddle

2011-02-04T21:38:00.001-07:00

(As seen in our ad in the March 2011 Western Horseman Magazine, on news stands February 25, 2011.)

Visit the Burns Saddlery website for more information on this saddle.

Getting Started

2011-02-03T23:07:00.002-07:00

Hello everyone.
Just like every other new thing I have done in my life, I had to start somewhere. I guess this is no different.
I hope that I can share with you some useful information, some humerous stories and maybe some things to make you think, or look at some things in a different way.
I hope you enjoy this. I hope I do too. Please feel free to email me at djensen@burnssaddlery.com with any questions or comments.
Thanks,
Dan