Beautifully designed with hand-tooled leather and finished with flashy silver trimmings, the Western show saddle is all part of the beauty of the Western show circuit. These saddles compliment their riders and help them stand out among the crowd. But with so many options on the market, which is best?
What makes a great western show saddle?
Western show saddles can trace their roots back to the saddles of the Mexican vaqueros, early horse trainers, and cattle handlers of Mexico and the American Southwest. Modern-day Western saddles can find the influences of the Moors of Spain in their design, who rode for great freedom of movement and jousting. Another influence is the Spanish tree saddle, commonly known to influence the design of the McClellan saddle of the American cavalry.
While modern-day saddles are heavily influenced in design by the past, the current saddle design remains constant across the ages: it is known for its pronounced horn, no padding between the tree and the external leather, and a large weight-bearing area. Your saddle, first and foremost, must fit comfortably on your horse and provide exceptional contact between you and your horse. A show saddle should have a deep, padded seat that allows the rider to sit quietly.
The extensive decoration and intricately carved silver conchos make them different from the everyday saddle. These saddles usually have ornate tooling patterns and silver trim on the skirts, cantle, horn, and even occasionally on the stirrups. As with any fashion, styles and features can go in and out, but most important is that it is a style you love.
The 7 Best Western Show Saddles
You are ready to buy a show saddle, but which one do you pick? Here are seven top Western show saddles to make you stand out from the competition.
Billy Royal® Georgia Classic Western Show Saddle
Double S Wyatt Tooled All Around Saddle
Billy Royal® Mesa Western Show Saddle
Billy Royal® Studded Basketweave Show Saddle
Double S Denver Western Show Saddle
Billy Royal® Classic Basketweave Square Skirt Western Saddle
Double S Tulsa All Around Saddle
Crafted from the finest hand-selected hides, this is a master class of artistry and timeless style. Meticulously tooled in an oak leaf and acorn pattern and complemented by hand-engraved sterling silver plate trim, this saddle will show you and your horse's style. Designed to fit today's modern confirmations, the saddle is built on custom-made wooden trees modified to fit different breeds with full horse bars. The saddle also has a comfortable hand-padded and shaped suede seat for optimum riding comfort. The close contact cut out under the fender provides an unparalleled feel.
The Double S Wyatt Tooled All Around Saddle marries style and functions perfectly. Made of buttery soft, and gorgeous leather, this saddle is created by hand using smooth leather and detailed designs. The saddle is not only comfortable with a seat shaped and padded by hand for ultimate balance and stability while riding. The semi-quarter horse bars are specifically designed to fit the confirmation of modern horses. It's also lightweight, making it the perfect choice to take on the trail or the show circuit.
Step into the show ring with flash and style with the Billy Royal® Mesa Western Show Saddle. Meticulously crafted for the serious rider, it's made from the finest hand-selected hides and features a unique combination of fine basketweave and acorn leaf patterns. The hand-engraved sterling silver plate trim adds the perfect compliment to this gorgeous saddle. This saddle isn’t just a looker: it is ultra comfortable with unparalleled comfort and balance to enhance your connection with your horse, thanks to the close contact cut out under the fender. The heavy-duty stainless steel hardware provides ultra durability making this the perfect choice for your Western show saddle.
Looking for a saddle that stands out from the rest? The Billy Royal® Studded Basketweave Show Saddle blends style and function to perfection. The saddle is hand-tooled from the finest grade A leather hides, ensuring durability while providing a unique character to each piece. The saddle comes in chocolate and light colors, making you stand out from the crowd. In addition, this saddle is built on a custom wood tree and is designed to fit various horse confirmations. It is also constructed with full horse bars to fit comfortably on wider backs and is outlined in silver studs with silver plate concho accents for an elegant look. Backed by a lifetime warranty on the tree, this saddle is beautiful and will give you peace of mind that you are on a reliable saddle.
The Double S Denver Western Show Saddle is flashy and gorgeous with the beautifully engraved, silver-plated trim. This beautifully designed saddle has a rosette tooling pattern and is built on a lightweight rawhide-wrapped fiberglass tree. Perfect for an entry-level rider, this saddle is nicely balanced for correct rider positioning. It is incredibly comfortable, with the suede seat and cut-away under fenders offering the ultimate close-contact feel. Perfect as a starter saddle for someone learning to ride or looking to try a pleasure class!
When you are looking for a saddle that can go from show to the trail, the Billy Royal® Classic Basketweave Square Skirt Western Saddle is the perfect choice. The leather has a basketweave pattern that looks lovely and intricate, offering the ultimate comfortable ride. This saddle is built on a custom-made wooden tree to be designed to fit various horses. Constructed with full horse bars, it fits comfortably on wider backs, making it a perfect choice for any horse in your barn. The balanced padded seat is hand-shaped and provides excellent balance while also keeping you centered and optimizing your performance, whether at home or at the show. Heavy-duty hardware is included to attach various training aids, making this saddle extremely versatile.
The Double S Tulsa All Around Saddle is the perfect choice for a show-stopping saddle that's both beautiful and comfortable. Beautifully built on a lightweight favorite glass tree, this saddle boasts a comfortable hand-shaped and padded seat that ensures a well-balanced ride every time. The saddle is designed with a short skirt which is perfect for young or short-backed breeds, and has a gorgeous design with a dark suede seat for a stylish look. Whether you buy this in chestnut or dark colors, your horse will be stylish in the show ring or home.
Having a western show saddle that showcases your style and provides a comfortable seat and close contact is essential to give you the confidence you need in the show ring. At Schneiders, we work hard to ensure you have the right information and the perfect selection to stand out in any competition.
