My Year in Saddles: 2019 Edition

Dec 30

Dec 30 My Year in Saddles: 2019 Edition

Like the last few years before it, 2019 was a little…intense. We celebrated our kiddo’s first birthday, bought a house, fixed up the house, moved, are still fixing up the house, and that’s just the personal insanity! Somehow I also managed to make the most complex western saddle I’ve ever attempted and a micro mini set, work a contract job for Breyer, finish some old projects, donate to several shows, and show performance for the first time in ten years! There are 35 albums in my “completed” file, which is almost three times as many as 2018! I’m hopeful that 2020 will allow us to find a rhythm that is a little slower than “breakneck.” We’ll just have to see what the year brings!

January

Okay, so — not actually a saddle. But this was my first gentle toe dip back into tack making after a rough year, and it felt pretty good! So good that I finished four bridles (including this one) in January. Creating is good for my soul.

February

This Harris-style floral saddle is one of my highlights of 2019. I used so many new techniques and really pushed what I thought I was capable of on this set. It sold via offers and is, as of this blog post, the most expensive saddle I’ve ever made.

March

March gets two - the Micro Hazel set was my first in 10 years AND I had a lot of fun with my Candyland Live donation (it went home with THE Jennifer Buxton!)

April

In April I completed this tiny bosal for the MEPSA tack & props challenge. It didn’t win, but it was fun to stretch my braiding and painting abilities. It will eventually be sold to benefit MEPSA.

May

The Jennifer Show donations - a pair of Collecta (1:20-scale) bronc halters with “TJS” carved into the nose bands - was completed and shipped in May amidst moving chaos.

June

This isn’t the ONLY thing I finished in June, but it’s definitely the highlight. I spent hours in Photoshop getting the Triple Crown saddle pads for this Justify portrait set to look just right and it paid off!

July

Started in 2017, this costume was FINALLY finished and sent to it’s very very patient owner in 2019. I spent over TWO YEARS off and on working on the embroidery, tassels, and all of the braiding. So. Much. Braiding. So. Many. Tassels.

August

I reached what may well be the pinnacle of a hobby tack maker’s career when Breyer asked me to provide the tack for the JAH cover. I can retire happy (but I won’t!). The magazine didn’t hit mail boxes until October, but both pieces were created in August (the riders and photo are entirely Breyer’s doing).

September

September was a blur of show prep - nothing like working up a performance show string from almost nothing to get yourself motivated! I made SIX saddles in six weeks and I’ve chosen to highlight this one. Breyer’s official Instagram reposted this photo in one of their stories and my inner twelve year old LOST IT.

October

October was show month! I had a great time, learned a lot, and ended up with some very respectable placings, including the English Perf Championship!

November

November saw several projects started but only one completed: this cute little pink and black accessory set that was ordered for a model horse Secret Santa exchange. The straps on the boots are GLITTERY and I love it.