I'm continuing to go higher and higher in the showing world, and I'm going to be looking to buy another western saddle. I currently have a pretty basic Circle Y with some silver on it, but I'm looking for a lot more haha. What brands have you guys used? Good and bad preferably. I'm open to all kinds wether it's custom or not. I have a really flexible budget, so feel free to show any kind! :)

I'm not in the western showing world, but my friend who was swears by her Billy Cook, and it is one of the most comfy things I've sat in. Lots of bling too ;)

Not sure what disciplines your doing but I've ridden in and swear by all of these:

Billy Cook: my western pleasure saddle

NRS (not sure which model): all around

Martin BTR: barrel saddle

Any other kind of Martin ever as well

Jeff Smiths saddles are sooooo comfy

Trent Ward Saddlery has really high quality custom saddles

*These are my personal favorites, I'd also look at used ones from NRS as they normally have dozens of new condition "used" saddles*

Just be careful with Billy cook the newer ones aren't as good quality as the old ones since they're now mass produced and not hand made but OG Billy cooks are amazing

Thank you! I show all around for those asking. I'll definitely look into all of these.

O.O what do you show in? Western(obviously) but what do you compete in specificially?

I do western pleasure, horsemanship, eq, and a little bit of reining. (I already have a few saddles since I show in so many different things) but for this saddle I was looking for more of a pleasure/equitation type.

Do you like what I call "fancy western" tack?

For pleasure, I definitely like lots of silver if that's what you mean haha

I got both of my saddles on eBay. Both are nameless barrel saddles, but they are surprisingly good for as cheap as they were. I've had my turquoise one for around 6 years now. Ridden through a deep river, an hour in the rain, dragged cows, ponied horses, and of course, ran the barrel pattern a ton. It's pretty comfortable and in amazing shape for all the crap I've put it through. The other is lighter weight, 5 years old, and used as a speed event exclusive one mostly. It's cheaper made, but still in almost new looking condition. Both fit my horses fine and look as good as any.

When I buy something, my main concern is how it looks and the quality of that particular item. Anyone can give something a name, but a name doesn't make it any better. That being said, I refuse to buy Great Value chocolate milk. Something about it that I just hate.