I've told this story many times. It goes like this. Years ago, when I was 20 something I worked for a family owned tack shop in Illinois, called Pard's.  There I met a man that had a beautiful used saddle that he wanted to unload. I bought it from him for $700. I really didn't have the money, but I had to have it.  A few years later, super down on my luck, I threw in the towel and joined the U.S. Navy. I desperately wanted to keep horses in my life, but I just couldn't afford to support myself back in 1983.  My father graciously bought my horse and my saddle and promised to never sell them.  I proudly served 22 years. He kept his promise, my mare had died a ripe old age and my dad still kept my saddle. In 2012, my Dad past away. He didn't leave much behind. The only keepsake I really wanted was "our" saddle. Because at that point the saddle had become just as much his as it ever was mine.  My family was eager for me to have the saddle back. The gently used saddle I purchased in about 1980, was still in good condition in 2012.  I still love riding in that pretty, old saddle, and think of my dad every time I saddle up.

Finally just last year, I was ready to purchase another brand new saddle. I looked and looked and was ready to buy, but I couldn't find another saddle that I was excited about. I even shopped at Cowboy Christmas in Las Vegas. Nothing got me excited until I located the same exact saddle down in Texas at the Sean Ryan Saddle Shop.  Yes, another vintage saddle, almost identical to my original saddle but in near mint condition. Sean Ryon's grandfather was the proprietor of the saddle shop back when these two saddles were made. The "new" saddle was even better because it was made by George Murray, who was one of their best saddle makers.  Ok, how much did I pay?    $3,500. for a vintage Ryon out of Fort Worth, Texas. For me it is worth every penny.