6 Weeks ’til Christmas: Great Gift Ideas

John Burgan has made a serious name for himself in the saddle-making craft with his Roo-Hide saddles. Originally from Australia (hence the Roo-Hide name and look), Burgan moved to the United States in 1984, and gradually grew a saddle-making business, having been fascinated with leatherwork since he was a child.

Roo-Hide\’s semi-truck and traveling tack trailer have become a familiar sight at many national shows.

Here\’s his \”shop\” in Ogden, Utah, at the NCHA Western National Finals.

Roo-Hide saddles have been known as quality pieces, and many of the trainers and riders I know own and use Roo-Hides. Swear by them. Love them.

We all know the value of a great quality saddle, but priced from $4,000 to $6,000 U.S. (not that the currency matters much at the moment, with the dollar at par), a Roo-Hide saddle is a dear purchase.

At least, until the Brumby.

At $2,450 U.S., Roo-Hide\’s new line of saddle is quality at an affordable price. I\’m not sure these are yet available in Canada, but if you\’re in the market for a good quality saddle as a gift, they might be well worth checking out.

That places us halfway through our Christmas gift idea count-down. I\”m hoping to catch up to the calendar sometime soon, perhaps even next week. Stranger things have happened.

In the meantime, be sure to check out the Christmas Gift Guide on the Home Page of www.westernhorsereview, and if you didn\’t catch them, earlier posts to this series of Great Gift Ideas.