Isabelle Hunt Memorial Public Library

About This Half-Size Saddle

The Mountain Oak Saddle is a real saddle, just in a reduced size. It was undertaken by Bob Papke of Sunset Saddle and Leather exclusively to benefit the Isabelle Hunt Memorial Library in Pine, Arizona.  It is a tribute to three distinct saddles styles common in the Desert Southwest around the turn of the twentieth century.

Rather than a reproduction of a vintage saddle the Mountain Oak Saddle was styled as the saddler might have done, had he been around on Valentine's Day 1912, when Arizona became the last of the contiguous United States. It has a deep, centered, seat to facilitate navigating the steep climbs and precipitous descents of the Mogollon Rim Country around Pine; a Cheyenne Roll; moderately sized square skirts; double rigging; silver and gold tone conchos: unique hand-carved borders with insets of deer and elk heads; and matching tapadaros.

The carvings feature oak leaves and acorns giving it a distinct mountain character. The fork cover, cantle roll and seat front are rolled and sewn or tacked in a simple clean style without additional bindings. All of these combine to make this a unique work of heirloom art to complement any western, mountain or country decor.