Jesse Smith Saddlery

Jesse Smith has been making saddles for over 40 years. He moved to Spokane WA in 1965, where he built custom saddles for The Tack Shop. In 1972 he purchased the saddle shop part of the business and has maintained a custom saddle shop till this day.

He attended Art School at Spokane Falls Community College where he received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Commercial Art.
In 1979, Jesse was asked to teach the Saddlemaking Program at Spokane Falls Community College. He taught this program and upgraded its curriculum to make it the #1 Saddlemaking Program in the United States. While teaching at the college he also operated his saddle shop and continued to hone his saddlemaking skills. Jesse retired from teaching at the college in 2000, to return to Colorado and the ranch where he was born. Today, he maintains his saddle shop and teaches students on that ranch in Pritchett, Colorado.
Click here to learn more about Jesse's saddle making school.

Here are some examples of saddles Jesse has made for other customers. Call Jesse today at 719-643-5553 to order a custom one-of-a-kind saddle or other tack made by one of the legends in the saddlemaking world.

#9. Transitions Saddle

This saddle was inspired by the transition of the Sheridan Style carving from the 1950s to the 2000s.
It is on a 15" Tim Benard tree with full-floral stamping and fully lined and stitched.

Saddle made for the Don King tribute show

#.8 Cleeta Frier's Saddle

15 1/2" Wade Saddle 3/4 floral stamped with carved horse and bull scene.
4" Monel Stirrups
This saddle was made for a great horsewoman from Illinois.

#1. Tribute to Ranching Saddle

Tim Benard tree, 16", 12" front, 4" cantle
Quarter-Horse tree
Full-floral carved with 8 different ranch scenes
Inlaid shark skin padded seat
Full 18" taps

click on photos for larger views

#2 Ben's Saddle

15 1/2" Lieuellen tree, 12" front, 3 1/2" cantle
Quarter horse tree
Inlaid patch padded seat
Basket stamped with floral border
3" stitched stirrups
Round skirts

#3. Jesse's Wade Saddle

15 1/2" Wade tree, 9" front, 4" cantle
3x3" Wood post horn
Floral carved, basket stamped, serpentine border
7/8 in-skirt rigging
3" stitched stirrups
4" roper back cinch

#4 Tracey's Wade Saddle

15" Wade tree, 9"front, 4" cantle
7/8 in-skirt rigging
Butterfly skirt
7/8 carved floral
Serpentine border
4" monel stirrups
Loop seat with exposed stirrup leathers

#5 Kathy's Show Saddle

15 1/2" Lieuellen tree, 12" front, 3 1/2" cantle
Quarter Horse tree
Inlaid padded seat
Full combination floral pattern
Rope roll sliver laced front and Cheyenne roll
Sterling silver conchos and corner plates

click on photos for larger views

#6 Call's Saddle

15" modified Association tree, 12" front, 3 1/2" cantle
Rough out seat and fenders
3" covered roper stirrups
Round skirt
Brand on fender

#7 Matt's Wade Saddle

13" Wade tree
3x3 horn
9" front, 3 1/2" cantle
Basket stamped
Floral carving
Round skirts
3" monel stirrups

Samples of other custom leather tack available

Custom full-carved leather knife case with belt loop

Saddle bags, 10x10" Full arrowhead basket with brand

SADDLEMAKING CLASS

The Saddlemaking Course is taught by Jesse W. Smith, 2001 recipient of the AI Stohlman Award, on their ranch in the Canyons and Mesas of Southeastern Colorado.
Students will receive intensive personal instruction with emphasis on attention to detail and quality of workmanship. The student will make one saddle during the 5-week program which they will get to keep.