Congratulations Ian
All the best with your new
saddle making venture in England .

 In the six weeks Dan was with
 us taking my Saddle Making Course
 he completed the saddle & gear
 pictured above.

Congratulations Dan
All the best with your new venture.
 

 In the three weeks Patrick was with us
taking my Braiding Course he completed
the braided headstall above.

Congratulations Patrick on a job well done.

 In the three weeks Walter was with
 us taking my Saddle Making Course
 he completed the saddle pictured above.

Congratulations Walter
on a job very well done.

In the three weeks Doug was with
 us taking my Braiding Course
 he completed the headstall pictured above.

Congratulations Doug
on a job very well done.

 In the three weeks Paul was with us
taking my Saddle Making Course
he completed the saddle above.
Congratulations Paul on a
job very well done.

Dear Bob, Lila, Shane and Taylor,

I am now back in The Netherlands and it is now one week ago since I left Canada and
you all. I must say that I sometimes still can not believe I did the saddle making course
because the 3 weeks period was over before I realized it, but it is really true, time flies when
you are having fun. Bob I would like to thank you for introducing me in the world of saddle
building and special thanks for being such a patient and understanding teacher because I had
no experience of working with leather at all. You also learned me a lot about horses and other
horse related stuff but also how to run a saddle making shop. Bob I hope that in the future it is
possible for me to come back to Canada and do an other course. So for people who really want
to learn more about making saddles (and horses) check over Okanagan Saddlery because it's
worth it. Lila thank you for the home cooked meals , I really miss the pancakes with home made
jam and also thanks for the fine conversations at the diner table. Canada and saddle making
were a great experience for me. Thanks for everything. 
Say hello to Shane and Taylor.
Miss you all!!!

Paul

 In the three weeks Whitney was with us
taking my Braiding Course she completed
the braided headstall above. Congratulations Whitney,
on the fantastic job you did braiding your headstall.

Also congratulations on the news
of your future little braider.
 

 In the three weeks Doug was taking my
Braiding Course he completed a
set of Santa Ynez Style Reins

Congratulations Doug, on the fantastic job
you did braiding your Reins
These reins feature 3 strands of 1/4 inch thick  8 plate braiding in the center
joined to 2 strands of 5/8 inch thick 12 plate braiding at the bit ends.
The Romal is 7/8 inch thick, 16 plate braiding, the knots are of the Herringbone style
with a tan interweave

 

June 2006. Few people have a clue of the breath and scope of Bob Land’s knowledge and experience when they first meet him. His is unassuming, a little rough around the edges, and direct in his language and sentiments. My experiences with him as a mentor have been both humbling and enlightening. He is a consummate artisan with a profound knowledge of the leather industry and cowboy history.  He is the stock of true frontier’s men. I want to thank him for the patience and love that he shown to me as my friend and teacher, and I would like to extend that thanks to his lovely wife, Lila. There are no better folks. They are truly ethical and inspiring.  I don’t know where to start, but the work I have produced with Bob’s tutelage is a testament to the total person he is as artisan, teacher, historian, and human being. I just seem to be the instrument through which the projects  have been created. Bob is the Muse! Thank You Again, Bob! And to all those who truly wish to learn to make a saddle, braid a Bosal, headstall, or reins, or whatever your dream might be, this man will walk you through your path, and be there for you. Don’t miss this experience. It’s once or maybe twice in a lifetime if your lucky.  All the Best! Doug Ficocelli
In the four weeks Dan was with  us taking my Saddle Making Course  he completed the saddle and chaps  pictured above. Congratulations Dan on a job very well done.
Mr Land It has been an amazing experience working with you these past weeks, I have learned more than I ever thought possible in this small period of time. Thanks to you I have an awesome saddle as well as the tack to go with it. I have also gained the knowledge to become successful at saddle building. Thank you for all your time knowledge, coffee and stories.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Thanks                                                                                                                                                     Dan Berry
Congratulations Tom on a job well done.
In Lee's  three week Saddle Making Course  he completed the saddle pictured above. Congratulations Lee on a job very well done.
Cynthia completed the Western saddle pictured above  in my three week  Saddle Making Course. Congratulations Cynthia on a job very well done.
Cynthia completed the English saddle pictured above in my three week Saddle Making Course. Congratulations Cynthia on a job very well done.
William completed the saddle & tack pictured above a five week Saddle Making Course. Congratulations William on a job very well done.
Bob Oct. 2007 What a wonderful gift you've shared with me. You are indeed a talented master craftsman and a wise, patient teacher. From selecting my tree of preference and the first measurements of me as the rider, our saddle making journey began. A bare rawhide covered "Association" tree was transformed by way of exact measurements and became the bass for the creation of many patterns. Patterns drawn and redrawn to be balanced: left side/ right side, to achieve exactness. When the balance was finally achieved, only then did the pattern get etched on the hide and cut. Your years of skill and knowledge always showed as you coached me and demonstrated how we put it all together. I continuously appreciated the lessons of why this way and not another. These learning's of integrity for one's work. Done without your help, the cutting, skiving, gluing, stitching, braiding, shaping, forming, would have been a disaster. As it is, I have a beautiful custom saddle, a head full of knowledge, hands that remember, and an eagerness to transfer these skills to my next saddle. Thank you for your historical stories and all the questions answered. And thanks to Lila for keeping you well. William
Congratulations Harvey great job
Congratulations Sheri on the completion  of your saddle & tack making course. All the best with your new saddle making venture.
Congratulations Lynn on the completion of your braiding course. Very nice headstall.
Congratulations Lee on the completion of your braiding course, your Santa Ynez Style Romal Reins really stand out, well done.
Congratulations Jason on the completion of your saddle making course
Dear Bob & Lila, I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful teaching skills and professionalism, I have enjoyed very much the exceptional art and skills of Saddle Making under your guidance, I am sure it will keep me in good stead, when I start making saddles in Australia for other people, you made it a memorable experience that I will always cherish, and one day hope to return for another visit with my son. My finished saddle exceeds all my expectations. The website is a wonderful tool for families and friends back home as they have enjoyed watching my progress Sincere and best wishes, Jason Griener (Australia)

Braided Shoo Fly

The latest work from Darcy

Darcy made his first saddle in my saddle making class in 2001.
This is the work he is doing now.
 

Made by Dale for the town of
Meeker Oklahoma's
100 year Centennial  June 2003

This is Dale's 3 saddle since taking my course
way to go Dale

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