KEITH VALLEY

This is a mixed floral Sheridan style saddle built on a Wade tree with a 16-inch seat and 4 1/2-inch x 12 1/2-inch round cantle with Cheyenne roll. Features include 7/8 flat plate rigging and rawhide braided hobble ring. The 5-inch Keith Wilson bell-bottom stirrups have been leather lined and carved, and finished with scalloping and tacking around both edges. The silver is solid 16 gauge and engraved by master silversmith Ethan Jacczak, Columbus, Montana.

KEITH VALLEY, Saddlemaker, Billings, Montana
In the late 80s Keith Valley ordered a custom saddle. Frustrated about the long wait, he struck a deal with the saddlemaker to make his own saddle under the saddlemaker's guidance. His interest in saddlemaking grew and Keith eventually moved to Billings to learn from Big Sky Saddlemakers. Two years after living in Montana he studied for three months with Billings-based Chas Weldon. Later he applied for and received a Traditional Cowboy Arts Association scholarship to apprenticeship with Steve Mecum.

Photos by Adam Jahiel