Sweetwater Ranch Antelope Valley

So much creativity here!

Santa Barbara is not so far away for anybody who needs Saddle work custom fitting 

David will be on the road again in November for custom English & Western saddle fittings, reflocking, adjustments, and English saddle repairs — including saddles that are normally only handled by the manufacturer’s own reps. David is independent and most of his work is done right at your barn.

November route (all weather permitting):
• Nov 2: Idaho Falls / Boise areas
• Nov 3: Moscow / Spokane areas
• Nov 4: Tri-Cities / Wenatchee areas
• Nov 5–6: Seattle area
• Nov 7: Vancouver WA / Portland areas
• Nov 8: Salem / Eugene areas
• Nov 9: Southern OR / Northern California (I-5 corridor)
• Nov 10–13: Northern California / Central Valley / Bay Area
• Nov 14: Santa Barbara area
• Nov 15: San Diego area
• Nov 17–18: Arizona
• Nov 19: Southern Utah
• Nov 20: Northern Utah / Park City / Wasatch Front areas

PM us with any questions or to get on the schedule. Prefer to text David directly? Reach him at 435-881-2364 with your name, barn address, and what you need done. He usually replies the week before the trip while finalizing the itinerary. We’re in England in October, so replies may take a few days this month — thanks for your patience!

Follow David Gilpin Custom David Gilpin Custom Saddle Work for trip updates and a one-time $25 discount on any saddle work.

Comment your city or area if you’d like David to stop by — it really helps us see where the demand is!

Pretty funny! For our Western oriented riders just know that the real Rodeo people don’t have a lot of time or energy for buckle, bunnies or dime store Cowboys 

🚨 UNPOPULAR OPINION My opinion ONLY: A rodeo is not a country-themed nightclub with livestock out the back.

We’ve spent the past two days at Stroud Rodeo this post is by 𝗡𝗢 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗗 𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗢 & 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗘 with the Bar3H trade stand—and let me tell you, people-watching from behind that counter is an extreme sport. 😂

I’m all for wearing whatever makes you feel good, but some of you desperately need a full-length mirror and one brutally honest mate.

Some of those denim shorts were less “western wear” and more “denim dental floss”.

Butt cheeks and f***y flaps everywhere—they’d get more coverage wearing one of our under and overs. 😂

Skirts one enthusiastic step away from revealing your entire family history.

Tops being held together by optimism, one tiny strap and the grace of God.

Some of those knockers looked ready to launch themselves straight into the arena. Although, to be fair, they could provide excellent protection during the bronc riding.

Built-in airbags. Safety first. 😂

Then there were the all-white outfits.

At a rodeo.

With dirt, animals and approximately 47 tonnes of dust floating through the air.

That outfit had a shorter clean life expectancy than a freshly washed grey horse.

And gentlemen, you’re not escaping this conversation.

The muscle singlets. The Pit Vipers. The jeans so bloody tight you can see fly’s eyes from 100 metres away. 👀

Mate, if getting dressed requires WD-40, a prayer and two friends pulling on the belt loops—buy the next size up.

While we’re discussing “western”, a giant logo doesn’t automatically make an outfit western either.

Know the story and values behind the brands you support. There are plenty of brilliant western businesses and makers genuinely involved in the industry. Look beyond the biggest logo in the room.

RodeoHouston introduced stricter clothing rules this year after apparently experiencing the same travelling country music video—and honestly, I understand why.

But now for the part that isn’t just taking the piss…

THE FENCE IS A SAFETY BARRIER—NOT GRANDSTAND SEATING.

Please stop letting kids climb, sit and hang on the arena fence. Adults, that includes you too.

The animals might look cute and friendly, but if one ends up against that fence, you do not want to be staring down a excited animal weighing close to a tonne.

And just because the barrel racers are running around three drums away from the rail doesn’t mean arms and legs poking through the fence can’t cause problems.

Horses are flight animals. Performance horses are trained and roughstock know their jobs—but trained does not mean unstartleable.

Keep your limbs on your side of the fence. It protects the spectators, competitors and animals.

And while I’ve got the soapbox out—KEY BANGERS.

You’re at a bloody rodeo to watch the event, not hang around your car revving the absolute s**t out of it so everyone can hear it pop and bang.

We know you have an exhaust.

Congratulations.

We cannot expose every animal to every possible combination of gunshots, fireworks, bungers and sudden explosions before they arrive.

There can be millions of dollars’ worth of animals, trucks, floats and gear on rodeo grounds.

If your car startles an animal and it gets injured—or someone gets hurt—are you honestly going to cough up the money for the vet bills or replace that animal?

I’d bet my bottom dollar you won’t.

You’re potentially flogging the guts out of your own car just to impress people who aren’t even watching.

If you desperately need to make something bang, go home and slam the microwave door.

Being western isn’t about wearing the least amount of denim legally possible, buying the biggest logo or making the loudest noise in the car park.

It’s passion for the sport, respect for the animals, competitors and volunteers, helping a mate when things go wrong and protecting the traditions that built rodeo.

Western is community. Grit. Tradition. Respect.

It’s a way of life—not a costume theme for a music clip.

So tell me: am I officially the cranky old lady behind the trade stand, or what else belongs in the unofficial rodeo etiquette rulebook? 😂

This post is and has always been MY OPINION the safety for participants, livestock and spectators is the MAIN focus and should always be. This post is by no means associated with any Stroud Rodeo, any producers, sponsors, committees or affiliates. It is something that I feel need to be said and respect across the western/rodeo industry should be given to it.