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Member
Posts: 25
| I know Billy Cooks are supposed to be quality saddles for the most part, but I remembered that their quality depends on where they were made. Can anyone tell me if the ones made in Greenville, TX are good quality? I'm looking at buying one and need to make a decision sooner than later! Thanks! |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
 
Location: Oklahoma | I think the Oklahoma ones are better quality than the Texas made ones. I only have an Ok one, no experience with the Tx ones, just going off what I read/hear. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Greenville sucks IMO |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| It's been several years since I've seen one, but I remember it being WIDE. I sold it because it fit one horse, a Mack truck build, and I got rid of the horse. |
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| To my knowledge there are no Billy Cooks being built in Greenville Tx ... this shop was run personally by Billy and only had a few dedicated leather workers like the lady that did a lot of his tooling there. I still have a 1981 personally made and fitted at Greenvile by Billy in great shape ... will finally be replacing the wool this summer. Mine has the Amy Gamblin tree in it ... My saddle was one of the last 7 saddles built in Greenville at Billy Cook Saddlery ... I was on a wait list for over a year before my saddle was built!!!. since he had sold his patents to Long Horn he had to take time off due to the non compete part of the contract ...
He started up again in Sulpher Ok with a production line to build his saddles ...
I would buy one of the Greenville Saddles in good shape over any he is making today !!
Just keep in mind 99% of the Greenville saddles were fitted and specially made for a certain persons butt, crotch width, size of thighs, height and how the stirrups were hung ...
so look at your seller and ask what they did not like about the saddle and see if you have a similar body build ... that would make you dislike the saddle ... if you have opposite body build than seller ... then it will probably be a perfect fit for you...
GOOD LUCK ...
Edited by BARRELHORSE USA 2014-02-20 2:32 PM
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 Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12708
| It may have been an inexpensive saddle, but my Blue Feather Billy Cook saddle has worn and held up 100% better than my 'custom' made x2$$ saddle. The seat is more black than blue now, but other than that it's just getting going as far as I can tell. I got the BC in 1999 (?), maybe 1998? I got the Frontier Futurity in 2007 or 2008. The BC doesn't sit well on the rocket mare, and doesn't hold me in as deep, but it fits Zan like a glove and is comfortable for me on him. |
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Member
Posts: 25
| Thanks everyone!! I am supposed to go ride in the saddle tomorrow, but depending on how it rides I may air on the side of caution and keep looking :) |
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 Chatty Kathy
Posts: 6635
Location: In Ky following Barrel Races & Walker hounds. | I LOVE mine. Deep enough for me to really sit a turn, but "free" enough for me to get up and hustle. |
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Expert
Posts: 3147
| BARRELHORSE USA - 2014-02-20 2:29 PM
To my knowledge there are no Billy Cooks being built in Greenville Tx ... this shop was run personally by Billy and only had a few dedicated leather workers like the lady that did a lot of his tooling there. I still have a 1981 personally made and fitted at Greenvile by Billy in great shape ... will finally be replacing the wool this summer. Mine has the Amy Gamblin tree in it ... My saddle was one of the last 7 saddles built in Greenville at Billy Cook Saddlery ... I was on a wait list for over a year before my saddle was built!!!. since he had sold his patents to Long Horn he had to take time off due to the non compete part of the contract ...
He started up again in Sulpher Ok with a production line to build his saddles ...
I would buy one of the Greenville Saddles in good shape over any he is making today !!
Just keep in mind 99% of the Greenville saddles were fitted and specially made for a certain persons butt, crotch width, size of thighs, height and how the stirrups were hung ...
so look at your seller and ask what they did not like about the saddle and see if you have a similar body build ... that would make you dislike the saddle ... if you have opposite body build than seller ... then it will probably be a perfect fit for you...
GOOD LUCK ...
I've got an Amy Gamblin BC, too. Got mine around 1975 or so slightly used. I now live about 40 miles from Sulpur, Ok. I took my saddle to have fenders replaced and they still had the design pattern for my saddle. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | I don't care for the longhorn made greenville Billy Cooks
the "genuine" billy cooks from the greenville shop that he handmade (way back) were nice. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 262
| My sister has a a Greenville, TX Billy Cook barrel saddle for many years now. We love it. I'm constantly trying to get her to sell or trade it to me. Fits every horse and keeps the rider in nice. Nice quality and in great shape still. I would buy another in a heartbeat. If you don't buy can you give me the contact info of who's selling it!? |
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