If you’ve spent any time around the western scene, you’ll know a great saddle is far more than just a place to sit – it’s the connection between you and your horse when the seconds count. So we’re pretty chuffed to share some big news: McDonald’s Saddlery is now one of the very few Australian retailers stocking Master Saddles, the Brazilian brand that’s earned a serious reputation among barrel racers, team ropers and rodeo champions the world over.
If the name’s new to you, allow us to introduce you properly.
A little about Master Saddles
Master has been hand-making saddles in Brazil since 1989, under the eye of master saddle maker Marcio “Master” Martins Cardoso de Lima. Every saddle is handcrafted by experienced artisans, and the brand has built its name as the top saddlery in Brazil — the saddle of choice for horse lovers, barrel racers, team ropers and rodeo champions.
Their whole philosophy is summed up nicely in their motto: “You dream it, we make it.” These are saddles built to be beautiful, durable and — refreshingly — affordable for the quality you’re getting. In other words, proper craftsmanship without the eye-watering price tag you might expect.
We’ve kicked off our Master range with two cracking options, and they’re both in stock right now.
Master Barrel Saddle BR2241 – built for the run
First up is the Master BR2241, a purpose-built competition barrel saddle for riders who want every advantage around the pattern.
The seat and jockeys are finished in roughout suede, which is the secret to that locked-in, grippy feel through tight turns and fast runs. It’s detailed throughout with floral tooling and silver conchos with stud detailing, so it looks every bit as good as it performs.
The clever bit is the deep pencil roll seat. If you’re not familiar with the term, the “pencil roll” is the slightly raised roll at the front of the seat – and it does an important job. It tucks you into position and helps stop you sliding forward as your horse rates and turns. Pair that with the close-contact shaped skirts and you stay glued to your horse through the cloverleaf, rather than wrestling a bulky saddle.
The BR2241 comes in a 15″ seat with a 6.5″ gullet on a Semi-Quarter Horse Bar (SQHB) tree. That SQHB tree is worth a mention: it suits horses with slightly higher withers or a more defined shoulder, which is common in barrel breeds like Quarter Horses and Thoroughbred crosses. Priced at $3,600, it’s an investment – but for serious competitors, saddle construction has a real say in both performance and longevity.
Master Roper Saddle Roughout – comfort for the long haul
If your days are spent roping, working the ranch, hitting the trails or competing, the Master Roughout Roper Saddle is your kind of saddle.
Built for comfort and durability with that classic western style, it features premium roughout leather for added grip and security, plus a deep, comfortable seat that’s happy to keep you in it from sun-up to sun-down. The hand-tooled border work and detailed stitching give it a timeless look, while the construction keeps it tough enough for everyday yakka.
Spec-wise, you’re looking at a 15″ seat, a roomy 7″ gullet and a Full Quarter Horse Bar (FQHB) tree – designed to fit a wider range of broader-built horses. Here’s a handy difference to file away: where the barrel saddle’s SQHB tree suits the leaner, higher-withered type, the roper’s FQHB tree is better matched to those stockier, broad-backed horses. Getting the right tree for your horse’s shape is one of the most important parts of saddle fit. The Roper Roughout is $4,395 and ready for work.
Roughout, conchos and trees – quick translations
We throw these terms around a fair bit, so here’s the plain-English version:
- Roughout: leather used with the suede (rough) side out, which gives extra grip and a hard-wearing finish – brilliant for keeping you secure.
- Conchos: the decorative metal discs you’ll spot on the saddle. Equal parts good looks and tradition.
- Gullet: the width of the channel that sits over your horse’s withers – a key fit measurement.
- Tree: the internal frame of the saddle, and the part that determines how the whole thing fits your horse.
Come and have a look
Whether you’re chasing tenths of a second around the barrels or after a saddle you can live in all day, Masters has something built for the job – and our range is only going to grow from here.
Both saddles are in stock now, with free shipping on all orders over $150. If you’d like a hand working out which Masters saddle suits you and your horse, get in touch with the team – we’re always happy to talk saddles.