June2015 2019 THE INDIAN TRADER November
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Collector’s Corner
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Evolution of the Western Saddle
collection of his body of work ever assembled for public viewing. This show continues to grow every year and is one of the top national antique events of its kind. Due to its Southwest location, the show traditionally has a unique American flavor By Jim Olson leaning heavily on early American arts & crafts, Native American, western fine art and art,ofbut with some Humans domesticated theethnographic horse thousands years ago. Man began look200 dealers in attendance, it also offered items ing for an improved way to ride them almost fromfor theeveryone start. The–earliest known from the first time buyer to the buyer serious saddle-like apparatus was more of a veteran riding pad andand is said to have been used collectors. Evencavalry, the very by the Assyrian datingfamous back todecorators around 700and BC. interior There is recorded history the Sarmatians early form of aright saddle in the century BC and designers attend the used show,anseeking just the touch to 5th create there“perfect” are depictions of Alexander the Great in aclients. saddle during the 300’s BC. the southwest or native motif for their One This of theyear, earliest, treethe type saddles, was used by the Romans around as in solid the past, show also drew representatives the first century BC. The Western type saddles we know and love today are from many of the major international and domestic clothing known world-wide asand being “American,” but actually trace their and jewelry designers their buyers. Cowboys & Indians had roots back to the Spanish and Colonial times. something for everybody. The Spaniards picked much admission of their equine knowledge from the Proceeds from the show’supgeneral customers this Moors who were nomadic horseman and warriors. As the Spanish settled into year supported the show’s additional beneficiaries, VSA Arts of New what is now Mexico and blended with the Indigenous culture that was alMexico, University of New Mexico’s Popejoy Hall SchoolTime ready there, a new breed of Mexican cowboy, or Vaquero, as they are called, Series and The Albuquerque Museum’s Magic Bus Program. emerged, and they were fine horseman. These were the guys who were taking care of livestock in the American Southwest and California when the EuroAmericans moved into the area. continued on page 14 From the days of the thirteen colonies through the Civil War era, most
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Terri Schurmeier and her son with her grandson, Mac, future CEO and Chairman of the Cowboys & Indians empire.
