NANCY HOGGAN

This child’s saddle was made using a Homestead tree made by Warren Wright, New Zealand. It has a 12 1/2-inch seat, semi-quarterhorse bars and a 3-inch by 11-inch cantle with 1-inch Cheyenne roll. The wood post horn is 2 5/8-inches high with a 2 5/8-inch cap. Nancy has decorated the saddle with a full floral mixed sunflower pattern. It has round skirts, a mule hide horn wrap, 7/8 flat plate rigging and an Oregon cross-over rope strap. It has been finished with matching 14-inch tapaderos with child-proof hoods. Vogt Silversmiths made the sterling silver string conchos.

NANCY HOGGAN, Saddlemaker, Gooding, Idaho
After thirteen years of making custom belts and small tack items, in 1986 Nancy Hoggan got an opportunity to build two saddles under Dale Harwood’s guidance. By the fall of 1988 she had built herself and her kids each a saddle with help from Dale, and custom orders started coming her way. "I have always studied and admired the work of master saddlemakers, as well as other gearmakers and western artists," she says. "I am continually working to improve my craftsmanship." She has extended her education through classes sponsored by the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association, and considers learning an everyday part of her job. Most of her customers are working cowboys that she knows personally, many of whom she has worked with and learned from. "Each show that I attend is an opportunity to meet other craftsmen and learn, and am honored to be able to build saddles for a living."

Photos by Adam Jahiel