Sometimes, one detail is all it takes to turn horseback riding into a completely different experience. For us, that detail was a saddle – or rather, two of them. The whole story began with our daughter, continued with a trip to America, and ended with a Czech saddler who made us something I would call, without exaggeration, a small work of art.
In this article, I’ll describe the entire process – from the initial idea and the search for a saddler to the first ride in the new saddle. And if you’re considering a custom-made saddle yourself, I believe this will help you decide.
Why we needed a new saddle in the first place
The whole story began when our daughter started taking horseback riding more seriously and wanted to move toward Western riding. We have a mare named Frostynka, and I bought the original Western saddle together with her. The saddle itself wasn’t bad – it worked and fit the horse, but it was simply too large for our daughter.
The stirrups couldn’t be shortened enough for her to reach them, and the entire seat was too roomy for her build. It was neither safe nor comfortable, and as every rider knows, if you don’t feel comfortable in the saddle, it doesn’t help the horse either.
Searching in America and at home
Last April, we traveled through the American West and also visited Dallas. I thought that Texas was the birthplace of Western riding – surely I had to find something there. We visited several saddle shops and looked at various models, but everything was geared more toward cutting or other disciplines for adults. We couldn’t find a children’s Western saddle that was truly adapted to a small rider.
After returning home, I asked various horse-owning acquaintances whether they knew anyone who could make a custom Western saddle specifically for a child. I also asked a friend who runs Equtex Shop, but she confirmed that finding the right saddle for small children really isn’t easy.
Rockwall Ranch and the recommendation that changed everything
The breakthrough finally came thanks to my friend Daniela Vaňková, who runs Rockwall Ranch near Tišnov – a ranch I highly recommend, by the way; it’s beautiful, and our daughter loves riding there.
I wrote to her, partly out of curiosity, asking whether she happened to know of any saddles for children. She replied that she knew Mr. Martin Eliáš, who handcrafts custom Western saddles, and sent me photos of a children’s saddle he had made for her training sessions. She said it was absolutely wonderful, fit perfectly, and made the children feel safe.
I was still in America at the time, but as soon as I returned, I drove all the way to Tišnov – about 40 minutes from us – to see the saddle.
Our daughter with the saddle at Rockwall Ranch:
How a custom saddle is made
I contacted Mr. Eliáš and told him we wanted the same Western saddle made for our daughter. He happened to have an opening because another customer had canceled, and he promised he could have the saddle finished by the beginning of summer.
Mr. Eliáš came directly to our ranch in Hostěnice. He brought several saddle trees, tried them on Frostynka, and carefully took all the measurements – the horse’s back, conformation, and shoulder width. At the same time, we chose the motifs and design together.
And this was where our daughter had her say – naturally, she chose a pink seat, asked for horse-themed ornaments to be carved into it, as well as various floral patterns. Simply a saddle that is not only functional but also beautiful and truly “hers.”
What really pleased me throughout the entire production process was that Mr. Eliáš regularly sent us photos from the workshop. We always knew how the order was progressing – we saw the saddle gradually being assembled, the leather being cut, and the ornaments taking shape. It made us feel involved in the process, which enhanced the entire experience of having a custom saddle made.
The children’s saddle arrived
About a month later, a box arrived via PPL. We opened it and – it was beautiful. Truly beautiful. The leatherwork, the embossed ornaments, the pink seat, and the silver conchos – everything looked completely professional.
Most importantly, the saddle fit Frostynka perfectly, exactly according to the measurements Mr. Eliáš had taken. Our daughter sat in it, and it was immediately obvious what a huge difference it made compared with the previous saddle. The stirrups were exactly the right length, the seat suited her build, and overall, she felt secure and comfortable in it.
The saddle also has safety stirrups, which some experienced riders occasionally question, but I personally consider them a sensible choice for a child who is still learning. Safety first.
Why we needed a second saddle as well
Frostynka is kept at Verča Živnová’s stable here in Hostěnice, and after about a year and a half of training, we had strengthened her considerably. She gained muscle and the shape of her back changed – which meant that my original saddle, which had previously fit relatively well, started interfering slightly with her shoulders.
It wasn’t a disaster, but I could tell it was no longer ideal. And because I’d had such an excellent experience with Mr. Eliáš’s work on the children’s saddle, the decision was clear – I would have him make a saddle for me as well.
American leather: what makes it different
When I placed the order, Mr. Eliáš offered me the option of using American leather, which was supposed to be more durable and offer better long-term quality. I chose it, and I think it was the right decision.
American leather used for Western saddles – typically from manufacturers such as Hermann Oak or Wickett & Craig – is traditionally processed using vegetable tanning, a slow but proven process that gives the leather exceptional qualities.
Compared with ordinary European leather, which is often chrome-tanned (a faster and cheaper process), American vegetable-tanned leather has several major advantages. It is denser and stronger, meaning it holds its shape better and resists wear for longer. Thanks to its structure, it takes embossing and tooling beautifully – the ornaments on the saddle appear sharper and retain their shape even after years of use. American leather also offers better resistance to moisture and weather, which is important when riding year-round.
Consistency of quality also plays a major role. American tanneries supply leather of uniform thickness with minimal defects, making the saddler’s work easier and producing a more professional result. With proper oiling and maintenance, a saddle made from American leather can easily last for decades, during which the leather develops a beautiful patina and unique character.
In short – if you have the option to pay extra for American leather, it’s worth it.
The new saddle and the first ride
I ordered the saddle, paid the deposit, and Mr. Eliáš made it in about a month. Just as with the children’s saddle, he once again regularly sent us photos from the production process, so we could follow every step. The saddle arrived before my February trip to Dallas and Miami in 2026, but I didn’t have time to unpack it – so it waited for me until I returned.
And today, the day finally came. I unpacked it, put a pad on Frostynka, placed the saddle on her – and it was immediately obvious that it fit absolutely perfectly. It was in a completely different league from the previous one.
Even as I carried the saddle over to the horse, I could feel that it was significantly lighter – I’d estimate about half the weight of the old saddle. At my weight of 88 kilos, every extra kilo on a horse’s back makes a difference, so it is clearly better for Frostynka as well.
When I swung into the saddle, my first impression was – incredible comfort. It feels wonderful at the trot and canter, the saddle follows the horse’s back perfectly, and the seat fits my build exactly. I had been a little worried about the seat size and whether it would fit me, but Mr. Eliáš simply knows what he’s doing.
And because I had just returned from America while spring had already begun here, with temperatures around 14 degrees, we immediately went out for a lovely trail ride. Both of us – Frostynka and I – were extremely happy.
Our “saddle collection”
As of today, we have a total of five saddles in the tack room – two for the pony and three for Frostynka. Of those three, one is the children’s saddle by Mr. Eliáš, one is my old original saddle, and now there’s the new one made from American leather. Half the tack room belongs to us, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s worth it.
We’ve been using the children’s saddle for more than nine months now, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Mr. Eliáš oiled it himself right from the start, and the leather still looks great. I expect the new saddle made from American leather to be even more durable.
Conclusion: I wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Eliáš
If you’re looking for a custom Western saddle – whether for yourself or for a child – I definitely recommend contacting Martin Eliáš. He does absolutely outstanding work; his saddles are high-quality, beautifully crafted, and most importantly, they fit both you and your horse perfectly.
The entire process is very personal – he comes to you, measures your horse, assesses your build, and discusses the design and motifs with you. Then, in about a month, he makes a saddle that is exactly as you imagined it. And throughout the production process, he keeps you updated with photos from the workshop, which is a very pleasant bonus.
On behalf of two very satisfied riders (and one satisfied mare), we would recommend him without hesitation.
PS: Here are the complete contact details for Mr. Martin Eliáš:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/martin.elias.355744
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinelias41/
Phone: +420 603 844 435
