Guess who got a real, genuine leather, CUSTOM saddle and is no longer riding in a Wintec? That’s right, this douchebag:
A few months ago I came across a picture of a really cool saddle on facebook that was in Bobby’s colors, so I sent it to him. He actually said it was beautiful, and I politely encouraged him to ask how much it was. It was made by a very small saddlery in the UK, so I thought maybe the price could be reasonable. And while yes it was SUPER reasonable for a custom saddle, it was a bit more than Bobby could justify spending. So he did what any self-respecting manchild would do and dropped many not-at-all subtle hints to his bf Dustin about what a good birthday present it would be. Dustin pretended to laugh it off, but he’s a devious one…
And so began the process of Dustin and I plotting behind Bobby’s back to get him his dream saddle. Dustin emailed the maker about ordering and payment, and I provided the fit details (seat size, flap length, forwardness, etc) and the tracing of Halo’s back. This was a pretty massive secret operation, trying to get the saddle just right but not let Bobby catch on to what we were doing.
Dustin was able to pull off the extra miraculous feat of getting the saddle delivered to him in about a month. Pretty amazing turnaround time for custom, and the saddle is beautiful.
When it arrived, Dustin asked me when I thought he should give it to Bobby and I said please god do it immediately. #1 keeping secrets as amazing as this one is physically painful for me, #2 if he’s gonna show in it on his birthday at his first recognized Training with Halo, he needs to ride in it a little bit first. Guess who legit cried when he got his saddle? He also told me he loved me. Twice. Just for the record.
Because Dustin is the best human ever, he also asked me if Bobby needed any accessories to go with his new saddle. I happily directed him to a real bridle (no more plastic bridle!) and a new saddle pad from Riding Warehouse, plus the saddle maker provided leathers with red stitching to match. He is 100% re-outfitted and ready to look like a total badass. My little Bobby is growing up!
I have never been so excited for someone else to get a present. I feel like we’ve all won here. I also want to go on record with a few direct quotes from a newly-reformed Bobby:
- “My girth actually works. But wintec is shit so maybe I should go buy a fancy one for him.”
- His comment after he gave me his navy saddle pad “It’s gross, it doesn’t match. I can’t have it near the saddle. It hurts my eyes. I’m buying another pad today so I have two schooling pads. White red or black…..”
- “I want to burn this ugly plastic shit!”
breedrideevent.com 
This is the best post ever. I can’t wait to see pictures of halo slaying his first training!
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I’m not sure what makes me happier: Bobby having something really badass, or not having to look at that effing Wintec anymore.
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Getting your way is what made you happiest!!
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Accurate
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Holy shit that thing is beautiful, and DUSTIN IS A KEEPER (and good on you too, of course!)
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Right??? Dustin slayed this one.
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I know, right???
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HOW EFFING AWESOME IS THAT!! That is amazing and gave me goosebumps reading. UMMM I am pretty sure Dustin is the one he loves but yeah sure you too! 🙂 Happy Birthday Bobby early!! and wow that saddle is absolutely gorgeous. Win win!!
it is gorgeous….
PS my British husband loves the British flag on it 🙂
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Your british husband should buy you a black and purple one. 😉
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So happy all plastic shit is gone but what is next to Bobby in the picture of him holding the new saddle?
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their pig, naturally…
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LOL….I really thought it was a pig but I thought no way that would just be to amazing.
I think a blog post about Bobbys pig is needed.
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I was so blown away by the saddle HOW did i notice they have a PIG. YES BLOG RE PIG IS NEEDED SOON! 🙂
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The pig is definitely more interesting than Bobby.
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Ha! The pig blog would be “feed me! Feed me! Okay, now go die and get away from me!”
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That’s a corgi blog
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Where do I get a Dustin? Do you lease him out by the hour, too?
(you are such a good friend!)
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Dustin has a lot more pride and self-respect than Bobby, so I’m not sure he’s quite as attainable.
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Dammit.
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No! I am not share-bear! Haha!
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OMG that is a STUNNING saddle and Dustin wins the SIGNIFICANT OTHER OF THE CENTURY AWARD!! HOLY COW! This is truly a relationship that will stand the test of time!
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omg. best post ever. and i really laughed at the end.
(ps: bobby – not only does your bf appear to have money but he also supports your horse habit. i suggest you lock that shit down asap)
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Haha!! He isn’t escaping after 13 years!
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That’s a beautiful saddle. What an awesome gift. Way to go Dustin for making that happen and Amanda for helping make sure it was done right. Halo looks happy, too.
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The most unlikely duo too!
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Congratulations Bobby’s a big boy now! It looks great!!
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ha i kept chanting reading the blog, Bobby is a real boy now (aka Pinocchio!) either works 🙂
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I know? She can’t call my ball-less since I am running Training, she can’t make fun if my gear/outfits since she basically picked everything out… Whatever will she do with herself now?
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Move on to my next project?
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Yes. We have all won here.
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Dustin wins, Bobby wins, all of our eyes win! Is there a website for the saddle maker?
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Yeah but it just has their lower end stock saddles on it – Silhouette Saddlery.
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Um, OK, so Bobby wins with the saddle and for having the BEST BF EVER!!! I want a Dustin!
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Aw, love it!
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I can’t believe you broke Bobby of the plastic tack habit! What a gorgeous set up to do it with- Dustin is a gem!
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I can break anyone’s spirit, given enough time.
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I’m definitely Team Dustin FTW! That saddle is pretty fucking awesome.
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That saddle is perfect for him!! Also, can I just say I love that you recommended a Bobby’s tack bridle for Bobby? So good. 🙂
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Haha! I love that the bridle has my name on it!
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Do I know you or do I know you?
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Hole.E.Crap. How the hell could you even secret for that long? I would have died.
I like how the pig matches the carpet.
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Percy likes to color coordinate himself!
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Everyone needs a Dustin apparently. That saddle looks so much more comfortable for both Bobby and Halo! And man does Halo look fancy in that new bridle.
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I’m completely blown away that they had the saddle in a month! So awesome! And I am so happy you are teaching Bobby the ways
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That’s so adorably sweet! Go Dustin!
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Haha! I love this post! I love you! There, three times!! Best surprise EVER – as a thank you, I will allow you to be the one to light the plastic tack bonfire!!
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This is awesome in so many ways. Gorgeous saddle, great gift, great bf, great friend, and NO MORE PLASTIC! Well done, Amanda. And Dustin. And Bobby.
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Best.Post.Ever.
I need a Dustin in my life. Congrats to Bobby on his new baby girl 😉
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What an AWESOME present. Is it a Silhouette? They are super nice. I had one for my TB gelding ages ago, though it wasn’t nearly as bad ass looking as black with red piping.
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Yep, it’s a silhouette!
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UK brands are so under rated here in the US. You can get a custom or nearly custom saddle for much cheaper than most of the French brands
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This post literally warmed my heart. What an incredible gift! And a seriously incredible ability to not spill such a huge secret! 🙂
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What a great gift!
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That’s an awesome looking saddle. Good job!
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Amanda’s next project: Finding everyone a Dustin 😉
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Not possible! This is living proof that all the good ones are either gay, taken, or both!
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My relationship expectations just skyrocketed
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Looking good.
You should head on over to Ogilvy Bobby and design a few pads. If you ship to someone in Canada they sell you the pads in Canadian dollars, which saves aboot 30% 😉
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Agreed. Kelsey is so wise.
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OMG, that saddle is beeeeaautiful. I would shed many tears, too. Now I want/need a custom saddle– your blog is no good for my bank account.
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Wow! What an amazing surprise. Bobby’s BF SLAYED this one! And you SLAYED it for helping and for keeping it quiet!
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Holy Mother Loving Bazookas. That saddle is so luscious I want to marry it. Congratulations on the new super fly turn out! He must feel fantastic to be rid of the plastic stuff.
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