1) I am looking for a new saddle and am undecided about what seat size to order. Can you help me?
Saddles come in all sizes. Choose one to fit your body size and build. Recommendations: small person, 12-13 inch seat; medium person 13.5-15 inch seat; large person, 15.5 inch seat and larger. Because saddle size is so important the Josey Ultimate Saddle comes in half sizes.

2) I saw a saddle fitting demonstration by Circle Y at your recent Reunion Barrel Race. They set a bare tree on the horse. Can you tell me what saddle goes with that tree?
The saddle that was used in the demonstration was our Ultimate Barrel Saddle. Horses come in a variety of shapes and sizes and the Ultimate was designed with that in mind. We originally took a naked tree and set it on as many different size horses as we could, making the necessary changes to the tree as we went along, to achieve that all-important fit. When finished, we were very satisfied because the tree fit so well. The Ultimate Saddle is built on a three-quarter, Quarter Horse bar tree. This allows for a good fit on a variety of horses. For extra wide withers, the Ultimate is also available in full Quarter Horse bars. The Ultimate tree is durable, but lightweight and made of wood reinforced with a high-tech fiberglass material.

3) What are the features of the Ultimate barrel saddle that you ride and why are they important to you?
I have always wanted a saddle that would help me and other barrel racers WIN! It should be balanced correctly and fit both horse and rider. This saddle should be an aid to your barrel racing and should not hinder you or your horse's performance in any way. I would like to recommend my Ultimate Saddle to you, because I feel it is an excellent example of everything that a barrel racing saddle should be!

The Horn and Swells
With just the right angle, the horn is easily accessible to allow you to push back going in and pull up leaving the turn. The swells are designed to keep you from going over the front of the saddle.

Seat
Moving back to the seat of the saddle, you will find that the bars have a slight dish in them. This feature, called the Center Pocket Seat, helps keep you centered both front to back and from side to side. The bars have been shaved away, to create a 'pocket' in the area around your thighs, allowing your legs to rest correctly below your seat. With every stride, the natural motion of the horse returns you to center. It cradles you in the turns and gives you a comfortable seat, but allows you to quickly move out of the seat when you need to urge your horse forward to the next barrel. Also, by shaving away some of the tree, you are closer to your horse and will benefit by truly 'feeling' your horse as he works. Your balance and body position automatically adjust every time your horse takes a step, providing a secure feeling. We all know how important security is when you are running 34 M.P.H. and you are about to make a 360-degree turn. Plus, with your body in proper balance, your hands will be smoother and you can concentrate on helping your horse.


Cantle
Although often discussed, cantle height is actually a secondary requirement. The slope or angle of the cantle is much more important. The incorrectly angled cantle will serve as a launching pad rather than keeping you secure in the saddle. We worked diligently on getting the angle “just right” for the Ultimate Saddle. It has a four-inch cantle, and we took some of the fill out of the back of the seat. The Ultimate will help keep you in stride with your horse, so that you will feel more like a team.

Forward-Hung Stirrups
For years, we have seen barrel racers get their feet behind them, toward their horse's flanks, as the horse drops for the turn. Because their feet are behind them, they fall forward and lose control of their horse. They can't get up quickly to hustle to the next barrel, or they pull on the reins while trying to do so, which slows their horse and destroys a quick snappy turn. With the Ultimate's Forward-Hung Stirrups, we have eliminated that problem for barrel racers. The fenders and stirrups are mounted on the saddle with a swivel hinge, which balances your weight and helps to keep your feet in the proper, forward position. All Ultimate Saddles come with the wide, three-inch stirrups to encourage correct feet placement.