Exquisite vintage top of the line Billy Royal sterling silver Bob Hart Professional Series Arabian show saddle. Collector quality and condition. Dark oil. It's one of the Bob Hart Professional series from Schneiders, and was made in USA in Texas for Schneider Saddlery, possibly by Rios Brothers in Phoenix. Gorgeous deep hand carving. Beautiful quality and craftsmanship that would cost you $8000 or so nowadays. Round skirts are a custom order, too, now.

more pics:
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac95/saddles4sale_2009/Billy_Royal_cornerplate/DSCF0011.jpg
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac95/saddles4sale_2009/Billy_Royal_cornerplate/hart.jpg
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac95/saddles4sale_2009/Billy_Royal_cornerplate/DSCF0013.jpg
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac95/saddles4sale_2009/Billy_Royal_cornerplate/filigree.jpg

All silver trim on it is genuine sterling. The plates and conchos are filigree backed by brown patent leather. The lacing is 1/4" sterling. The stirrups have filigree plates down the sides. There are no damaged or missing pieces. The nameplate was never engraved.

The tree is bullhide covered hardwood. This saddle is in mint condition and there is no tree damage of any sort. I have kept this saddle indoors in my home for years.

Seat is 15" from inside pommel to the back. Might be 15.5" to the stitch. These older saddles sit differently than the new ones, and the "comfort cantle" is low, and the stirrups are hung forward. That gives you more sit room. So, you don't need as big of a seat because you are "on top" with this style of seat. It's open and not a deep pocket style that you have to fit down into. If you are slim to average build, it will probably fit. If you are heavy or extremely tall and need every bit of a 16 or 17 in today's show saddles, of course there's no way this will fit you. In the vintage saddles 15" is the typical woman's size. 16" was men's size. And a 15" of that era rides larger than most of today's 15" saddles.

From Schneiders old catalog: "Narrow seat with thigh rolls affords you a comfortable secure ride. Built on our original slick fork Arabian tree. The sterling silver trim features a dramatic corner plate design sure to attract attention. Intricately hand tooled in our Royal Floral design. 15" suede seat."

Gullet is 6.75" right behind the silver laced rope roll on the front edge. It's Schneider's vintage Arabian tree, same as was used for all their Arabian saddles. Ask your trainer whether it will fit your horse.

Also, http://www.yourredwagon.com/Degree%20Method.pdf plus a front photo, and the free templates for download at horsesaddleshop.com should give you some idea of how wide of gullet your horse requires.

Both fenders and stirrup leathers are full adult length and have not been cut or notched or otherwise altered. Plenty of length. I am 5'1" and my challenge is to get them short enough, and these border on too long for me even shortened all the way. The fenders and stirrup leathers are standard. As you can see, this saddle is immaculate and the next best thing to new. This is an adult saddle, not a youth saddle.

Tie strap and off billet in excellent condition. Tie strap is new, I believe. Has the hobble straps and whatever else is pictured. If it's in the photos, it goes with the saddle.

Tree: Bullhide covered hardwood. These were sold with a lifetime guarantee. They are very strong construction that doesn't fall apart or embrittle with age like the plastics do. Hardwood trees last ages.
Gullet: Arabian bars, 6.75" gullet just behind the laced rope rolls
Skirts: approximately 26" and they are round.
Lining: real sheepskin and it's in excellent condition, very clean, not moth-eaten.
Swells:
Seat" 15" from inside of pommel to the back, measuring where you can actually sit. low "comfort cantle" style for some extra room.
Weight: Not flimsy. Estimated at 30# - 35#. It is traditional construction, and it's built to last decades. Not thin leather, either.
Serial Number: Doesn't matter, because Schneider's doesn't keep any records on these.


>>> No mold or musty odors. NO damage or lost parts. MINT condition vintage saddle.

Headstall is sterling. Breastcollar is silverplate but easy to replace conchos with filigree ones. These items are $300 extra, and are not for sale except with the saddle, or if the saddle is sold. I DON'T TEXT. 4/10/12