ASMA

Just a reminder, if you are interested in the breakfast we need to have a head count by May 18. The breakfast is free, so email your registration today. Thanks, Bob

1ST ANNUAL SADDLE MAKERS BREAKFAST GATHERING ASMA will hold a SADDLE MAKERS BREAKFAST GATHERING this May during the Sheridan Trade Show, May 20 to 23, 2010. The Gathering will be a sponsored breakfast buffet with a round table discussion. The breakfast is limited to 40 registered attendees. May 22, 2010 7:00 AM TO 9:00AM Snow Goose Room at the Best Western Sheridan Center 7:00 AM -- 8:00 AM Breakfast 8:00 am -- 9:00am round table discussion To register send an email with your name and address to breakfast@saddlemakers.org or call 1-719-494-2848 You must be registered by May 15th or the fee is $10.00 SPONSORS ASMA ** BOWDEN SADDLE TREE CO ** NETTLES STIRRUPS

This problem with stolen images seams to be a growing problem and falls within the mission of the AMERICAN SADDLE MAKERS ASSOCIATION. We need to start building a database on each infraction. For those who have had a problem please email all the details to info@saddlemakers.org With the subject "Stolen Images". ASMA will archive each situation and start building the database that we can use in the future to address the problem as needed.

I have been watching this subject and have bit my tongue until now. I can not agree more with Shelly and Keith. As both Shelly and Keith know, I have been on this price soap box for over 15 years now and have seen some progress, but not enough to win the battle. The question is, what constitutes a "good ranch saddle"? To define what is a good ranch saddle is a major task. The short version might be: a saddle that can bee ridden for 6 to 8 hours a day 4 to 5 day a week for 5 years comfortably for both horse and rider, handle the stress of roping 1000+ pound cattle on a daily basis, etc. A custom/hand made or the better production "factory" saddle might meet these needs. Looking at a plain Jane roping saddle made by Courts, Circle Y, Colorado Saddlery, and Cactus Saddlery, you have an average wholesale price of around $1,425.00. Using an average retail markup the retail price is about $ 2,375.00. You can buy a Ford F-150 for $25,000.00, but it is not going to haul your 4 horse slant with living quarters or a stock trailer that can haul 10 horses. You might get by a few times without blowing a transmission. What you will probably needis a F-350 super duty at $60,000.00+. For the "gentleman rancher" a production saddle might work! Also, it seemed to me we were not all on the same page. We need some general reference points. Quoting Shelly "and they all have 'Custom Made', 'Hand Made', etc, giving the customer buying these cheaper factory saddles the impression that these are high quality, custom saddles...". What is the definition of a custom saddle, hand made saddle, production saddle, etc.? ASMA has addressed this in our STANDARDS AND PRACTICES section of our website. These definitions are purposely broad or one would have way too many categories to be useful. As to price, again, ASMA in the STANDARDS AND PRACTICES section we detail the minimum national average cost for a custom saddle. As a note: using the U.S. poverty rate income for a family of 4 the minimum national average cost for a custom saddle is $2,223.97. The numbers tell it all. I invite you to go to the ASMA website for the details. www.saddlemakers.org In all fairness to Mr Snead, at $1500.00 wholesale, he is in line with the other production companies. Respectfully submitted, 　 Bob