Thank you, this is my 14th saddle. The TCAA is an association that was started by some of the best saddle makers, braiders, silversmiths, and bit and spur makers. Their mission is to keep the tradition and cowboy arts alive. They have a scholarship program that allows the applicant to go work with one of the members. The members allow the applicant to come to their shop and spend approximately a week observing them building a saddle, bit, or bosal, etc. You can view their work at www.tcowboyarts.org Thanks, Dave Beagle