2024 Open Working Saddle Competition
2024 Open Working Saddle Competition
Open Roughout Saddle Competition
Open class is for all saddlemakers.
Each saddlemaker may enter up to three saddles (entry fee required for each entry). The saddle must be made during the current calendar year (2024) and be in "new" condition.
Used saddles will be allowed at the judges' discretion.
Saddles must be made by a single individual. Saddles made during a training or in a school environment are not allowed.
Online entries are open from April 1st - October 31st, 2024
Saddles can be for sale during the competition. Contestants are responsible for all sales.
Pendleton Leather Show will not take any sales commission.
Three judges will independently and separately score each entry based on a universal score sheet. All contestants will receive their score sheets via email after the show.
Saddles must be at the Pendleton Convention Center by 9am Thursday, October 31st for judging and will remain on display until 5pm Saturday, November 2nd.
Check-in for saddle entries will be Wednesday, October 30th from 1-4pm and Thursday, October 31st from 7-9am.
If shipping your saddle entry, please ship to:
Pendleton Convention Center
1601 Westgate
Pendleton, OR 97801
Please note: If your competition entry does not arrive before 9am on Thursday, October 31st, it will not be eligible for judging.
If you will not be present to pick up your entry on Saturday, November 2nd at 5pm, please include a return shipping label and any special instructions.
Pendleton Leather Show will provide a saddle stand for each entry.
Acceptable for Entry
Any style saddle tree
Any style rigging
Saddle must be functional
Makers mark, logo, brand, serial number visible and normally used by saddlemaker
Acceptable for Entry (not scored)
Roughout, smoothout, and combination roughout/smoothout
Metal conchos and hardware
Brand or initial on horn, cantle or fender
Bucking rolls
Full or partial lining/stitching on saddle
Beadline
Tooling of cantle back, cantle binding, jockey, swell, horn, cinch & latigo keepers, billets
Smoothout saddle strings
Inlay padded seat
Not Acceptable for Entry (disqualification immediately)
Inlays or overlays (except an inlay padded seat, see above)
Tooling on parts of saddle not listed above
Please make sure you understand the rules and guidelines as entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. Also be sure to study the scoresheet for a full understanding of what will be judged in the competition.
Awards
The Northwest Leather Masters Competition Awards Ceremony will be held at 4pm on Saturday, November 2nd in the Pendleton Convention Center.
1st place winner will receive $3,000 in cash PLUS awards package
2nd place winner will receive $1,500 in cash PLUS awards package
3rd place winner will receive $750 in cash PLUS awards package
Each registered tradeshow attendee will cast one vote towards the People’s Choice Award which will be awarded a prize package.