Carol Gessell

Gessell built this saddle as a tribute to the Native American tribes, who, she notes, were the first people here in our great country. “Our Western history wouldn’t have been the same without them,” she said. The morning glory flower represents strength, resilience and renewal and has a rich history of use in traditional medicine and spiritual rituals, she said. The small images placed into the floral design are inspired by Native American paintings made by the great American artist Charlie Russell, which Gessell had to alter slightly for use on leather – though she attempted to replicate the people, animals and colors of the original works as best she could.

While Gessell crafted the eight-strand kangaroo saddle strings and beadwork, the silver conchas and buckles were made by Shawn Didyoung. The saddle is built on a Steadfast Saddlery 3B Visalia tree.

This little bag, Gessell said, is a design from an older style pommel bag for use on a saddle, where the strap can be wrapped around the horn or secured through the gullet. She first saw this as a “revitalized” design by Cary Schwarz, and said she was intrigued, thinking it would make a nice little saddle bag or purse.  The hardware is antiqued brass and sturdy — appropriate for use on horseback – yet the overall design is attractive enough to carry as a nice purse.

Gessell has always liked the simple design of dove wing style spur straps – yet wanted to elevate that simple design by adding some “pretty” to it. No hardware needed, she notes, just a practical piece of riding equipment.