I've blogged previously about Bonanza Creek Country, a working cattle guest ranch in south central Montana. I first came eight years ago and haven't missed a year since. The owners, June and David Voldseth are now like family. Just wonderful people.
So, this week I'm writing this post from Bonanza Creek. I thought you might enjoy, vicariously, the guest ranch experience. I brought my horse Skip with me, but when you come, you'll want to enjoy one of the great ranch horses in their string.
The weather is spectacular - bright sunshine and temps in the 70's. This morning we mounted early at 8am and rode to the chuck wagon for a fab breakfast cooked over the open fire. We then rode on to a ridge top with a jaw-dropping view of the ranch.
After a hearty lunch, we again mounted and rode the "high ride" up atop another ridge to an even more spectacular view. You can't help but be humbled at the power 
and beauty of this landscape.
Tomorrow we'll be heading out on a long ride through more beautiful country to a little canyon where there are prehistoric Indian pictographs. Later in the week we'll be moving cattle to new pasture and trying our hand at team penning.
The mix of wonderful horses, spectacular country, gracious hosts, and new friends make every visit to Bonanza Creek a special memory for me and the highlight of my summer.
Filed under Blog by Saddle Sense
The "Used Saddle Pick of the Week"
Every week we scour the Internet searching for a particularly juicy bargain on a high quality used western saddle and feature it here on the WSG Saddle Blog. The saddles featured are listed for sale on ebay as of the date of the post.
The Western Saddle Guide is not the seller of the saddles featured and does not make any representations about them. We encourage all potential buyers to do their own due diligence on the seller and the saddle before purchasing.
Call me old fashion, but I like a western saddle to LOOK like a western saddle. Many of the new western saddle designs sure don't look western to me. That's why I love vintage saddles. They always look like western saddles.
Circle Y saddles from 25 or 30 years ago are great vintage saddles to shop for. They were well made with quality materials.
This week we've found a very nice 13" Circle Y youth trail saddle. This saddle is in great shape and has many miles left on it. This would be a so much better choice for a young rider than a brand new, inexpensive saddle.
The saddle has a 6 1/2" gullet and in-skirt full rigging. The suede seat is a worn but still in good shape. The saddle is dark oil, fully floral tooled with silver lacing on the cantle and fork bindings. This is a handsome saddle.
We present the Saddle Blog's Used Saddle of the Week:
Vintage Circle Y 13" Youth Saddle
Check out other Circle Y saddles for sale in our tack shop.
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The "Used Saddle Pick of the Week"
Every week we scour the Internet searching for a particularly juicy bargain on a high quality used western saddle and feature it here on the WSG Saddle Blog. The saddles featured are listed for sale on ebay as of the date of the post.
The Western Saddle Guide is not the seller of the saddles featured and does not make any representations about them. We encourage all potential buyers to do their own due diligence on the seller and the saddle before purchasing.
This week we've found a real bargain. Pay attention to this one because it seems to be slipping through the cracks. The current bid (as of this writing) is only$10.51!!
The Pick this week is a very nice Blue Ridge barrel racing saddle. Blue Ridge is an older brand that doesn't seem to get a lot of notice, but, like Dakota, it is a solid, no-frills saddle line. Well built saddles for a good price.
The saddle is a well-broken in, but still in good condition, 15" barrel racing saddle with a 7" gullet. It has rough out fenders and side jockeys and a basket tooled skirt.
Lots of great miles left on this saddle. At the price, it would make a nice extra saddle to have around the barn.
We present the Saddle Blog's Used Saddle of the Week:
Blue Ridge 15" Barrel Racing Saddle
Check out other Blue Ridge saddles for sale in our tack shop.
