Vinton Saddlery

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Larry began his saddle making career in 1976 in Amarillo, TX where he attended TSTI. After school he returned to Nebraska where he continued to build saddles while he rodeoed. In 1987 Larry accepted a job offer with Texas Saddlery. Two years later, in 1989, he relocated to San Angelo, TX where he worked as a saddlemaker for Piland Saddlery. In 1991 Larry started his own business - Coats Saddlery, specializing in building barrel racers, cutters, and ropers. Larry has been doing business with Arlen since 1976, using Ritter Saddletrees since day one. World Champion cutters, barrel racers and team ropers are riding Coats Saddles, making it a recognized and respected name in the industry. Larry has always exclusively used Ritter (now Bowden ) saddletrees in his saddles. Arlen began working in the saddletree business in 1976 when his father purchased Ritter Saddletrees in El Paso, TX. Arlen started at the bottom learning all aspects of tree building, from applying putty to the technical aspects of cutting out and building trees by hand. Arlen was involved in the day to day workings of the company and as the company grew he helped implement the many changes that came with progress. Arlen was instrumental in acquiring the company's two CNC machines and has responsibility for digitizing the patterns and overseeing the production process. Saddles built with trees cut on the CNC machines are more accurate, assuring the best quality, consistency and fit. Arlen continues with Bowden Saddle Tree Company today. By 1991, Arlen and Larry had already been doing business with each other for 15 years. On September 1, 1995 they teamed up to form Vinton Saddle Company to bring a lower priced, quality saddle to the market. In those early days parts for the saddles were sent to Mexico where the saddles were assembled. The saddles were then finished in Vinton, TX. In 1998 the Partners felt that their saddles should bear the Made in the USA label, so the entire production processed moved to San Angelo where the saddles continue to be made today. From 1995 to 2006 the company produced saddles for the cutting horse market as well as reiners. The company changed its name to Vinton Saddlery, llc on April 1, 2006. Since most of the company's clients were team penners, Arlen and Larry decided to focus their efforts on that market. Also in 2006 the Vinton Factory Riders program began. The 1st Riders in the program were Zach Cisco Schroeder, Joel Lesh, Jared Lesh, Nicole Sequin and Beth Rishor. Zach, Joel, Jared and Beth continue as Vinton Factory Riders in 2008. The company has authorized dealers across the country. Vinton Saddlery, llc is the official Saddle and Sponsor of USTPA for 2008. Vinton Saddles are built with some of the highest quality materials from Bowden Saddle Tree Co, Hermann Oak Leather, Golden Bark Tanned woolskins with our own quality stirrups and high quality hardware. Vinton Saddlery offers a wide choice of tooling patterns for the Buster Welch and Buster Welch Ranch saddles. Our skilled workers in San Angelo, Texas hand make each saddle. With a Vinton Saddle the customer gets an unbeatable team with Larry Coats, saddle maker/designer and Arlen Bowden, tree maker. Both are experts in their field and all these things come together to give you a high quality saddle at a price unmatched by the competition. Always looking to the future, Vinton saddles will have a new look in 2008. The appearance of the saddles has been updated and Coats HD rigging and cutout seats will be available. Experience for yourself the difference Ride Symmetry can make.