Lightning Contender Barrel Saddle | Made in USA!
Lightning fast and lightweight, Martha built the Martha Josey Lightning Contender for the barrel racer who doesn’t want the extra weight and bulkiness of a full-skirt saddle. The lack of excess weight on the horse’s back lightens the load and ability to travel faster, decreasing their time in the arena. Instead, the cutout skirt of the saddle eliminates extra pressure on the horse’s back when in competition, ensuring a close contact fit and balance for both you and your horse. The dark chocolate roughout, braided strings, and lightning bolt conchos dress up this functional yet attractive saddle that will surely take you to the winner’s circle.
IDEAL FOR:
•The barrel racer looking for a wide swell and tall cantle (5”) to keep them in a more ideal position through runs.
•The barrel racer who rides multiple horses and may need different rigging capabilities for those different horses.
•The barrel racer looking to improve their run times by reducing their saddle weight.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT:
•Created and curated by barrel racing legend, MARTHA JOSEY!
•A secure 5” cantle with wide swells lets the rider stay locked in and properly balanced through a powerful run.
•Short skirts make this saddle a GREAT option for shorter-backed horses.
HELPFUL TIPS:
•3-Way Adjustable In-Skirt rigging combines the features of a standard western dee rig with the opportunity to change the rigging position to Full, 3/4, or 7/8 by merely changing the tie strap. NOTE: Saddle should be rigged the SAME on both sides.
•The Ultimate DURAhide tree comes in two sizes, regular and wide. As a rule of thumb, we recommend a regular tree for the horse with a high defined wither, and a wide tree for the more mutton-withered horse. However, this is only one aspect of tree fit; if you are struggling to find the correct fit, please get in touch with our customer service department for further instructions.
MORE DETAILS:
•The placement of the saddle on the horse’s back is important to function and comfort. The correct saddling position places the front edge of the bar BEHIND the horse’s shoulder blade. This is the sweet spot where the saddle will rest comfortably without interfering with the horse’s movement.
•Here at Circle Y, we take saddle fit seriously! Often, we see riders over-padding on a well-fitting saddle. This can lead to poor saddle fit, saddle sores, and a sore back! It’s a good rule of thumb to always check your fit and adjust pad width sizing accordingly!
•Have you evaluated your horse’s topline conformation? A weak topline can lead to poor saddle fit. Horses with hollows behind the shoulder, asymmetry, prominent spines, swaybacks, and downhill builds need correctional pads to ensure proper fit. Check out our correction pads at Reinsman Equestrian today to ensure your horse’s comfort or call our customer service team for more info!
WARRANTY:
•10-Year Tree Warranty, 1-Year Craftsmanship Warranty
•If at any point your saddle is showing damage, call our customer service team to receive prompt repair and guidance!
CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
Every new saddle has been oiled and then finished with a protective finish, so you don’t need to oil it for about six months. If you’re riding a lot in dry or variable weather conditions, you should oil it sooner. The protective finish is water-based so your leather can breathe, so do not use detergent-based, solvent, or harsh cleaning products. Rub the leather gently, and do not scrub vigorously with soap and water. For more information, please see your warranty card, or contact a Circle Y representative!