Observer Passes: Five Days to a Finished Saddle

Observer Passes

Not ready to build your own saddle?

A limited number of $200 daily Observer Passes will be available for those who want an inside seat to the action. With only ten observer spots per day, attendees can watch the entire process unfold, ask questions, take notes, and gain valuable insight from three master saddle makers as they guide their students through the build.

Observer Passes are observation-only and do not include any hands-on participation, bench time, or access to materials.

Bonus for Full-Week Observers

Attend all five days of the Saddle Observer Experience and receive lifetime access to Matt Wanner's How to Build a Saddle course on Learn with Illume. You'll be able to revisit key techniques, review the complete saddle-building process, and continue learning long after the Pendleton Leather Show has ended.

Daily Build Schedule

Day 1: The Foundation

Where every great saddle begins.

• Ground Seat
• Cantle Back
• Gullet Cover
• Swell Cover
• Skirts Blocked

Day 2: Taking Shape

Turning raw materials into a working saddle.

• Skirt Plugs
• Seat
• Fenders Stretched (one may already be prepared)
• Back Billet Dees (optional)
• Jockey Fit

Day 3: Function Meets Craftsmanship

Installing the pieces that make a saddle perform.

• Rigging Plates
• Shearling
• Cantle Binding
• Billets (one may already be prepared)
• Back Cinch

Day 4: Bringing It All Together

Assembly, refinement, and final construction.

• Horn
• Oil
• Strings (pre-edged, slicked, and ready for installation)
• Final Assembly

Day 5: The Finish Line

Complete your build with guidance from master saddle makers.

• Open Work Session
• Individual Coaching
• Troubleshooting & Adjustments
• Final Completion

Lunch are aviliable for pre orders for Wen & Thursday here 

CLASS REFUND POLICY:

100% refund through Oct. 1st

80% refund through Oct. 20th

No refund from Oct 21st through the end of the show