In the second part of our Showing to Win on a Limited Budget series, GoHorseShow sat down with Non-Pro Kari Krefsrud of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota who started her own business to cater to the new popular trend of darkening western saddles. Grefsrud reconditions them to look fashionable and modern in the show pen. Darkening old and used saddles is a perfect way to give exhibitors an updated look without having to buy a new saddle. Let’s find out more about the process!
Q: How did you come up with the idea to darken saddles?
A: The idea wasn’t actually mine. A local trainer decided to dye a saddle of his, and I inquired about it–the process and how and what he used. Then, I asked if he wanted to dye anymore and he quickly said no. I talked with my trainers, John and Jill Briggs about the idea and trying it on an older saddle. January of 2011 was the first time I actually dyed my first saddle black. My sister, Lana, and I started dyeing saddles together, but she decided to get out of it so now I do it on my own.
Before
Q: Do you think it helps people who are on a limited budget to be able to use an older saddle and darken it up?
A: Totally! That is why we attempted to dye our saddle in the first place. While I could not afford to purchase a new saddle, I chose to invest some time and effort into reading about the dyeing process and trying it on my own saddle. I think it’s a great way for many people who are in similar situations like myself, and it allows them to continue to show when times are tight and you need to be resourceful in your budgeting strategy.
Q: What is the advantage of having a darkened saddle?
A: Not sure what I could consider an advantage of a darkened saddle; however, at least, in my opinion, an older black saddle looks newer than a naturally darkened saddle. Isn’t that what people are wanting? To make items, such as saddles, stay as new as long as possible? It’s amazing how a nearly 20 year old saddle can look basically brand new again.
Q: What do you like about the look of these saddles?
A: Some may call them trendy–they are definitely not for everybody nor every horse but after dyeing nearly 100 saddles in two years, I don’t think the trend is going away anytime soon. I initially didn’t like that “look” because I wasn’t used to seeing such a dark saddle in the arena, but for my sister and I, it was a way to change a product we already owned into looking brand new again so we tried it. And it worked. After the first show with our new dyed saddle, we came home with two more to dye and the rest is history.
After
Q: Are there any drawbacks to darkening a saddle? Does the dye rub off onto chaps? Anything else that people need to be aware of regarding the process?
A: I personally have not heard of any of my customers having any issues such as bleeding onto other clothing, but there will be some wear–especially where your chaps go and the friction of the chaps cause some wear. Up close you can see it, but at 10 feet, it is not noticeable. Also when people ask me about how long the dyeing process will last, I can only tell them my experience which is two and a half years and my saddle is still going strong!
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
A: I’d like to add that this is somewhere I never thought my career would head. I went to Nursing School and was in health care until June of 2012 when I decided to try dyeing saddles full-time. I am literally kept busy full time, but it also allows me to ride and show horses within my own schedule. Hopefully this “fad” won’t dye off!
