As most of you know, Phil Harris of Harris Leather and Silverworks designs some of the most gorgeous custom made western saddles in the industry. His attention to detail and design is second to none. Even though he has designed saddles for birthday presents and other special holidays; Harris has never made an engagement saddle until now.
Recently, Harris had the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind engagement saddle for Adam Kilian to propose to his girlfriend, Laura Upton of Grand Rapids, Michigan. While Phil has designed some special saddles in his past, he probably never imagined one of his show saddles being shipped to Ecuador as a surprise proposal gift.
“We were honored to have been chosen by Laura and Adam for their engagement saddle,” Phil Harris told GoHorseShow. “It is exciting for Harris Leather to have been a part of this very special moment in their lives. We wish for them many years of wedded bliss.”
Harris adds, “I thought the engagement saddle idea was very unique and I hope that it catches on in our industry. I know horse girls love their horses and saddles!”
The “marry me plate” was done by Phil’s brother, Eddie Harris, who is their master silversmith. “He had to come up with something that would fit under the cantle but be tasteful and elegant,” Phil states. “He hand engraved the inscription of what Adam wanted to say to Laura, which was, ‘Laura you are the love of my life. Will you marry me?'”
Kilian, who is a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University approached Laura’s former trainer, Tim Gillespie for some help designing the saddle.
“Tim was very excited and full of energy about the prospect of helping design the saddle, and I can’t thank Tim and Shannon Gillespie and the Phil Harris crew enough for all their help in making this such a magical and memorable event in our lives.”
Kilian who was never around horses growing up also took up secret riding lessons to prepare for the special trip he planned to Ecuador this month with Laura. Kilian who met Laura on a blind date a year ago booked a gorgeous vacation in Ecuador at a ranch, Hacienda Zuleta which was high up in the Andes Mountains.
The area is known for their own breed of horses, Zuleteno–which is a combination of Quarter Horses, Andalusion, and Thoroughbred. They were bred to be able to sustain the rugged terrain of the Andes Mountains. Kilian said that he had to make sure he could keep up with Laura when they took their rides through the mountains in Ecuador.
So how did Adam come up with this idea? Well, anyone who has dated a horse girl knows that most beat to a different drum and want something horse related when they ask for a gift. Kilian recalls that Laura said she would rather have a Phil Harris Saddle any day before an engagement ring or any kind of jewelry.
“I was really surprised that he remembered because I only mentioned it once,” Upton explains, who is known in the APHA industry as being a 12-time APHA World and Reserve World Champion on such horses as Zip To The Heart and Roses And Chocolate. “It is the most beautiful saddle I have ever seen. I will keep it on display while I’m in medical school, but when I start back showing again–it will definitely be my one and only show saddle.”
Kilian said that over 100 people were involved with helping set up this memorable event, and he would like to thank all of them for their help including– the villagers in Ecuador that helped create a romantic beautiful rose petal pathway and archway for Adam to present the saddle and propose; as well as, musicians playing Ecuadorian love songs on their guitars; the videographers from Coastline Studios of Grand Rapids, Michigan that Adam hired and flew down to film the entire proposal and who also brought the saddle with them to Ecuador; Phil Harris’s crew; and Tim and Shannon Gillespie to name a few.
The newly engaged couple say that they are planning for a May/June wedding next year in Michigan surrounded by family and friends.
“Laura and I will be forever grateful for all the people that made this a fun and memorable event,” Adam says. “It took over seven months to design and create the saddle; and we are humbled by all of the individuals that wanted to be a part and share in our special day.”
CLICK HERE to view the YouTube video of the proposal by Coastline Studios
