Once Raced Champions

An ancient saddle sitting around at a barn where I rode for a short while. I was curious about the story behind it, because it appeared to be a racing saddle, and the barn was a hunter/jumper one, so it stuck out. Also, the tree was coming apart so much that the stitching was visible, which meant it was well-used at one time as well...used in rain and such, all kinds of weather. If it was just sitting in a barn, it wouldn't simply come apart like that unless it was incredibly old. Wondered if it was left behind by someone who owned the farm before -- perhaps it was a racing farm at one time. Not sure. In any event, someone put some long hours riding in this saddle, and when I took the shot, I felt the strange historical presence. 

Kind of wondered if it was some magnificent, champion jockey's saddle tucked away, leaving a mark, and no one was aware of how special it was.

C.A. MacConnell