Emmet Saddlery official sponsor of mcbhs trophy saddle

BY KAYCEE MONNENS CORTNER

It was “a twist of fate” which led Emmet Saddlery to become the official trophy saddle maker for the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale.

Hailing from three states away in Hustisford, Wisconsin, owner Jon Rafel has been a lifelong leatherworker. Growing up with teams of horses and a reckless streak, he became very gifted in the inevitable repairs of broken harnesses as a teenager. From there, he took on bigger projects for the public, and moved into the original Emmet Saddlery building (named for the township), which was an old milkhouse. There, he built his first bronc saddle for competing in International Professional Rodeo Association rodeos, as he couldn’t afford to buy one.

Two decades ago, he moved to his current location of Hustisford, setting up the leather shop in a large garage, now stocked with “more tools than Jesus.” The Emmet Saddlery put out a radio advertisement in 2021 to boost business, and wound up with one customer who would change the course of fate. A gentleman from the Green Bay area delivered a pile of dilapidated saddles that Rafel would not have bothered restoring at all, but the owner insisted. Among this pile of “junk”, as Rafel says, was an old Miles City Bucking Horse Sale saddle.

“It turned out that it was a Premium #2 Miles City Saddlery saddle,” says Rafel. Engraved inside was the name Cady Tillery. Out of curiosity, Rafel called Miles City Saddlery for more information. It turns out that their records were so good they were able to tell him the day it was sold, who bought it, and how much it cost. A Mr. Jacques purchased the saddle on February 19, 1921 for $105. Somehow, despite being made in Miles City and gifted to a Miles City resident, the saddle resurfaced in Green Bay, Wisconsin, a century after it was sold. Becoming its steward after restoring it to former glory, Rafel set out to return the saddle to its original home.

The Miles City Saddlery was not interested in purchasing the saddle for its museum, but Rafel did not give up. Taking a trip to eastern Montana in the fall of 2021, he contacted the Miles City Chamber of Commerce, where he told his story. Coincidentally, Terri Fandrich, executive assistant, grew up next to the Tillery family. The Chamber teamed up with

First Interstate Bank to purchase the saddle, and the restored piece of history now is on display in the Miles City Chamber of Commerce.

While they were there, Rafel and his girlfriend, Kim Tennyson, were given a tour of the town, becoming fascinated with the cowboy culture and history. Rafel offered to build a trophy saddle for the MCBHS, an offer which was gratefully accepted, but perhaps disbelieved at the time. In the following winter months, Rafel sent photos of the work-inprogress to John Laney, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, who realized that Rafel’s offer of a donated trophy saddle was serious. Rafel was put in contact with John Morford, president of the Bucking Horse Sale, where the final arrangements were made. The saddle was shipped weeks before the event, and the Rafels came later to be part oftheir first Bucking Horse Sale.

“They treated us like kings,” said Rafel. As Silver Sponsors, they enjoyed the action from VIP seating, where the beer flowed freely. “They’re nice, nice people, so we’re going to come back. We get to present the saddle, so that’s kind of fun. Brody Cress won it last year.” Their trophy saddle, bronc halter, and custom-made stand is the prize for the champion of the long round. “We almost immediately agreed to build a second saddle,” Rafel said. First Interstate Bank sponsored the purchase of the materials, and the saddle has already been completed and delivered to the bank, where it will be on display until the week of the event.

Even his trophy saddles are built “rhinoceros tough and butterfly pretty,” according to Rafel. Not just for decoration, all of his gear—down to the prize bronc halter—could be used in competition. “The trophy halter and saddles are no different than the using ones. We pay attention to every nail, every detail. If it’s not right, I literally lose sleep over it,” he says.

“I don’t claim to make this saddle by myself,” says Rafel. Though he is the gifted tooler of the workshop, there are several helping hands, including two other gentlemen, also in their sixties, whose teamwork prevents any undue curse words. “There’s a lot of times when you swear at a saddle. I quit doing those things by myself so I don’t have to yell and scream,” he says. Additionally, he welcomes young cowboys to his saddle shop who are interested in the trades of leather and bronc riding. Kim spends her time building purses, wallets, belts, and similar goods.

“The team at Emmet Saddlery are committed to providing the World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale a championship saddle for as long as we are welcome there,” Rafel said. His crew is already planning the saddle for 2024, and are eager for the hospitality and fun of the 72nd Bucking Horse Sale – hopefully with warmer weather.

67th Annual Home On The Range