Nancy Martiny, Meet the Saddle Maker, Part 1

Hello Friends,

Today, I will share with you one of the most talented women I know. She is know by many people for many things; Saddle Maker, Wife, Friend, and Stock Contractor, just to name a few. Mother is how I know her. I am honored to give you a glimpse into the life that sculpted this Saddle Maker.

Born on a ranch in central California nestled in the Altamont Hills , to Bill and Marie Brockman. Besides ranching, her father also worked at fire station. In his down time at the fire station, Bill did leather work. He had the opportunity to build a saddle for himself with help from the crew at Rowell's Saddlery in Hayward. He made Nancy her 1st leather tooled belt.

Nancy's 1st Belt made by her father, Bill Brockman

Nancy remarks "I always wanted to do leather work, and build myself a saddle, just like my Dad did."

Moving to Idaho when she was 5, the family set roots in the South Hills near Oakley on Buckhorn Ranch. The whole family worked together, taking on all the tasks of ranching life.

Jim, Carol, & Nancy Brockman

Now age 15, the family had bought a place over at Kimberly, Idaho. One of their neighbors had polio. One good leg & one that was bad; he couldn't walk very well but he could RIDE. He was in a plane crash that shattered his good leg. Nancy's Dad offered to teach him leather work while he was healing up. Nancy convinced her Dad to teach her too.

The flame was fueled from there. She made herself a belt and wore it to school. Soon all her friends wanted belts too. She was making belts for a local western store in town and had expanded to carving all kinds of leather goods like purses, wallets, and even a little home decor.

College days were spent at CSI in Twin Falls. She majored in Agri Business and competed on the rodeo team in Goat Tying, Breakaway Roping, and Team Roping. Her leather career was flourishing, now employed by Vicker's Saddlery and working her way through college.

The next chapter in Nancy's life would take her to Hamer, Idaho'raising a family and helping run a rodeo company. Her leather shop was set up in the basement, along side the kid's bedrooms.

In1987, Nancy received two saddle trees made by Todd and Dale Harwood. In Dale's spare time, he would help Nancy through the steps of building her first saddle.

Nancy's 1st Saddle

About a year later, armed with a notebook filled Dale's teaching, she used the second tree to build a saddle for her kids.

Above:
Nancy's 2nd ~ A saddle for her kids.
Below:
Picture is Nancy's son Eric riding the kids saddle.
This saddle sat atop many a fine horse, dragging bulls from the arena, beneath this fine cowboy.
Today the kids saddle is still hard at work, helping young cowboys through the growing years.

Orders from friends and family started the saddlemaking career.Today, Nancy has a successful home business based out of the family ranch in May, Idaho.

Here are some pictures of some of her amazing leather work, up to date.

Custom Boot Tops Hand Carved by Nancy Martiny

Full Flower Chinks

Full Flower Saddle by Nancy Martiny
AVAILABLE NOW!
To see more of Nancy Martiny's fine leather work,
LIKE
MARTINY SADDLE Co.
on facebook.
Here is a direct link!
https://www.facebook.com/MartinySaddle

Contact Info:
Martiny Saddle Co.
Nancy Martiny
May, ID 83253
martinysaddle@yahoo.com
208-876-4227

THANK YOU so much to Nancy Martiny for letting me share a small piece of her story with the world. It was an honor to be able to share her work with you.

Stay tuned for more on the Martiny Saddle Story!

Thank You for reading.
See you down the trail,
Mindy Hoggan

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