2024 Australian Western Makers Expo
The 2024 Australian Western Makers Event has come and gone, but like the leather carvings on many of the competition entries, the impression will last for a long time to come.
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Competition Overview | Beyond the competition | Final Thoughts | Winners Circle
The first weekend of November 2024 was a warm one in South East Queensland, and visitors were glad to view this year’s showcase in the shade of Dalby Showgrounds’ Knox Pavilion. Conversation buzzed and blended with the background music to create the perfect atmosphere for enjoying the work of so many skilled craftsmen and women. Novices and industry veterans alike, enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with fellow makers and marvel at the superb creations on display. Cowboy hats were optional but very popular.
Sponsored by Top Hand Saddlery, this year’s event brought together some of the finest saddle makers, leatherworkers, and artisans from across the country and even as far as New Zealand, all competing to showcase their expertise in a true celebration of the Western aesthetic and the skilled hands that keep these traditions alive.
Competition Overview
The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the saddle-making competition. Makers brought their A-game, flaunting both their creativity and technical skills. Entries featured everything from Australian-style stock saddles to traditional western designs, each piece telling its own unique story through tooling, stitching and other embellishments.
Also on display was a fantastic fully tooled Peter Brophy show saddle complete with Damascus steel horn. Built over 5 years, this inspiring saddle, is a testament to what can be achieved with dedication to your craft.
But saddle making wasn’t the only competition on. This year the event was expanded to include sections for tack, whips, accessories and metal work. Chaps and chinks were a stand-out category, with an array of intricate hand carvings, fringes and ornamentation attracting people’s attention. The impressive attention to detail continued with the spurs and metalwork pieces and there were categories for both roohide and cowhide whips. Carved leather bridles, cinches, rawhide creations and other tack shared the display area where unique belts, bags and even earrings were laid out for judging.
You could have spent hours looking over the fascinating details of every entry, and many people did. As the judges made their difficult choices, cowboy-hatted crafts men and women could be seen discussing the merits of various designs and techniques until the results were drawn on Saturday afternoon, although entries remained on display until mid-Sunday.
Each entry was a testament to the high standards of craftsmanship that define the Western tradition. As noted by the judges, the level of work seen here at this years expo shows that we are definitely not ‘the poor cousin’ to America’s established Western craftsmen and every competitor should be proud of what they’ve been able to achieve, regardless of whether they took home an award.
Scroll further for full competition details and to explore the winners circle.
Beyond the competition
This expo was more than just a contest—it was a gathering of people who share a deep appreciation for the Western way of life and the craftsmanship that sustain it. It has also been a labour of love for its organisers Trevor Able and Eloise Johnson whose hard work had certainly paid off.
As part of the event, attendees had the valuable opportunity to learn directly from a master in a whip-plaiting workshop lead by Bill Glasgow and his team. The workshop provided insight into the patience, precision, and creativity required to master the craft, and attendees left with new skills and ideas to incorporate into their own work.
Numerous trade stalls offered everything from high-quality tools and materials to finished products, including custom made goods, Western style fashion and décor. Whether you were looking to purchase a new saddle, discover unique leather goods, upgrade your workshop or stock up on supplies, the stalls had something for everyone. Visitors who worked up an appetite at the stalls could grab a bite at the pizza stand or order drinks from the Tipsy Texan coffee van.
Event organisers recognise the potential opportunities of running a feature horse event alongside the expo and there are big plans in motion to make this happen next year.
With a growing appreciation of hand-made, quality goods that pass the test of time, it’s great for potential buyers to have a platform where they can speak with many of their favourite makers in person and see the quality of their work firsthand. Its only once you see it in person that you can truly appreciate the value of such bespoke items.
Final thoughts
The Australian Western Makers Event has proven that there’s a strong, vibrant community of artisans dedicated to preserving and evolving the skills that have been passed down for generations and while this year’s event has now wrapped up, we are already looking forward to the next one.
Whether you were a competitor, a first-time attendee, or a seasoned craftsman, the event was a chance to connect with makers, suppliers, and fellow enthusiasts. It was also a great opportunity to learn more and celebrate the incredible artistry of western crafts.
If you missed out on this year’s event, don’t forget to mark your calendar for next year— a tentative date has already been set for September 2025. and in the meantime, keep supporting and celebrating the makers who keep these incredible crafts alive.
Competition Details & Winners Circle
For more photos, check out the Australian Western Makers facebook page or the websites and social media of the makers.
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Whips | Tack | Chaps & Chinks | Leather Accessories | Metalwork
The Custom Saddlemakers Expo
Saddles were entered in three categories. Winners received champion sashes, Bob Berg trophy buckles and cash prizes as part of their win. Toowoomba Saddlery was proud to sponsor the Open and Novice saddle sections, donating a side of Hermann Oak® leather (retail value over $600/side) to the winners of those two sections as part of their prize. Hermann Oak® leather is a favourite among custom saddle makers and leather crafters and many of this year’s entries used this leather in their making.
Here were your entries:
Swipe or use the arrows to see the next saddle
WESTERN SADDLES
STOCK SADDLES
So much time and effort has gone into these saddles,
here are some close ups of the tooling, carving and other details that we saw on the day:
And the 2024 winners were…
NOVICE SADDLE
Proudly sponsored by Toowoomba Saddlery
Judged by Trevor Able
Tom Rolfe (TR Saddlery)
Phoebe Trigger (Iron Filly Leather)
OPEN SADDLE
Proudly sponsored by Toowoomba Saddlery
Judged by Craig Robinson
Trevor Able (Able Custom Saddles)
Lisa Earley (Earley Rawhide & Leather)
STOCK SADDLE
Sponsored by Saddlers and Harness Makers Association
Judged by Tony Gifford
Ben Morrow (Morrowmade Saddles)
Trevor Scott
CHAPS & CHINKS
A popular category, contestants showcased their custom-made variants of these iconic western garments, each piece was unique, reflecting a high degree of quality craftsmanship and personal flair.
Shotguns – Working
CHAMPION:
Callie Bailey
(of CJB Leather)
Chinks – Working
CHAMPION:
Phoebe Trigger
(Iron Filly Leather)
Roughstock Chaps
Sponsored by Hang ‘N’ Rattle Rodeo Chaps Australia / Get Low Co
CHAMPION:
Anna Keehan
(AMK Silver and Saddlery)
RESERVE CHAMPION:
Eloise Johnson
(Hang ‘N’ Rattle Rodeo Chaps Australia / Get Low Co)
Chinks- Show
Sponsored by East Coast Leather
CHAMPION:
Sarah Harvey
(S Bar H)
RESERVE CHAMPION:
Tania Burbury
Shotgun Chaps – Show
Sponsored by East Coast Leather
CHAMPION:
Sarah Harvey
(S Bar H)
RESERVE CHAMPION:
Anna Keehan
(AMK Silver and Saddlery)
WHIPS
Roo Hide Whip
CHAMPION:
Michael Patch
RESERVE CHAMPION:
Bill Glasgow
Cow Hide Whip
CHAMPION:
Michael Patch
RESERVE CHAMPION:
John Salmond
TACK
Saddlery/Tack
CHAMPION:
Phoebe Trigger Bridle
(Iron Filly Leather)
RESERVE CHAMPION:
Sara Jago for rope reins
Cinch Making️
CHAMPION:
Nicole Coleman
RESERVE CHAMPION:
Anna Keehan
(AMK Silver and Saddlery)
Rawhide
Sponsored by Triple One Performance Industries
Judged by Chris Barr
CHAMPION:
Lisa Earley
(Earley Rawhide & Leather)
RESERVE CHAMPION:
Joseph Petrasovic
(JP’s Leather Forever)
LEATHER ACCESSORIES
Leather Wallet/Bag
Sponsored by Sun Valley Trading
CHAMPION:
Doug Timbs
(Timb’s Knives)
RESERVE CHAMPION:
Nanette Hughes
(Jazz & Pep Boutique)
METAL WORK
Buckle & Concho
CHAMPION:
Ty Granger
Silver Jewellery
CHAMPION:
Anna Keehan
(AMK Silver & Saddlery)
Bit
CHAMPION:
Michael Patch
Knife Making
CHAMPION:
Doug Timbs
(Timb’s Knives)
Spurs
CHAMPION:
Jack Watt
RESERVE CHAMPION:
Michael Patch
