About Us
The Beginning
As a small boy I discovered the joy in making things by hand and a keen interest in the outdoor life. While growing up under big skies in rural Australia with Mum, Dad and my brother, I gravitated toward horsemanship, stock work and, in particular, fashioning things from scrap materials I found lying around old sheds, or out in the paddock.
I discovered that old bits of steel, wood and leather could be used to fashion all sorts of things, especially simple knives and pouches. As my interest grew, I found that leather and leather work was what I enjoyed most, although, finding big enough pieces of decent leather became trickier as the size of my ideas and projects grew.
Honing My Skills
After talking to an 'old timer', a neighbour of ours, I discovering that he used to tan animal skins himself. So, at the age of twelve I learnt to tan skins using a couple of his simple tanning methods like boiling wattle bark in an old copper. We'd filter the bark pulp out and soak the hides in the tannin water. Any skin that became available got tanned - there was no stopping me! I couldn't believe that I could now produce my own supply of leather and this enabled me to attempt more advanced items, such as plaited belts, bridles and stock whips.
By the age of fifteen I had begun working weekends and school holidays doing stock work and breaking in and schooling horses at a local stockhorse stud. This is where I first realised the true role of a good saddle, especially when it is relied upon for everyday work.
From this I earned just enough to buy leather of a high enough quality to ensure my goods would be saleable.
With a few basic tools, common sense, basic horsemanship, the aid of books and help from a couple of the older members of the community, I began producing items that proved to be functional and tough. They looked considerably better (to say the least) than those previously produced using my home-tanned leather.
As my skills improved I became known in the local area for my leatherwork and began taking on saddle repairs along with the usual custom tack. In a short time I was earning enough money from this to be able to stop working my other jobs and concentrate solely on leatherwork.
So, after successfully completing major repair work on saddles, my next goal was to make a saddle.
Cooper's Custom Saddles is born!
For awhile I worked with another more experienced saddler and soon after began promoting my own custom made saddles in my local area. Around this time, my younger brother started his first job as an apprentice panel beater and only had his learner driver's permit. Due to living well out of town, we agreed that I would accompany him to the panel shop each day. This worked in both our favours – he got the driving experience he needed and I got to meet a lot of people as I worked out of the back of my old land rover on the vacant land owned by the panel shop proprietor. Curious passers-by would stop and ask me about what I was doing.
Soon enough, with my brother a licensed driver, and myself a reputable saddle maker, I continued work from home at my parents' property and for the eight years to follow.
In 1995 I began competing in the rough stock events at rodeos around New South Wales and quickly developed a passion for riding saddle bronc and bareback horses. I broke into the open ranks at the end of my first season.
The rewards I gained from this sport were not only a great sense of fulfillment and personal achievement. I also experienced, first hand, the importance of having A class gear for regular use in such rigorous events. As you know, functionality and appearance are a must!
Through this experience, I gained valuable knowledge from competitors in the other events and from being familiar with the way their events worked and what is required of their equipment. I found myself thinking 'outside the square' to develop new ways and new designs that would be advantageous, giving the rider every chance to remain at the leading edge of the competition.
As anyone in competition knows, every little bit helps and a seemingly small change can create a huge advantage. This way of thinking plays a major role in the running of my business to this day as I look to further improve my saddles and equipment.
A Life-long Passion
Today, I continue to live in the same district, now with my wife Emmy, and Cooper's Custom Saddles has grown from boyhood enthusiasm into a solid business: the passion I had, as a small boy, for my work has never left me and I look forward to building custom saddles - as I have done since 1993 - for horsemen and women all over Australia and New Zealand for years to come.
I am proud to offer you the best personal service and finest quality saddles and tack available and I look forward to hearing from you!
Contact us today to discuss your requirements or for any further information.
