December 2025 - Note from the Saddle Bench

Photo Courtesy of Mattie Sargent

Hi folks, 

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. The weather here has been fair to partly beautiful. We've had some crisp mornings and two days ago I had a pretty good frost on my windshield. It has been warming up into the 70s almost every day.

Saw my first black bear here about 2 miles from the house. I had never seen one out here before. I think almost everyone else that lives here has. It seems like they are getting to be pretty plentiful in the area. I saw a picture this week taken in Big Bend National Park and there were six black bear under one tree eating the acorns. 

The WRCA World Championships in Amarillo were really good as usual. The tradeshow was a big success for everyone I talked to. Although I didn't get to talk to a lot of of the other merchants there because we were so busy all day every day of the show. Congratulations to the Barron-Highsmith Cattle Co. / Short Ranches that won the Championships this year. The Youth Championships continue to grow each year and are really good watching. I couldn't believe the weather there. It was 85 one day but returned to normal Monday morning as we left. It was chilly and the wind blowing. Gary Morton wasn't able to be there this year because of some medical problems. Please keep him in your prayers for a quick recovery.

Speaking of World Championships we have a couple of former Sul Ross boys entered up in the bull riding at the NFR again this year. Ky Hamilton and Tristan Hutchings will be giving the rest of them a run for their money.  

If you need anything done in the way of Christmas gifts, we are in good shape to do that for you. We work all year long to make up plenty of product to have enough for the Christmas season. The Leather items are un-oiled and can have names, initials or brands added to them as well as corporate logos. On orders of 20 or more of one custom product we offer a 25% discount or a free laser logo. We should be able to personalize many items right up until Christmas.

Blessed Nativity, Merry Christmas, and Feliz Navidad!

We hope you and yours have a happy Holy Day Season!

Adios for now,

Gary Dunshee