Popper's Modified 3B

I wanted an old-timey vaquero-style saddle that would fit me snugly and make it easy to sit straight up and balanced right over my stirrups and right over the balance point on my horse's back. It worked out perfectly - very comfortable, secure, and a smaller seat than I ever used to think I needed. It's the Nikkel's thigh length measurement in the tree that really gives a rider the correct seat length. Turns out I'm a better rider than I thought I was!

I started with the idea of the 3B, but had to modify it a little to make room for the very special horn. A classical 3B has a fork thickness of 3-1/2" and a narrow horn; this fork is 4-1/2" thick to integrate the horn.

	Custom, handmade wood/rawhide tree from Rod Nikkel Seat length 14-1/4" 4-1/2" stock 3" fully exposed Jarrah wood post horn with 4" cap 4-1/2" Taylor cantle, 40 degrees and 1" dish 95 degree bar angle to fit a low-withered horse 5/8 single ring "spider" rigging All-leather ground seat Bronze hardware from Herb Bork Hermann Oak skirting, Big Horn latigo Solid brass conchos from Tandy, scuffed with emery cloth Cantle binding stitched with coad-waxed Irish linen Stirrups to be replaced with 3" Walnut flatbottoms from Nettles (when they arrive) Weight fully loaded 30 lbs
	The cantle back has an inlaid Mexican Lace Agate.
	The Rod Nikkel tree in this saddle