Fred Ball Speaking on Business Each weekday on KSL Radio 1160, Fred Ball of Zions Bank highlights a Utah business -- from small home based businesses to large Utah based corporations. Access the latest "Speaking on Business" report below. More info on Speaking on Business

Dry Fork Saddle Company -- October 16, 2007

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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.

Saddles are like shoes; if they don't fit well, they hurt. An ill-fitting saddle causes discomfort while a well-fitted saddle increases comfort for both the rider and the horse.

I learned this fact during my recent visit with Brad McClellan of the Dry Fork Saddle Company in Vernal. It was a wonderful visit because I learned so much about this great business and had the chance to watch true craftsmen produce beautiful work.

Brad started making saddles in 1973 with a $2,500 loan. Today, the business has grown into a company that produces over 80 custom saddles each month. I watched as skilled workers — including Brad's brother, Gary, and Cal Cook — each crafted part of the saddle. I learned new words such as gullet, swell, horn, tree, cantle and rigging. I was blown away as I watched Patricio Ruiz use intricate and spectacular tooling to make a custom saddle. It was truly a work of art.

I watched workers begin to make a saddle tree. The handmade, rawhide-covered trees are uniquely designed and built. Brad took me into a cutting room where I was fascinated to watch him use various dyes and a powerful hydraulic press to cut the leather into the various components that will be used in the custom saddle.

A typical Dry Fork Saddle user is a working cowboy. That customer needs a saddle tough enough to rope from, comfortable enough to spend the day on, and steady enough for cutting work. The company makes sure the saddle is the right fit for the cowboy, the horse and the job.

But the cowboy is not the only customer. Any horse lover and rider is a prospect for a saddle from Dry Fork.

The famous McCall Saddle is designed and produced by Dry Fork Saddle. The reputation of this Vernal company is known by horse lovers throughout the country.

For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.

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