GO TO THE FOLLOWING

SHELLY LIGGETT

Shelly started braiding her own gear to use on her horses in 1976. She progressed into custom rawhide and leather braided gear shortly thereafter, and started making her own gear to show in, which led to a few custom orders. It wasn't long before word got out, and slowly a business developed.

In 1987, she purchased all of the chap patterns and dies from Bob Haley of Bobs Custom Saddles, when he reorganized his business. For 20 years, until 1996, braiding and building chaps was a side business to the horse training business, in which she helped Bruce.
Shelly started to devote more time to the braided gear, chaps, etc, until, in 1998, the family moved to their current location, an 80 acre horse facility in Mineral Wells, TX. At that time, she went to work for Calvin Allen Saddlery in Weatherford, where she learned to build saddles, and continued to braid.

In the fall of 2000, Joey Jemison, a well known and respected saddlemaker, also in Weatherford, approached her about coming to work for him in his shop. She was flattered that he liked the work he'd seen her do, and was eager to expand her knowledge and abilities in floral carving, which Joey allowed her to do.

Since coming to Jemisons shop, with his encouragement, and her background in the horse industry, she has had many acknowledgements of her success to date. She has been juried into the Working Cowboy Arts by Women Assoc., has been invited to exhibit her gear at the Cowboy Trappings Show in Alpine, TX, won a scholarship from the TCA, and, most recently, was selected by her peers as Reserve Champion in the Saddle Contest in Wichita Falls in October, 2003 (Novice). The coordinator commented that many people felt the saddle should have been in the journeymans division! This was her last year in the Novice division, and next year will see her competing again! She has been invited to display and sell her braided gear at Alpine again in 2004.

In April of 2005, Shelly officially opened the doors of her own shop, MJ Liggett Saddlery & Braiding, LLC, at the ranch. With the easy access and high visibility of Hwy 281 at her doorstep, business has been good from the first day! The shop takes in repairs, which are usually done within a week, depending on what is needed. Pick up and delivery can be arranged as well, if within a 30 mile radius of the shop.

Now, when a client comes to Liggett Enterprises, the horse they show can be trained by Bruce, and the gear they show in can be custom made to their taste by Shelly!


Copyright 2007 American Saddle Makers Association, Inc.