This week Athens, TX saddle maker and PRCA steer wrestler Pat Hooper was on site at the State Fair of Texas delivering 14 beautiful trophy saddles for the event champions to be awarded during the upcoming United Pro Rodeo Association (UPRA) finals.
Pat is no stranger to the UPRA. With current membership in the thousands, he holds card number 265, having joined in the early 90s when the organization was still in its infancy. Pat is still an active competitor today, and has been able to give back to the community he loves in a special way through being chosen as the saddle maker to create this year’s finals rodeo trophy saddles.
Pat’s out of the box thinking shines through with the design of these trophy saddles. The stirrups sport a unique apron style, using two different tone pieces of leather for contrast and containing a subtly stamped UFR on the top half to help hold the memories of the special event for years to come.
This event callout and attention to detail matches the rest of the saddle, with a UPRA logo brightly shining on the sides.These logos were hand painted in a multi-hour process and are a testament to the pride Pat takes in his work. The edges are cleaned and the saddles are dressed before they ever leave his shop so that whoever takes them home is gaining a saddle that will be a joy to ride in and a joy to show off.
When Pat talks about how special this opportunity was to him, he expresses how it validates his craft and the journey he has been on pursuing his creative vision and dreams. His gratitude towards the UPRA is apparent and he doesn’t take their belief in him lightly.
As a steer wrestler, when he began talking about running his own leatherworks business, people told him he was crazy and that there was no place for him in the industry. Thankfully, he didn’t listen, but instead found the strength to believe in himself and his abilities. Through his perseverance he has discovered that when he lets his creative muse work and brings his visions to life, people love the outcome. There are sure to be some smiling champions holding onto his saddles in the weeks to come.
With the saddles hung on a railing up in the ceiling of the fair facilities, Pat’s dreams are reaching the stars–and he will only continue to climb higher.
