James Colton \u201cJ. C.\u201d Martin came from a family of European leatherworkers. His father\u2019s family came from England, bringing a tradition of harness making, while his mother\u2019s family came from Germany, where they practiced bootmaking and leatherwork.<\/p>\n
Raised around his father\u2019s workbench, James learned to stitch leather and repair bridles before earning his first wages as a ranch hand. Years spent riding in Texas shaped his approach to saddlemaking. He paid attention to where leather rubbed, which seams failed, and what made a saddle comfortable through a long working day.<\/p>\n
He founded JC Martin Saddles with a simple belief: working riders deserved dependable equipment at a fair price. Quiet and particular about his craft, Martin often examined a customer\u2019s worn saddle before asking what they wanted in a new one.<\/p>\n
\u201cA saddle earns its name after it leaves the shop,\u201d he liked to say.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
As the business grew, Martin hired Rick Shawn as his accountant. Rick\u2019s interest soon extended beyond the books, and he became Martin\u2019s saddlemaking apprentice. He spent years at the workbench learning to select leather, stitch by hand, and build saddles under the founder\u2019s guidance.<\/p>\n
The company has since changed hands and is now run by Rick. With experience in both the business and the craft, he carries forward Martin\u2019s commitment to practical choices, dependable workmanship, and fair value for riders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
James Colton \u201cJ. C.\u201d Martin came from a family of European leatherworkers. His father\u2019s family came from England, bringing a tradition of harness making, while his mother\u2019s family came from Germany, where they practiced bootmaking and leatherwork. Raised around his father\u2019s workbench, James learned to stitch leather and repair bridles before earning his first wages 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