Florida Saddle Maker Sets Up Shop In Tulsa For The Summer

Rick Wells, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The Tulsa Holiday Summer Circuit horse show is on out at Expo Square this week.

Representatives from a Florida saddlery are there too. They've been coming to Tulsa for more than 40 summers and know our city as well as many of us.

Ted McLelland is the front man for a family saddle making business that was started by his great grandfather.

"I'm a saddle maker's son but in order to keep goin' down the road and keep coming to Tulsa, you've gotta be able to do a lot of different things," McLelland said. "You have to be able to accommodate the customer."

He's been accommodating customers in Tulsa since 1969 and he's watched Expo Square develop into something really special.

"You've got a great facility here in this town, one of the finest facilities in all the world," he said.

He drives this semi loaded with gear from his home in Florida to Tulsa every year in early June and he stays, servicing a string of horse shows through early August.

"I know the guys on a first name basis at Zio's out off Memorial, I eat, and Brownie's hamburger place and Rib Crib," he said.

He probably knows Tulsa better than many Tulsans. He thought about moving here; then he came once in the winter. He brings with him a little of just about everything you could need.

He showed News On 6 reporter a one-of-a-kind saddle with sterling silver trim.  McLelland said he used 26 tools to do the design.  The saddle costs nearly $15,000.

You can check out McLelland's work online.