A custom saddle fit for royalty has been presented to Lions Rodeo Queen, Lacey Blouin.
Designed to her specifications and tailored to fit the horses she rides, the beautifully crafted saddle was gifted to Lacey at the Lions Club's annual Spring Barn Dance.
Lacey is thrilled to receive the saddle as a thank you for the hundreds of hours of volunteering as an official ambassador of the Cochrane Lions Club and for the community.
"This saddle is going come with me through the years, and I will always have this reminder of the year I spent representing the Lions and the rodeo. When I found out that I was going to be given a saddle, I was blown away because I'm a girl who rides my horses all the time."
Crafted by K & K Saddlery, Lacey, who's a long-time roper, was able to provide input on its design. She selected a ranch cutter style. The saddles were fitted for the two horses she rides to ensure a comfortable ride for everyone.
"That way, I can do ranch work in a really classy looking and well-made saddle. It's a nice dark color which I especially love when you're in parades, and when you're in the arena, it's going to catch your eye."
"I am a girl that loves a good rough out saddle. I've always rode in a rough out saddle when I've had a choice. It's got a rough-out seat, fenders, everything on it is all rough-out except for some little leather work details, which I love, and then florals. It's amazing. I couldn't ask for a more gorgeous saddle."
Horses are a huge part of Lacey's family life. Her father is a farrier, and she was first put in a saddle at two weeks old. She's been a roper since she was nine, and in the summer, you'll find her at the Cochrane Ag Society roping two or three times a week.
"One of my biggest horse passions is team roping," she says. "And then I've dipped my toes into breakaway roping, which I love."
With the rodeo season creeping up, it won't be long before the new saddle is seen publicly.
