Show Pen Saddles

A saddle’s weight matters for everyday handling and your horse’s overall tack load, but it should not be the only factor in choosing a show pen saddle. In the arena, a saddle that helps you maintain correct position, clear cues, and a quiet picture can have a bigger impact on your ride than simply selecting the lightest option.

Martin show pen saddles are built with quality materials, including Hermann Oak leather, designed for durability, structure, and long-term use. Depending on the model, tree size, seat size, leather, silver, rigging, and custom options, final weight will vary. If weight is a priority for you or your horse, talk with a Martin dealer while building your saddle so you can select the configuration that best fits your needs.

Choose the saddle around the way you ride and the events you enter.

Martin Reiner
Built for reining riders who want a deep, quiet seat through the rundown and stop, with the freedom to move through spins and lead changes.

Martin Performance
A strong choice for cowhorse, fence work, cutting, ranch versatility, and riders who need to stay centered through quick turns and stops.

Martin Junior Performance
Gives young riders the secure, balanced feel of the Performance in a size designed to fit youth riders.

Martin Cutter
Made for cutting competitors who want to sit deep, stay quiet, and let their horse work freely through hard stops and fast turns.

Martin Ranch Cutter
Built for riders who need one saddle for ranch work, cutting, and roping—combining a true cutting seat with a rope-ready horn.

Martin Show All Around
Designed for all-around exhibitors competing in horsemanship, western riding, trail, pleasure, ranch riding, and rail classes.

If you compete across multiple disciplines, the Martin Performance, Ranch Cutter, and Show All Around offer the most crossover versatility. Your primary event, preferred seat feel, and your horse’s build should guide the final decision.

The Axis tree is Martin’s saddle-tree platform used across these performance and show pen models. It is designed to provide a close, consistent fit so the saddle stays stable on the horse while giving the rider a connected feel.

For the rider, that close fit helps create a more secure, balanced position. For the horse, the goal is to allow freedom of movement through the shoulder, back, and hind end—particularly important in disciplines that demand deep stops, quick turns, spins, lead changes, and fence work.

Because saddle fit is individual to each horse, the best next step is to work with an experienced Martin dealer or saddle fitter on tree, gullet, skirt, rigging, and pad selection.

Yes. Martin show pen saddles are made to order, allowing you to build a saddle around both your performance needs and your personal style.

Customization options can include:

• Hermann Oak leather selection and finish, including natural, two-tone, black leather, or antiqued looks
• Seat style and seat size
• Tooling, including floral and geometric patterns
• Conchos and sterling overlay silver
• Rigging selection on eligible models
• Tree, gullet, and skirt options based on the model and your horse’s fit needs

For the cleanest show pen look, start with the function—seat, tree, fit, and rigging—then choose cosmetic details that coordinate with your show wardrobe and tack set.

Each model is shaped around the position its discipline requires. The Reiner supports a deep, quiet seat through the rundown and stop while allowing movement in spins and lead changes. The Performance helps keep the rider centered through fence turns, cutting, and stops. The Cutter’s defined pocket helps a rider stay deep and quiet while allowing the horse to work. The Show All Around uses the seat pocket, rise to the swells, and fender hang to help the rider keep their leg under their hip for a correct position.

The common goal is simple: help you stay balanced, ride quietly, and give your horse clear cues—whether you are circling a cow, running a reining pattern, working a trail course, or running down the fence.