About Ben (and daughter Barbara, too)

Ben Perry, Master Saddler of over 50 years, has crafted a life of quiet accomplishment. He has most recently, lovingly created a selection of authentic-looking model horse saddles and equipment for model horse collectors of any age. All of his creations are individually handcrafted from 100% genuine cowhide leather and kangaroo lacing. Some are created simply from a well-detailed photograph. Each is a time intensive labor of love. When people see his model horse tack they are truly taken back by the quality of the craftsmanship that they hold in their hands. Many instantly go back to their childhood when they collected model horses. He recently (Summer of 2003) entered a highly detailed basket-weaved-stamped Western Roper Saddle (Roper Deluxe) in a local fair on Cape Cod and won "Best of Show" out of 51 categories!

With a gentle passion, Ben has made custom full-size horse equipment for people in all walks of life... from the US Equestrian Team, to local backyard riders, to riders with individual challenges in therapeutic riding programs. He has worked with therapeutic riding instructors to create specialized, individualized equipment to meet the needs of some very special riders, saying "You want everything to fit just right - on the horse and in the child's hands."

Ben has one theory in life... keep making it until it gets better. And each creation that Ben makes is one level better than the last. His trade is one that has virtually been untouched by technology over the past century, one that is a dying trade because few people are willing to dedicate themselves to the long apprenticeship it takes.

Over the past 50 years Ben has lived on the East Coast from Massachusetts to Florida, practicing his trade and meeting people from all walks of life. He takes pride in knowing that, with good care, his leatherwork will last a lifetime. "They may not remember me, but my work will stand."

About Barbara:
Daughter Barbara has been watching her Dad work on leather all of her life (when she wasn't riding or caring for her horses). As a young girl she often came into Dad's shop just to smell the leather and to see if Dad would allow her to use his precious tools to make something. Over the years he has gradually taught her the basics of his trade. As a teenager, to make extra money (to feed the horse in the barn), she learned to do repair work on halters, leads, and complete simple saddle repairs. During the past two years Barbara has ernestly apprenticed with her Dad to learn his vanishing leather craft in making model horse tack.

"It amazes me to watch Dad work! The love and patience he puts into the details of each new saddle is inspiring. I only hope that one day my skill will match his. I know that my love of creating these beautiful miniature saddles matches that of his already. Every day that I spend working side-by-side with Dad I learn a few more 'tricks of the trade' from him. "

Barbara has been riding horses nearly all of her life, from Massachusetts to New Jersey and Maryland. She worked on racing horse farms in Florida and for seven years directed a therapeutic riding program in Massachusetts for disabled children. "Dad created lots of specialized equipment for the children that I taught." Today she works in a school system with children with disabilities and spends all her spare time working with her Dad to learn everything she can about his lifelong passion (which is quickly becoming hers too).