Thanks for all the input, in response:
No I am not going to be roping with this saddle, ever. I have a wonderful Billy Cook roping saddle for just that. The fact that they list it as a roping saddle is totally irrelevant to my needs, and I have ordered it with that in mind.
The tree is listed as a wood tree double reinforced with fiberglass.
I've worked with fiberglass myself in my work and I know the material well.
Even if by happen-chance the fiberglass did fail, which being used as a coating instead of solid structure, isn't likely to happen, the wood would be an entirely different discussion.
Can I say the quality of the wood used? absolutely not. With all that being said, I have to put some faith into what I'm buying into.
The location of the actual maker is likely overseas, but I am buying from an American dealer which is based out of Illinois, just as a footnote. Prior to making this order I called and spoke to the company directly and discussed this in great detail.
The fact that the strap serves potentially no service doesn't deeply concern me because why should it? Sure it's stupid, and sure this is probably a conveyor belt line saddle, I don't expect anything more from a bottom of the line saddle.
I wasn't interested in getting into all this detail but, and I do appreciate the concern greatly and I would respond in the same way if I felt there was concern to be had, my intentions for this saddle is just light schooling in a ring, with my 140 pound self riding an hour at a time in it. I have close to ten saddles I use in rotation because my horse is a constantly changing figure and needs a different tree on a regular basis, each one fits a little different, and as I participate in many disciplines with him, they reflect upon each type of riding we do.
I'll be the first one to admit aloud that I've walked into duds before, some I can evade like a potential problem this could be with a return period, some like a few I have now, are sitting as I'm trying to process selling them.
With saying that I know thoughts are going to, well why if you have such a hard to fit horse are you buying cheap products like this? and my response to that would be because I know my horse extremely well and I do my research, I would never put something on his back or to any part of him that would potentially cause problems.
I can assure you that upon arrival I will have gone over every concerning aspect of this saddle with everything short of a microscope, as I do with everything that concerns this guy.
I once again want to mention that I appreciate all the thought and input I receive, because I know long posts such as this one can be perceived in the wrong way, and that I don't want to come off in the wrong light.
When it arrives (due middle of next week) I'll make an update for any curious parties, and will let you know the decision I'll be making. I also work closely with two saddle fitters, one for my English gear, and one for my Western, and if need be can easily have them out.
Thanks again