I need to win the lottery...

Wow, those custom Blue Ribbon saddles are going for $18,000 and up!

Blue Ribbon show saddle *sigh* I have been searching for just the right one for almost two years now. They are spendy but what a comfortable fit & ride. Fiding one is on my bucket list

Two words...Phil Harris. (:

I love Dale Chavez, and I have one of his Show Halters. Really, really, nice!

Phil Harris dominates the show ring in the AQHA circuits.
His saddles can start at $10,000+

My friend bought a $20,000 Phil Harris saddle, IDK how she can do that but the saddle is amazing none-the-less!

^ yea, got to love Harris. I woul take a Harris overa Blue Ribbon anyday!

I don't know anyone who would turn down a Blue Ribbon or Phil Harris!

Anything with rhinestones on it I love!

$3,000 for a SHIRT?! That's completely insane. I'd take that $3k and send my horse off to a trainer to increase our odds of winning, not of looking better.

If the saddles get any heavier a strong man will be needed to get it on the horse. Ever notice when watching a video of a western pleasure class how one horse seems to look like the others, all the bays. I guess a distinct saddle helps the rider stand out. Judges being men, I'd think a big set of hooters, real or not, would get you noticed, the silver wouldn't even be noticed. Judges don't look at the silver anyway, the competitors have to have better than anyone else.

You may have a 20,000 show saddle and a 5,000 show jacket, but most people forget its based on the horse, and the rider :)
I have personally heard that Dale Chavez saddles are very uncomfortable.
Right now, people are just wearing buttoned down shirts from places like Express, they are nicely tailored cotton shirts.
As for the saddle, try tack trader

^Dale Chavez went out of favor years ago....they are on the same level at Circle Y....poor quality and overpriced.