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Episode 177 Lee Patterson / Western Industry Leader / Saddle Maker / Montana Rancher / Montana Pro Rodeo Hall Of Fame Inductee…
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It was so great having Lee Patterson on the Podcast. Lee truly epitomizes the Cowboy in so many ways. I know you will enjoy our conversation...
Lee Patterson was born and raised on a small ranch outside of Whitefish Mt. His father Bob Patterson was rodeo Calf roper ,and his grandfather ,Fred was was a cowboy who worked on many of the old Montana ranches. Patterson’s son RJ is a cowboy and Patterson takes pride in watching his grandsons Colt and Jett continue the family tradition for the fifth generation. “ That’s the thing that holds the network of family together is riding and horses ,” Patterson said. Our deal is cows and horses and rodeo.
Patterson was recently inducted into the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall of Frame. He was one of the several individuals who where awarded for their contributions to Rodeo and the western way of life in Montana. “ It has been really rewarding to me to be a cowboy .” He said. Patterson still lives on his family ranch in Whitefish Mt. He recalls as a child driving all night with the family so his father could get to a rodeo, and the young age at which he and his siblings began to ride and help on the ranch. My Grandfather was a famous cowboy following World War I , “ Patterson said. He would give railroad workers rides to town on his horses. He raised and sold horses to the Army. Patterson himself has spent years competing in rodeos in the northwest where he roped calves and team roped. Patterson has a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Gold Card, a lifetime membership in the PRCA. After high school Patterson worked on a ranch in Arizona, while attending the University of Arizona part-time. When working on the ranch we had 125 head of horses something was always breaking ,Patterson said. The head Wrangler taught me how to repair and maintain the saddles. That is where I got my start on building saddles, then later went back to Montana and opened a Western store with a saddle shop in back. After selling the store I spent full time building saddles, for many years I built 50 t 52 saddles each year. Now it is a much slower pace my designs are more refined and I enjoy working on new tooling patterns and trying new ideas. In 2019 I won first place in saddles carved division
At the World Leather Debut. This is a contest that has been taking place for 20 years in Sheridan WY. It is the largest contest for saddle makers that I know of, and it was a true honor to win . Many of the great past and current saddle makers have won this contest like Don King, Don Butler and Keith Seidel and for me it is a highlight of more than 40 years of building saddles. Now I build saddles for ranchers and , team ropers most of my saddles get used hard but some just go into the living room to look at. I am so blessed to have the family and friends I do and get to get up each day knowing that I get to do something I love to do.
Resources:
@leepattersonmt
Show Sponsors:
LINK IN BIO USE CODE: “MODERNCOWBOY”
@moderncowboyperformance
www.moderncowboy.global
@nrsworld
Show Music:
“The Ropin Pen” By: Trent Willmon
MC Podcast Production & Editing: Tyler Hillenbrand
@tyhbrand
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