Stolen Saddles

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Five-time Canadian Barrel Racing Champion Deb Guelly has (so far) qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) a record 21 times and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) five times. Photo by Mike Copeman.

On May 12, 2015, five saddles were stolen from one of Canada’s top barrel racers, Debbie Guelly.

Each saddle marked a competition milestone and reports say that the thieves seemed oddly fixated on the saddles inscribed with the barrel racing achievements for which they were awarded.

The saddles include her 1995 NFR Qualifier saddle, (Martha Josey make); her 2007 NFR Qualifier saddle, (Cactus make); her 1995 Frontier saddle, (used); her Canadian Champion saddle (engraved Deb Guelly) her 1997 CPRA Season Leader saddle, (Frontier make; has a bright blue seat) and her 2008 CPRA Season Leader saddle.

“It’s really sad — they’re just saddles but they’re special saddles you’d never want to part with,” says Deb. And because they’re conspicuously marked trophy saddles, they’d be difficult to sell, she added.

If you have seen any of these saddles please contact the RCMP immediately, and if you have inadvertently purchased any or all of these saddles then please do the right thing and return them to Deb.