If you’ve visited the Meeker Classic in the last 15 years,

you’ve likely come across a fine gentleman and a cowboy demonstrating his leather work in the vending tent. Bob Klenda’s work and teaching is legendary in the saddle making world and we are proud to claim him as part of the Meeker Classic family.  A true cowboy, you couldn’t meet a nicer, kinder man that knows the art of saddle making.

Bob Klenda (r) and his good friend Mike Brennan (l) demonstrating at the Meeker Classic

Bob Klenda  moved from Meeker to Nebraska a few years ago,

but we still call him a Meekerite! His association with Meeker goes back to 1961, the year Bob began to make saddles, and the year he entered the calf roping in the 4th of July rodeo in Meeker. That fall he met and worked for Duane Soderquist of Newton Brothers Saddlery in Vernal, Utah where he began polishing his skill as a saddle maker.  Bob began working with leather in 1959, completing his first saddle in 1961. Kermit Lyons, Duane Soderquist, and Bud Grant, all accomplished saddle makers, commanding only the highest quality of work, tutored Bob.

Bob opened his own saddle shop at Fruita, Colorado in 1962.

Now, some 520+ saddles and 63 years later Bob continues to hone his saddle making skills. On any given day, you can find Bob busily at work in his saddle shop, in Kimball, Nebraska, as he creates award winning saddles and tack that are cherished around the world. Bob has shown his work at major saddle and gear shows, including The World Leather Debut, Colorado State Fair, the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, Elko Poetry Gathering, Art of the Cowboy Makers and numerous art galleries.

High points in Bob’s saddle making career are:

2005 when Bob was selected to make a saddle commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Denver’s National Western Stock Show, 2007, recognized as 4-H Leathercraft Leader of the year for Rio Blanco County, International awards: 2010 as recipient of the Al Stohlman award for excellence in leather work, and, 2017 the Academy of Western Artists recognized Bob as 2016 Saddle Maker of the Year.  To be chosen to exhibit at the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art 2025 – 2026.

Saddle made for the National Western Stockshow – photo credit Bob Klenda Saddles

Bob’s work is primarily custom ordered;

in addition, occasionally he makes a piece for a show or an extra when doing a custom order, which he offers for sale. He enjoys showing his work as well as helping people design gear that suits their needs.

<br />Bob teaches the art of leatherwork and saddle making at his shop,

trade shows and seminars and was leader for the Meeker Mallets 4-H leathercraft club. Through local classes in Meeker, Bob has helped several local people make their first saddle. Saddle making has changed considerably in the last 63 years. In the sixties it was difficult to find a saddle maker that was willing to help another learn the trade. Today saddle making is an open art form with many fine artisans willing to share their knowledge.</p>

<h3>Renwick Gallery<br />Smithsonian American Art

This year, we are thrilled to share the news that Bob’s work will be on display at the <a>ef=”https://americanart.si.edu/visit/renwick”>et=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>rel=”</yoastmark noopener”>”noopener noopener”>Smithsonian American Art’s Renwick Gallery in Washington DC.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is planning an exhibition titled The State Fair in the United States.  To celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery is planning a  major exhibition, titled The State Fair. The exhibition will be on view at SAAM’s Renwick Gallery, Washington DC from August 22, 2025, through September 7, 2026. A part of the exhibition is recognizing the part that saddles have played in Americas past state fairs. Bob Klenda has contracted with the planners of the exhibition to make a custom made saddle which will be on display throughout the duration of the show.

/>=”https://meekersheepdog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20250309_144842-1-600×800.jpg” alt=”” />=”” width=”600″ height=”800″ /></a></p>

Upon speaking with Bob, he said, that at present the saddle is in the planning stages, but that he‘ll soon shift to the construction part by choosing three especially nice sides of leather and cutting out the necessary parts. From that beginning he will form the leather to the shapes necessary to fit over the saddle tree, the foundation of the saddle. Bob’s plans are to add what is generally referred to as flower carving so as to give the saddle an especially artistic appearance. When completed the saddle will be shipped to DC where it will be placed on a stand that the gallery is designing especially for the show.

<p>We congratulate Bob on his achievements and feel honored to call him a friend.  He, his wi

fe Ann and his daughter Leslie will be in Meeker this September 2025 in the vending tent. You’ll find him there working on saddles and sharing his knowledge and love of the craft.  You can learn more about Bob by visiting his website.

Klenda’s Custom Saddles
Bob Klenda – Saddle Maker, Designer, Instructor
5448 North Hwy 71
Kimball, NE 69145
bob@klendasaddlery.com        www.klendasaddlery.com