Magnificent Cowboy Collectible Supports a Worthy Cause
by Article Courtesy of Happy Trails Children’s Foundation
Legendary comic book cowboy Red Ryder was a fictional American hero to millions of boys and girls for almost three decades. He was created by noted cowboy artist Fred Harman and his marketing partner, Stephen Slesinger. Red Ryder first appeared in print on Sunday, November 6, 1938, eventually appearing in more than 750 newspapers with more than 14 million readers, in 10 languages.
Slesinger soon embarked on an aggressive marketing campaign of merchandising and licensing with an endless array of comic books, Big Little Books, novels, radio programs, rodeos, pow-wows and numerous licensed products including the legendary Daisy Red Ryder BB gun, the longest continuous license agreement in history.
It was inevitable that Red Ryder would make it to Hollywood, first appearing in 1940 in the classic 12 chapter serial The Adventures of Red Ryder, starring Don “Red” Barry in the title role with Tommy Cook as his juvenile Indian sidekick, Little Beaver. This was followed by 23 Red Ryder feature films from Republic Pictures beginning in 1944 through 1947. Cowboy actor Wild Bill Elliott starred in the first 16 films followed by Allan “Rocky” Lane. Child actor Bobby Blake appeared in all 23 films as Little Beaver.
Wild Bill Elliott as Red Ryder rode a magnificent black stallion named Thunder. Elliott used a very unique saddle in these exciting productions. When Allan “Rocky” Lane took over the role of Ryder, he used the same horse and a similar saddle. After the Red Ryder series ended, Lane kept the black horse and changed his name to Black Jack and continued to use the same horse and saddle in his long-running series of B-westerns at Republic. Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright on Bonanza used a similar saddle on his big buckskin gelding.
Ronnie Aycoth of North Carolina is a good friend of the Happy Trails Children’s Foundation. He is an almost exact double for Wild Bill Elliott and has appeared at various film festivals and other events across the country for many years honoring the memory of “Wild Bill.” A few years ago Ronnie had an exact replica of the Red Ryder saddle made for his good paint horse Sonny. Ronnie is no longer riding as much as he once did and he had his heart set on acquiring a different ride – a Ford Mustang! Ronnie called the foundation and offered his saddle for our next saddle opportunity drawing.
This magnificent saddle was made by master saddle maker Ed Mathieus of Oak Brand Leather in Las Vegas, NV. Years ago, the Elliott estate brought two of Elliott’s Red Ryder saddles to Ed for restoration so he had first-hand knowledge of the original saddles and was able to closely replicate the Red Ryder saddle for Aycoth.
The saddle is beautifully hand-carved and two-toned with a 16” seat, double rigging, and leather covered stirrups. It has eight unique sterling silver flowers on the corners just like the original saddles and it comes complete with a bridle, bit, reins, breast collar and saddle blanket. You don’t need to own a horse to enjoy this fantastic saddle because it comes with its own horse, a custom deluxe saddle stand made by master wood worker Terry Kirk, just for this saddle.
This is an eye-catching outfit that anyone would be proud to own. It is a museum quality cowboy collectible and one of the greatest conversation pieces you could display in your home. Tickets are only $10 each or 11 tickets for $100. The drawing will be held on Saturday night, May 16, 2015. You need not be present to win. Order your tickets today! Discover, MasterCard, and VISA accepted. Phone toll free (855) 788-4440. To learn more about the children’s foundation visit happytrails.org.
The Northwest Horse Source is an independently owned and operated print and online magazine for horse owners and enthusiasts of all breeds and disciplines in the Pacific Northwest. Our contemporary editorial columns are predominantly written by experts in the region, covering the care, training, keeping and enjoyment of horses, with an eye to the specific concerns in our region.
