OklahomaHorses Magazine September 2020

28 OklahomaHorses • September/October 2020 McAlester Prison Saddle: This saddle was made by inmates in the Oklahoma State Penitentiary’s leather shop in McAlester. It was won in a drawing by the mother-in-law of the donor during one of the world- famous McAlester Prison Rodeo events in the 1970s. Starting in 1940, and occurring most every year until the late 2000s, the McAlester Prison Rodeo boasted being the world’s only rodeo held completely behind prison walls. Prison inmates from “Big Mac” and other detention facilities throughout Oklahoma would compete for prizes and the cheers of outside visitors who would flock to this event by the thousands. This Western champion double rig saddle features a hand-stamped basket weave pattern with ornate diamond-shaped spots. It also features large tapaderos of an earlier period; tapaderos were used to protect the feet. The saddle pockets were added at a later date. Circus monkey trick saddle