The Journey of Nancy Martiny: A Trailblazing Saddlemaker

The Journey of Nancy Martiny: A Pioneering Saddlemaker

Nancy Martiny embarked on an unexpected journey when she crafted her first saddle. It took nearly a year of dedicated afternoons—snatched between managing a ranch, participating in rodeos, and raising three children in the rugged landscapes of rural Idaho—to complete that initial project. Guided by the expertise of renowned saddlemaker Dale Harwood, her first creation turned out remarkably well. As a genuine cowgirl who not only crafted but also rode in that saddle while producing rodeos and working with cattle, she quickly earned the trust of her customers. Despite being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, her hands-on experience gave her the credibility needed to succeed. “I was out amongst my customers,” Martiny reflected. “And that gives a man the confidence that I know what I’m talking about.” This confidence translated into a steady stream of orders, and for over three decades, they have continued to flow.

Now, at the age of 65, Nancy Martiny resides in the small community of May, Idaho. She embodies the spirit of the West, often donning pearl-snap shirts tucked neatly into her blue jeans, and her speech is marked by deliberate phrases interspersed with her signature dry humor. Living in a cozy log cabin alongside her rancher husband, she is surrounded by an expansive valley embraced by towering green mountains that resemble sleeping giants.

It is within this serene workshop at home that Martiny recently celebrated a significant milestone—she completed her 500th saddle. The demand for her distinctive “Nancy saddle” has reached impressive heights, with current wait times stretching to around six years. This is particularly noteworthy given that she closed her order book in 2022. Last year alone, she crafted a saddle for a customer whose name had been on the list for nearly two decades, highlighting both her dedication and the enduring appeal of her work.