Best Circle Y All Around Saddles

If you ride a little bit of everything — trail rides, arena work, weekend roping, or even pleasure drives — an “All Around” saddle can be your one gear investment. Circle Y makes several standout All Around models that try to balance comfort, durability, and versatility. They need to do many tasks reasonably well, not be perfect at just one. This review digs into what makes a great All Around City Y saddle, what users say, and the top models to consider.

What Does “All Around” Really Mean?

An All Around saddle is designed to be a jack-of-all-trades. It isn’t as deep and specialized as a barrel pattern saddle or as heavy duty as a roping rig, but it must still deliver on:

• Balance: The saddle should maintain good balance even over varied terrain or arena work. You don’t want to slide forward on steep climbs or sit too far back downhill.
• Seat security & comfort: Moderate cantle, enough swell/horn to help you brace or set up for stopping/rates, but not so tall it interferes with movement.
• Rigging options & adjustment: Rigging that holds the saddle steady, prevents shifting under load, and allows for a good fit on the horse (forward rigging, in-skirt, 3-way, etc.).
• Durability: Good trees (rigid or flex), quality leather, strong billets/cinch points, hardware that lasts — because you’ll use it in many settings.
• Weight: Heavier builds for roping or large cattle; lighter builds better for lots of trail or when you move a lot. An All Around saddle often strikes a middle ground.
• Versatility in styling / trim: Many riders want something that looks good whether in the arena or on trail — tooling, suede/leather options, colors, etc.

Features & Specs Common in Circle Y All Around Saddles

From Circle Y’s all-around line, these are features you’ll frequently find (and ones to check when comparing models):

• “Reinforced tree” design on some models to handle work stress (roping calves, frequent stops/starts). Example: the 2651 Lolita All Around has a reinforced tree. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
• All roughout or suede/leather mixes for grip and visual appeal (e.g. Odessa All Around uses roughout leather plus hand-tooled border). :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
• Moderate horn size & wrapped horn on some models, to assist in work or anchor the lariat/cinch without being overbuilt. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• Seat shapes that are comfortable for both upright posture (on trails/roping) and more forward seating (when needed in the arena). Cantle heights often around 3-4″, swell widths in mid-range (not super wide unless it’s a wide tree model)..
• Relatively balanced skirt lengths (not too long) so the saddle doesn’t interfere with horse movement on turns, gaits, etc. Examples: Val Verde All Around. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Pros & Cons of Circle Y All Around Saddles

• Pros:
  • One saddle to handle many tasks: good if you ride trails, occasional roping, arena work, pleasure riding etc.
  • Sturdy build from Circle Y — they have reputation for durability. Users often report long life. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
  • Good resale / value, especially on models with good leather and popular styling. Circle Y’s All Around line tends to keep its value if well maintained.
  • The wide variety of options (tree widths, seat sizes, finishes) means you can get closer to a better fit.
• Cons / Watchouts:
  • Not specialized: sacrificing some performance in any one area. A pure barrel saddle or a roping saddle will outperform an all-around in those specific tasks.
  • Weight trade-offs: To be durable, some all arounds are heavier. If you do long trail days or ride for many hours, that extra weight becomes noticeable.
  • Fit is still essential: a good tree width, skirt length, rigging setup. Even a premium all around will chafe, pinch, or slide if poorly matched to the horse.
  • Trim / tooling / decorative features can bump up price significantly without improving core comfort. If you care more about function than looks, watch the extras.

Top Circle Y All Around Models to Consider

Here are some of the best All Around models from Circle Y, what users say, and how they stack up.

• Circle Y 2651 Lolita All Around – A beautifully tooled, decorative option with a reinforced tree. Good for riders who want style + utility. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Odessa All Around 2650 – Roughout leather, hand-tooled border, balanced for both show and work. A nice mid-style option. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• Val Verde All Around – Slightly tougher build, wrapped horn, reinforced tree, good for more frequent work. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
• Cheyenne All Around 2164 – Heavier, cantle about 3.5″, solid build. Good for riders who want more rugged Durability. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Key Differences Between These Models

Model	Tree & Reinforcement	Leather / Finish	Cantle & Swell	Best Use
2651 Lolita	Reinforced tree, solid build for moderate stopping/roping tasks	Sunflower tooling, decorative; show-quality look	Moderate seat with enough swell/horn for security in rate work	Show + light work + trail
Odessa 2650	Standard tree reinforced for durability	Roughout leather, hand tooled border	Swells moderate; seat moderate depth	General work, pleasure, arena + trail mix
Val Verde All Around	Reinforced tree, wrapped horn	Good rugged leather, built for tougher use	Balanced seat; not too deep, enough back support	More work, frequent use, trail/arena mix
Cheyenne 2164	Solid build, heavier components	Leather + suede seat; finish more utilitarian than flashy	3.5" cantle; moderate swell/horn	Heavy use, rugged trails, less concern for decorative trim

Tips to Choose the Right All Around Saddle

• Tree Width & Skirt Fit: Match your horse’s barrel and back shape. Wide trees if needed; ensure the skirt doesn’t interfere with hindquarters or hips.
• Swell / Horn Size: If you occasionally do roping or need horn leverage, a larger swell/horn helps. If mostly pleasure, a smaller horn keeps weight down.
• Seat Size & Cantle Depth: If you ride many hours or climb hills, a slightly deeper cantle helps. If agility or speed matters more, a flatter seat might work better.
• Leather vs Roughout / Grip: Roughout or suede/leather mixes add grip; full leather is easier to clean but may be more slippery or require more maintenance.
• Rigging Style: In-skirt or 3-way riggings offer better stability in many cases. Watch where cinch points pull — avoid ones that pull forward or interfere with shoulder.
• Weight vs Durability Balance: If you ride frequently, the durability will pay off; but if you ride long hours, weight becomes fatigue. Decide your priority.
• Pad Compatibility: Often overlooked. The right pad can fix minor fit issues. Make sure the pad you choose works well with the saddle you pick.
• Test Ride if Possible: Bring your horse, ride similar terrain, check for hotspots, rubs, or shifting. Watch horse movement, soundness, and your own comfort.

FAQ

Do these All Around models work for barrel racing?

They can, especially if you pick a model with good swell/horn and secure seat. But they won’t be as optimized for speed as a barrel‐pattern saddle. If barrel racing is a big part of your riding, you may sacrifice some speed or agility with a generalist model.

How heavy are these All Around saddles?

Expect weights ranging from ~30 to 38 lbs depending on size, leather, tooling, rigging and tree reinforcement. Heavier components or decorative trim add pounds. The Cheyenne, for instance, comes in around 35 lbs. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Will one of these saddles hurt my horse’s back if I ride long hours?

Not if it fits well. Fit is more critical than the name. A properly matched tree width, good pad, correct rigging, and regular checks of cinch adjustment make huge difference. Even a well made All Around saddle can cause soreness if misfitted.

What kind of maintenance do they need?

• Keep leather conditioned to avoid cracking and drying.
• Check hardware (horn, stirrup bars, billets) for wear, especially if you roped or pull loads often.
• Store away from damp or heat to avoid warping the tree or damaging leather.
• Occasionally refit or adjust, especially with changes in your horse (weight gain/loss, muscle changes).

Conclusion & Call-to-Action

If you want a saddle that can serve many roles — weekend trail, arena sessions, occasional roping or cattle work — a Circle Y All Around saddle is one of the best choices. Models like the 2651 Lolita and Odessa 2650 offer excellent balance of durability, style, and versatility. The Val Verde All Around tilts more toward rugged work, while Cheyenne 2164 is for those who want more substance and less frills.

Think about what you do most (trail? arena? rope? speed?), how your horse is built, and where you ride. Prioritize tree fit and rigging before decorative trims. With a good All Around saddle, you’ll get many years of comfortable rides across disciplines.

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