Those impressive designs come from the creative mind of Professional Horsewoman and AQHA Judge, Betsy Tuckey. Tuckey has been designing and creating custom chaps for some of the country’s top pleasure competitors since 1985. Her first sewing machine, a 1950’s Singer model purchased “very used” from a jacket company in Pennsylvania, is still in service today.

“I got started making chaps in 1980 because I needed some for myself, and I couldn’t afford them! I already knew how to sew, and made a lot of my own clothes, but hadn’t attempted any type of leather craft,” Tuckey said. “I started looking for an affordable heavy-duty sewing machine, and found one in Pennsylvania at a company that made leather jackets. When their machines reached a certain age, they replaced them with newer models, so I bought one of their ‘oldies’.”

Tuckey also got some help from Mark and Greg Reeves who also made chaps, but didn’t really enjoy it. They gave Tuckey one of their basic patterns and a lot of great advice. Once she completed a pair for herself, several of her friends began asking her to make a pair for them. Her first sale was to Donnie Gill of Richmond, Virginia and it has snowballed from there.

Tuckey has since graduated from a small corner of her home’s living room to a large, fully stocked shop built in the second story of the show barn on the Tuckey farm in Liberty, Kentucky.

Each high quality pair is created individually for every customer with the best available silver conchos and buckle sets. Betsy, her husband John and their son, Trevor, take great pride in crafting these hand-made one-of-a-kind creations.

“I’m not sure where my inspiration comes from, I really like my chaps to stay in the western theme and have classic lines, but I also love to think of cool designs and ways to make each pair different,” Tuckey explained. “Obviously, the fit is the most important thing, but the details and decorations really make the chaps stand out in the arena. For the riders who show in the Horsemanship, I usually keep it simple. I think the ‘bling’ is not a good thing for a rider who needs to demonstrate perfect vertical lines in their body position. But the rest of the riders in western classes have the option of wearing chaps with a little more flash.”

Whether you want custom studded tops or embossed Italian leather crocodile Tuckey will be sure to build you the perfect pair. Some of the new trends we are seeing for this year are small chrome dots on the yokes and leather rosettes under the conchos, both round and square. Likewise, the big buckles in the back and smooth chaps are not as popular as they used to be.

“I like to go over to the Harris Saddlery booth at the Congress, and see what kind of trim they are using on the new saddles. I have definitely gotten great ideas for my chaps from what they are doing on the saddles,” Tuckey said. Lately I have been getting a lot of calls for chaps that will match the rider’s hat so I keep a set of hat color samples at all times, and recently there have been a lot of new colors added.”

For Tuckey it’s extremely rewarding to create a beautiful pair of chaps out of a big piece of cowhide. Though stressful at times, this business has grown in ways she never imagined. Tuckey would like to thank all of her long-time customers and the new people who have just found her.

To get started on your own pair of custom chaps you can contact Betsy Tuckey at (804) 647-9358 or visit Horsewares Custom Chaps online at www.horsewarescustomchaps.com. You can also “like” Horsewares Custom Chaps on Facebook.