Saddlers Rest Wondai

Saddlers Rest Wondai Welcome to Saddlers Rest Wondai. Home of the high-performance DEX Range of Western stock saddles and the David Earle Saddle Making School. Precision fit.
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Heritage craftsmanship. Built for the working horse. You are a one of a kind, there is only one you, so why would you settle for an off the shelf, cookie cutter saddle or leather gear? When you choose to invest in custom designed, signature saddle or leather gear, you are investing in leaving a legacy piece. One of a kind, made to fit, made to last. Dave has been refining his craft as a saddler for the last 27 yrs, having started his career pulling apart and rebuilding his first ever saddle, he then spent a lot of years in a saddle breaking and training horses. He knows the importance of a saddle that fits in all the right places, for both the horse and rider. Balanced rider, balanced horse, happy riding. Dave also enjoys cowboy action shooting and creates gunbelts and holsters to specifications and safety. AND anything that can be crafted, moulded and brought to life using leather!

THIS. This is what saddle making school 1:1 looks like. 🤎Renae has just spent six full days in the shed with Dave, bring...
19/09/2026

THIS. This is what saddle making school 1:1 looks like. 🤎

Renae has just spent six full days in the shed with Dave, bringing her very own ranch saddle to life.

And this is where 1:1 really makes a difference.

In a group setting, you’re sharing the teacher’s time, working alongside other students who may be at different stages, and everyone generally follows the same pace and structure.

1:1 is different.

🐴 One student. One saddler. One saddle.

Renae was able to choose the style of saddle she wanted to build, and then spend six days working directly alongside Dave — learning, asking questions, having things demonstrated, then getting straight in there and doing it herself.

There’s no waiting for the teacher to get around to you.

No trying to keep up with someone else.

No rushing because the rest of the class has moved on.

And no sitting back watching someone else do the work.

The week is about YOU and YOUR saddle.

Six days immersed in the process, learning the skills and techniques that go into building a saddle from the ground up — and having Dave there to guide, correct and explain along the way.

And at the end of it?

Renae gets to take home a ranch saddle she has actually built herself, along with the knowledge and skills to keep developing her craft.

That’s the beauty of one-on-one saddle making school.

Your saddle.
Your pace.
Your six days.
Your experience. 🤎🐴

And Renae… you absolutely smashed it! 👏🏻

17/09/2026

🐴 **WHY BOOK A CLINIC WITH DONAL HANCOCK?** 🐴

On **Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026**, join **Donal Hancock of Hancock Horsemanship ** for two progressive days of practical horsemanship, learning and connection at **Hidden Gold, Moffatdale**.

Donal’s approach is grounded in building communication, confidence and understanding between horse and rider. His experience spans liberty, reining, camp drafting, cutting and dressage, and includes the **Jack Brainard Horsemanship Award** and **Reserve Champion at the 2024 Road to the Horse World Championships in Kentucky**.

Across the two days, you’ll explore:

✨ Groundwork, liberty and horsemanship
✨ Communication, timing, softness and feel
✨ Body control and responsiveness
✨ Ridden work and refined cues
✨ Practical tools you can continue using at home
✨ Building a stronger partnership with your horse

This clinic is designed to help you and your horse progress together—whether you’re strengthening your foundations, building confidence or ready to take the next step in your horsemanship.

**David Earle Custom Saddlery** will also be part of the weekend. Dave will be available for individual saddle-fitting assessments at **$100 per horse**, with selected saddlery, leather care and equipment available through the pop-up shop.

Not riding? **Fence-sitters are welcome**, making this a valuable weekend for anyone who wants to learn, observe and immerse themselves in good horsemanship.

📅 **Saturday 17 – Sunday 18 October 2026**
📍 **Hidden Gold, 59 Waterview Drive, Moffatdale QLD 4605**
🎟️ **Two-day ticket: $490**

👉 **Book your tickets here:**
https://www.stickytickets.com.au/MIY8BY

Hosted by **Saddlers Rest Wondai — Coffee • Saddlery • Leatherwork**
**Home of David Earle Custom Saddles**

MasterSaddlery Moffatdale QueenslandHorses HorseTraining EquestrianClinic

5 reasons to invest in one-on-one Saddle Making School1. A full week with Dave — focused entirely on youYou're not shari...
13/09/2026

5 reasons to invest in one-on-one Saddle Making School

1. A full week with Dave — focused entirely on you
You're not sharing the instructor's time with a room full of students. For five days, Dave can work alongside you, answer your questions and help you through each stage as you build.

2. You choose the saddle you want to make 🐴
You're not handed a predetermined project. Choose the style that suits you — from a Western Stock through to a Wade, and build the skills around the saddle you're actually interested in making.

3. Learn by actually doing
This isn't sitting in a classroom watching someone else make a saddle. You're hands-on throughout the process, with Dave there to guide you, demonstrate techniques and help you correct things as you go.

4. Work at YOUR pace
Everyone learns differently. With one-on-one tuition, there's no trying to keep up with a group or waiting for everyone else to catch up. Spend more time on the areas you need and move forward when you're ready.

5. Immerse yourself in the craft for a whole week
Five days surrounded by leather, tools, saddles and an experienced saddler gives you something you simply can't get from watching videos or reading a book. You get to see, feel and understand the little things that come with years of hands-on experience.

And at the end of the week…

You haven't just attended a course.

You've spent a week learning to build a saddle of your chosen style, alongside a master craftsman, and taken home skills you can continue to build on for years to come.

That's an investment in a skill — and in yourself. 🤎🐴

One-on-one Saddle Making School with Dave Earle.

One week. One saddle. One-on-one.

11/09/2026

🤠 Wobbly Boot

You might watch this video and think Dave's just having a bit of a wobble. 😂

I call it “Wobbly Boot.”

But there's actually a lot more behind it.

Dave has Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD). It's something that affects his balance and the way his brain processes movement and visual information, and for him, the dizziness and imbalance are there every day.

When he's walking down the street, his gait can sometimes be so affected that someone who doesn't know him could easily think he's had too much to drink, or even that he's living with an acquired brain injury.

But this is Dave navigating his everyday life with PPPD.

And this little video gives you a glimpse of it.

He's standing in the shed, looking at some carving he's started on a couple of fenders, deliberately rocking backwards and forwards. The movement and the visual concentration can challenge his balance, and this is something he has to navigate while trying to continue doing the work he loves.

The reality is, we've had to change what “work” looks like for Dave.

Working in his own environment, surrounded by the tools and craft he's known for years, and at his own capacity is where we've found ourselves now.

He can take a break when he needs to. Sit down when he needs to. Work on the days and for the amount of time his body allows.

And we're learning that there's a big difference between what Dave wants to be able to do and what his body will currently let him do.

We're still navigating what the future looks like — for Dave though, he'll keep going until he can't.

It's not always easy.

But for now, we're learning to work with what we've got, rather than constantly wishing things were the way they used to be.

So if you see Dave having a “Wobbly Boot” moment, you'll know there's a whole lot more going on than meets the eye. ❤️

And he's still Dave. Still a saddler. Still creating. Still showing up.

Just doing it a little differently these days. 🐴🤎

OCTOBER CLINICS AT SADDLERS REST — TICKETS SELLING FAST! 🪢🐴October is shaping up to be massive here at Saddlers Rest in ...
09/09/2026

OCTOBER CLINICS AT SADDLERS REST — TICKETS SELLING FAST! 🪢🐴

October is shaping up to be massive here at Saddlers Rest in Wondai! We’ve got two incredible, hands-on 2-day clinics lined up with two absolute masters in their field, and spots are filling up quickly.

Whether you want to master the traditional art of leather plaiting or elevate your connection and communication with your horse, these are two events you don't want to miss:

🪢 1. Kangaroo Hide Whip Making Workshop with Chris Barr (2-Day Workshop)
Learn from the best! Renowned whip making champion Chris Barr is joining us for an intensive 2-day masterclass.

Craft your own genuine Australian kangaroo hide whip from start to finish under Chris's expert guidance.
Learn traditional cutting, preparing, plaiting, and finishing techniques.
A rare opportunity to walk away with a custom masterpiece made with your own hands.
Strictly limited bench spaces to ensure individual coaching.
🐴 2. Donal Hancock Horsemanship Clinic (2-Day Clinic)
Take your horsemanship to the next level with respected horseman Donal Hancock.

Build true confidence, softness, and understanding with your horse in a supportive environment.
Practical foundation work, problem solving, and refined communication that translates to any discipline.
Rider spots are strictly capped to ensure plenty of individual time and focus.
Fence-sitter / spectator spots also available!

Bookings & Enquiries: Tickets and rider spots are strictly limited and moving fast.

👉 Send us a direct message on Facebook, pop into the shop at 73 Haly St, or call Dave & Tania to secure your spot before they're gone!

The start of our sitting/viewing area.Come for a good coffee (Retro blend) and a shop.
05/09/2026

The start of our sitting/viewing area.

Come for a good coffee (Retro blend) and a shop.

Coffee Bar open Wednesday - Saturday 6.30am - 2.30pmSundays will vary, but will be open for fathers day.
03/09/2026

Coffee Bar open Wednesday - Saturday 6.30am - 2.30pm
Sundays will vary, but will be open for fathers day.

Address

73 Haly Street
Wondai, QLD
4606

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 3:30pm
Thursday 9am - 3:30pm
Friday 9am - 3pm
Saturday 9am - 1:30pm
Sunday 9am - 1pm

Telephone

+61429615289

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