Cart
0
When it comes to competing at a high level, confidence in the saddle can make all the difference. For barrel racer Andrea Cline, that confidence came at exactly the right time – and it changed everything.
“My relationship with Usher Brand started in 2017 when I won one,” Andrea shares. “I had suffered a pretty intense injury, and balance in a saddle became a real issue at times. That Usher was a game changer for me. If I was having a bad balance day, that Usher saddle kept me where I needed to be. I had no idea what I was missing until I was blessed and won one.”
For Andrea, what truly sets Usher apart is the way each saddle supports the rider. “The rider fit is everything,” she explains. “My legs are never behind me, and I’m never trapped if I need to stand up in my stirrups.” After her injury, that freedom and stability became essential. “There were times I was so dizzy and discombobulated, but you’d never know it when I was in that saddle. It gave me such confidence.”
That confidence carries over into the horses she rides each year, no matter their age or experience. “My horses this year are young. They’re nice horses – one broke two arena records last year and the other from last year is just so honest and consistent,” she says. “The other two are getting better and better and gaining confidence. One is a bit of an over achiever and thinks she knows it all so there’s a fine line in convincing her to let me help her. The other was scared of everything with no confidence. They both are making beautiful consistent runs and starting to get faster on their own will.”
Among her many runs, one stands out above the rest. “My favorite was an arena record on HP Winning Roses,” she recalls. “I wasn’t asking her for anything, she just laid one down. It was pretty easy for her, really.”
Looking ahead, Andrea’s approach remains steady and intentional. “2026 is no different than any other year for me,” she says. “I just want to step the horses up to their individual ability. I keep each horse in the competition they’re suited for. If the horses I’m running stay in my barn, I’ll start dabbling in some rodeos here and there. I’ll keep gaining their confidence and keep trying to up their game, progressing to stouter races as they’re ready.”
Through it all, from recovery to competition to finishing young horses, Andrea relies on a saddle that supports her every step of the way, and we’re proud to stand by her.