Saddles and Soul: Circle Y Rides On in the Heart of Texas

In the small Texas town of Yoakum, the sound of tools on leather has been part of daily life for almost 100 years. No one knows that more keenly than local saddle-maker, Circle Y Saddles, home to generations of craftsmen and women who proudly pass down their skills and artistry of saddlemaking. It’s a craft that connects past to present, preserving the town’s identity in every hand-tooled detail.

In the GVEC region, Yoakum is a town built by ranchers, saddle-makers and leatherworkers. Located about 90 minutes east of San Antonio and two hours west of Houston, Yoakum offers a unique blend of rural charm and access to major markets.

“We’re perfectly situated,” says Marketing Operations Coordinator, Josie Stowers. And it’s no coincidence that Circle Y, one of the country’s leading saddle makers, has called Yoakum home for more than 65 years. In this part of Texas, horses aren’t a hobby. They’re a way of life.

The Leather Legacy of Yoakum 

The town of Yoakum holds the nickname, “The Land of Leather,” so it’s no surprise that Circle Y has employed generations of the most talented leather craftsmen in the state. 

“With about 80 employees, having a saddlery of this size is really unique,” says Senior Marketing Executive, Dara Loudon. “It’s definitely the people that make the brand.” 

Every saddle made at Circle Y reflects a balance of hands-on artistry and evolving saddle technology, resulting in gear tailored to each rider’s needs and style. Each piece can also be fully customized with personal touches.  

“We have customers who like to add heirloom conchos or choose leather colors or treatments specific to them. We love the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind saddle for our riders.” After all, a saddle is not fast fashion. A well-cared-for saddle will last you a lifetime. Oftentimes, customers will pass on their saddles to younger generations of riders. Imagine the stories a saddle could tell. 

A Saddle Company Comes Full Circle

Perfect for a campfire story, Circle Y’s history is rich with craftsmanship, resilience and a little bit of entrepreneurial daring. It began in 1919, when one of Yoakum’s first saddle makers, Tex Tan, was founded by the Welhausen family. By the 1950s, Tex Tan was producing an impressive 30% of all saddles sold in the United States.

That same decade marked a major change: the family-run business was acquired by New York–based Tandy Brands, ending its hometown ownership. In 1958, Tex Tan offered shareholders a $5-per-share buyout. Seeing an opportunity, Leland Tucker, Ed Kridler, Rudy Guettner, William Manning and Berney Brzozowski pooled their proceeds to launch Circle Y of Yoakum.

From its start, Circle Y quickly rose to the top, becoming a market leader in saddles, tack, bits, pads and other riding gear. The business continued to thrive even as Tex Tan and other Yoakum saddleries eventually closed their doors.

Circle Y flourished for another 60 years until tragedy struck the company in 2021 when owner Steve Tucker passed away in a fatal plane crash. It was a devastating loss for the close-knit Yoakum community. But, as is often the case in small towns, resilience rose quickly.

In 2023, nearby Kaspar Companies, a fifth-generation family-owned business and the descendants of the same Welhausens who founded Tex Tan in 1919, purchased Circle Y. The transition preserved not just the brand but also the community spirit and craftsmanship at its core. In 2024, Kaspar Companies and Circle Y repurchased the name Tex Tan, thus reuniting these historic Yoakum, TX brands and cementing forever the "Welhausen Legacy" in Lavaca County and Yoakum.

Committing to a Legacy

Circle Y’s commitment extends beyond its leather and stitching. The company is currently partnering with the Town of Yoakum to help renovate the Yoakum Rodeo Arena, aiming to attract larger crowds and bring new life to local rodeo events.

It’s just one more way the company stays true to its roots by supporting the riders, ranchers and neighbors who support them.

Visit Circle Y Saddles for more information, to view products or to shop online. If you are in the area, please visit their new showroom at 1708 N. South Street in Yoakum, TX. 

To learn more about the local businesses Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative serves, visit the GVEC website.