Our Story

Born from an entrepreneur’s dream of innovation, Saddlemans was founded in 1992 by Lance Nolder. Lance first kicked off the company by selling leather accessories at a winter season open air market at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, CA.  At the time, he was living in Cardiff by the Sea in San Diego where subsequently he opened a seasonal store for Christmas in a shopping mall.  As the outdoor market flourished Lance decided to find another location that would offset the Palm Desert winter market and he ventured out to charming Santa Fe, NM.  This was a pivotal decision in the success of Saddlemans as the then Trader Jacks Santa Fe Market was known for catering to foreign travelers and business owners throughout the U.S. who were looking for authentic southwest style products and furnishings.  It was at this time in Santa Fe that he found his source for Hair on Hide cowhide rugs. And so began his travels to Brazil to source supplies for Saddlemans from the best tanneries in the world. 

Once the trips to Brazil began, Lance immediately understood that in order to get the very best product available he would need to make frequent trips to uphold the quality he demanded for his customers.  While running the business from Santa Fe, he attended the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas, NV annually which put Saddlemans in front of a targeted crowd and he received an overwhelming response to the product.  It was there it became apparent there was a larger need for high quality hides and thus began the expansion to Wholesale and the Design Trade throughout the United States.

In 2013, Saddlemans moved back to Lance's roots in Orange County, CA where he now resides in his hometown of Huntington Beach with his beautiful wife Michela (did we forget to mention he fell in love in Brazil too) and their golden doodle Lola.

Today, Saddlemans remains the leading branded hair-on-hide supplier in the country after almost 30 years thanks to Lance’s tireless efforts, innovative ideas, and the unwavering support from his loyal customers.