Mario Hanel, originally from Sublimity, Oregon, has been building saddles for over ten years and brought his saddlemaking business to Lakeview in 2012. He creates functional saddles for people working with horses as well as decorative saddles. Since his father was a custom gunsmith, Hanel started out building traditional and historical replica leather gun holsters. He turned next to saddlemaking, learning his craft from many other saddlemakers. Hanel even received a Traditional Cowboy Arts Association scholarship. His customers include ranchers, horsemen, cowboys, and all sorts of people working in western traditions, as well as collectors. His preferred style is the more decorative California-style of saddles, but he has also turned out “roughouts” and plain saddles, as well as chaps. He has also made half saddles. Hanel’s thoughtful style and careful, detailed craftsmanship is one that appeals to his customers who he calls pretty savvy and sure of what they want.