The Australian Stock Saddle
and the Saddlers that made them
ROBERT STANLEY WERNER 1896 - 1967
Robert Werner in his shop at Rockhampton 1937
Photo Credit: Facebook
Robert Werner was first recognised as a harness maker, with his horse collars being very sought after by both customers and wholesale saddlery houses in Brisbane. He started his business in his sister’s shed, then moved to premises just off Quay Street, Rockhampton in 1921.
The Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton, in the early 1930s, reported that launching out in business in a small way, Mr. Werner, as a result of his success, immediately came into prominence. His collars were in demand all over the State and it is a compliment to him that he received an order from a firm of carriers in Brisbane. Mr. Werner gained fame with his horse collars, but recently he has branched out into the manufacture of saddles. This enterprising, young Rockhampton man was never beaten in competition with his collars, and he claims that his saddles are equally as good. All hand stitched, the saddles are manufactured in his factory, which is all times open for inspection by the public. Poley saddles are his specialty and they are manufactured in three types - the “Fitzroy” the "Wonder" and the "Werner."
So started the manufacture of one of the most sought after saddles for station and mustering work in the 1930s – 40s. They were in demand for use all over Australia and New Guinea. In 1934 the winner of the Rockhampton Show Buckjumping contest was riding in a Werner Wonder Poley, so Bob used that feat as an extra advertising campaign for his saddles.
The features of the Werner Wonder Poley were advertised as: “HAS A MARVELLOUS GRIP that no, if other make, can give. Seat is very soft and will always remain so. This Saddle is not a Factory make, but is made by R. S. Werner on the premises. All hand-made and hand sewn. Built on a Werner Special Unbreakable Tree. WERNER POLEY, 4 in. straight pads”.
The Werner store in William Street was refurbished in 1935 after a fire and created quite a display. Some of the features included a window display of several Wonder poley saddles. The window also carried specimens of almost everything a man on a horse could require. Mirrors embellished the window and inside the shop one of the largest mirrors in the town, reflecting a handsome show case. The shop was commodious and well lit and permitted ready examination of the stock. Mr Werner always welcomed country customers to come and view his stock plus the men at work, hand making the saddles.
The Morning Bulletin ran a small story on 21 February 1936:
"Mr R. S. Werner, 28 William Street, Rockhampton, maker of the Wonder Poley saddle, advises that he has at present four skilled saddle hands working at full pressure to cope with an increasing number of orders. Mr Werner claims his Wonder saddle to be superior to southern makes and states that in all his saddles he has special unbreakable trees; the best leather procurable is used, and the workmanship is guaranteed. The saddles have an excellent grip and the seats remain soft".
Upon the death of Robert Werner in 1967, the store was taken over by Werner’s son, then after his unfortunate death, his wife Cecily continued to run the store. In 2011 she called it a day and closed the shop rather than selling, as she stated that she could not have stood to see the name “Werner” being used without a family member trading under the name.
Cecily Werner says once the stock has gone she’ll end nearly 90 years of family association with her shop in William Street Picture: Chris Ison