About us
Our Story.
The Woman Behind the Brand
I’m Jo Piscopello, a perfectionist by nature, a horsewoman by heart and the hands behind Saddle & Spur.
If you’ve ever met someone who insists everything must match, from the clothes in their wardrobe to the garden beds outside their home then you’ll understand a little of who I am. For me, beauty lies in the harmony of things. It’s not just about how something looks, but how it feels, how it fits, how it functions, how it expresses the rider’s presence and pride. That devotion to detail and aesthetic began in childhood, growing up beside the roaming circus ponies that grazed my neighbour’s paddock. Most were Appaloosas, they were full of mischief and wild with personality. I was hooked from the moment I sat on one.
At 16, a friend introduced me to the world of Western showing. The moment I stepped into that arena with its elegance, precision and the artistry of the rider’s attire, I knew I had found my place. I trained, I showed, I learned. Each discipline, from Western Pleasure to Trail and Horsemanship, taught me patience, grit, and the joy of fine-tuning your craft.
For 22 years, I served in the police force, and Western riding became my therapy, the balm that soothed the intensity of that life. When life and the impact of working in the force eventually led me to step away, I turned to rhinestoning as a calming creative outlet. What started as simple embellishments on store-bought shirts quickly turned into something more. I loved it but the quality of the shirts I was working with didn’t match the standard I held myself to.
So I began designing my own.
How Saddle & Spur Was Born
There was always a gap in the Australian market for high-quality Western show clothing. For years, I sourced garments from the US because nothing here felt elevated enough. But I believed Australian riders deserved that same level of sophistication, elegance and class. So I decided to fill that gap, with the dream to provide for those here in Australia, as well as reaching over to the US, as Saddle & Spur is its own living, breathing being and only provides the highest quality.
I wanted more than rhinestones. I wanted structure. Quality. Fit. A garment that made a rider feel confident and polished. A brand that embodied the essence of Western show culture without ever looking like a costume.
Choosing the name Saddle & Spur was part instinct, part guidance. I had a long list, but this one kept rising to the surface. It spoke to the heart of Western riding while remaining clean and simple.
From my first factory production run to seeing those first shirts worn in the ring, Saddle & Spur became more than just a business. It became a calling. A way to serve a community I love and to offer something truly exceptional to riders who value refinement as much as I do.
The Heart of Saddle & Spur
Saddle & Spur is built on three things: elegance, quality and unapologetic excellence. We are aspirational, always. Never kitsch. Never cheap. Every piece we design is about bringing a rider’s full presence to life, making them feel confident, graceful and striking the moment they enter the ring.
We use luxurious stretch taffeta for ease of movement, thoughtful construction like princess seams for a tailored fit and discreet wrist zips for effortless quick changes. Every detail is considered. Every stitch is intentional. Check out our Trailblazer Contrast Series for these ones, and explore our other collections for the full range, and see the difference in each collection.
Our brand is for women who want to turn heads for all the right reasons. Women who understand that presentation is power and who aren’t afraid to stand out with grace and class.
This isn’t just show wear. It’s an extension of who you are in the saddle.
The Vision Ahead
My biggest dream? For Saddle & Spur to be recognised worldwide as Australia’s leading name in high-end Western show apparel. A brand known for delivering elegance, reliability and performance with garments that feel just as good as they look.
I want to become the one-stop shop for riders who care about every detail. Who want to show up and show out, not with flash, but with flair.
Because when you wear Saddle & Spur, you wear more than a shirt.
You wear a story of dedication, of beauty, of strength.
Saddle and Spur
Australian Made Certified
We are proud to share that Saddle & Spur is officially Australian Made certified — a mark of authenticity, quality, and commitment to local craftsmanship. From the very beginning, Jo’s vision has been to create premium garments that reflect elegance, integrity, and the western show spirit, all while supporting Australian industry.
This certification stands as a symbol of that commitment — to her customers, her community, and to the values that Saddle & Spur is built on.
