Tucker Trail Riders

Gillian larson

Gillian Larson is the only rider to have completed four documented Mexico-to-Canada rides: three on the Pacific Crest Trail (2014, 2016, and 2022) and one on the Continental Divide Trail (2018). In addition, she has completed the Arizona Trail and Colorado Trail (2017), the John Muir Trail (2019), and several other remote wilderness routes, bringing her total to more than 15,000 documented backcountry miles.

Since 2017, Gillian has ridden exclusively in Tucker saddles and is proud to partner with the company not only as a rider but also as a sales representative who provides saddle tree fittings. Through this collaboration and her outreach, she helps fellow riders find equipment that supports both horse and rider on long, demanding journeys.

Her approach to equestrian travel is rooted in a modern, progressive ethos that emphasizes respect for her equine partners while celebrating the challenges and rewards of wilderness riding. She is passionate about educating others on the realities of long-distance equestrian travel—everything from navigating rough terrain and weather extremes to ensuring the well-being of the horses themselves. In doing so, she continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in backcountry riding while also helping to modernize traditional packing and trail techniques.

Based on California’s Central Coast, Gillian lives on a ranch where she cares for her herd of six horses and a mule. When not on the trail, she uses her home base to train, prepare, and share her experiences, inspiring others to explore the backcountry with both adventure and responsibility in mind.

travis defibaugh

Travis DeFibaugh spends nearly every week riding deep into Utah’s rugged, mountainous backcountry, putting hard miles on his Tucker saddles whether he is elk hunting, packing into remote wilderness, or covering ground on long day trips. Horses have always been part of his life, and his story with Tucker saddles began on the East Coast when he first started riding in his grandparents’ gear at just seven or eight years old. Although he loved horses from the beginning, riding itself didn’t capture his imagination as a child. That changed dramatically when, at 28, he moved west to Utah and fell in love with riding in the mountains, discovering the freedom and adventure that backcountry travel on horseback could offer.

When he made the move, his grandparents passed down their Tucker saddles—already more than 20 years old at the time—which he had grown up riding in as a kid. Those saddles became his constant companions as he explored the wild country of Utah, carrying him across mountain passes, through remote valleys, and along rugged trails. Though his grandparents are now too old to ride themselves, they continue to share in his adventures by living vicariously through the journeys their saddles have taken him on, finding joy in the stories and places he brings back to them.

Today, Travis owns several newer Tucker saddles but still treasures the originals, which remain rideable even after decades of use. While they have largely been retired from the trail, he will never part with them. For him, they are far more than tack—they are a connection to family, a source of countless memories, and a symbol of the bond between generations that Tucker saddles have helped to carry forward.