Meet Lynnsy Diekman

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lynnsy Diekman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lynnsy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The business actually started in a pretty humble and unexpected way. It was originally just a retirement hobby for Danna Golden’s dad—something he could enjoy, stay busy with, and stay connected to the western lifestyle he loved. At the time, there was no grand plan or expectation that it would grow into anything significant. But as word spread and more people connected with the quality and values behind it, it naturally began to take off.

Danna eventually teamed up with her dad, bringing her own vision and drive into the mix. Over time, she stepped in fully and purchased the business, continuing to build on the strong, old-school foundation it was created on. From the beginning, the focus has always been on doing things the right way—honest work, quality products, and treating people right. Today, that same mindset carries forward, with a deeper mission to make a meaningful impact in the western industry—not just for riders, but for their horses first and foremost.

What should our readers know about your business?
Saddle Up is, at its core, a family business built on relationships, trust, and a genuine love for the western way of life. Located in Gilcrest, Colorado, we’ve always believed in knowing our customers by name, not just by their order history. That personal connection is something that truly sets us apart. We’re not just selling saddles and tack—we’re helping people find the right fit for both them and their horses, and that matters to us.

What we’re most proud of is that we’ve grown the old-fashioned way. Saddle Up started back in 1997 as a simple retirement hobby and built momentum through word of mouth, referrals, and good, honest business practices. Today, we carry over 350 new and used saddles along with a wide selection of quality tack, offering both trusted, time-tested brands and leading names in the industry. But even as we’ve grown, we’ve stayed rooted in the same values we started with.

It definitely hasn’t been easy. The industry has changed a lot over the years, especially with the rise of online competition. We’ve had to adapt, learn new skills, and find ways to stay relevant while still holding onto what makes us different. That’s meant investing in education, leaning on community resources, and staying open to change without losing our identity.

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that authenticity and consistency go a long way. If you take care of your customers and stand behind what you do, people remember that. We’ve also learned that growth doesn’t happen overnight—it takes patience, resilience, and a willingness to keep showing up, even when things get tough.

More than anything, we want people to know that Saddle Up is about more than just products. It’s about community. It’s about supporting local, giving back, and making sure both riders and their horses are taken care of the right way. In a world that’s moving faster and more online every day, we’re proud to still offer a place where people can come in, shake your hand, and trust they’re getting honest guidance and quality they can rely on.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If our best friend was coming into town for a week, we’d make sure they got the full Northern Colorado experience—small-town charm mixed with a little adventure and a lot of good food.

First off, we’d have to warn them about Gilcrest… if you blink, you’ll drive right through it. But that’s exactly why we love it—it’s quiet, close-knit, and the perfect home base. From there, we’d branch out and show them everything nearby.

We’d kick things off in Greeley, starting with breakfast or brunch at Maple & Oak. It’s a family-owned spot and hands down one of our favorites—their waffle menu is unreal. Sweet, savory, it doesn’t matter, you really can’t go wrong.

After that, we’d spend some time at Island Grove Fairgrounds exploring the historic village. It’s a great way to soak in the history of the area and get a feel for the western roots that are still very much alive here.

Of course, no trip would be complete without getting into the mountains. We’d plan at least a couple days for that—packing up, heading out early, and hitting some of the trails. Whether it’s riding, hiking, or just taking in the views, that’s where Colorado really shows off.

Throughout the week, we’d mix in some local shopping, definitely a stop at Saddle Up to check out the shop and meet the crew, and just spend time enjoying the slower pace you don’t always get in bigger cities.

Evenings would be easy—good food, good company, maybe catching local events or just unwinding after a full day. Nothing too fancy, just real, genuine experiences.

At the end of the week, they’d leave with a full stomach, a little more appreciation for the western lifestyle, and probably already planning their next trip back.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When we look at where we are today, it’s impossible not to recognize the people and organizations that helped us along the way. One that truly stands out is Mi Casa Resource Center in Denver. They played a huge role in our growth—not just for the business, but for us as individuals.

Through their business and social media classes, they gave both the owner and our team practical tools, knowledge, and confidence that we still rely on today. They didn’t just hand us information—they invested in us, encouraged us, and helped us see what was possible.

Building something from the ground up takes more than hard work—it takes guidance, support, and people who are willing to pour into you along the way. Mi Casa did exactly that for us, and their impact is something we’re incredibly grateful for.

Website: https://saddleupcolorado.net/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saddleupcolorado/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaddleUp.WesternSaddle.TackShop

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/saddle-up-gilcrest

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SaddleUpColorado

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@saddleupcolo?lang=en

Image Credits
They were all taken by us 🙂