My saddle is built on a barrel racing tree, but it was custom made to my specs. I had it double skirted and rings put on to tie strings on. I think you could take any saddle in and have them added, I think Hair did it to her English Saddle.
Barrel saddles do make good trail saddles as they are usually pretty light weight. Unfortunatly mine isn't, about 30-40 lbs. I had it made before I started CTRs. I wanted a pretty saddle, for my pretty horse:).
I've thought seriously about getting a differnt one several times. But altho it is heavy, it has never sored up a horse, it has fit every horse I've put it on, and it is very comfortable to me. Sooooo, I'm going with, "if it's not broke, don't fix it:)". I also paid a good amount for it, and know I'd never get that back beings the use and abuse it's been put thru.
Becky
You can't go wrong with a custom saddle, that's for sure. I didn't want to spend that much money, since she really prefers to ride english. I do have a custom english saddle that she's stolen from me. :)
As you know, I ride english on trail and I guess I feel secure, I've never ridden anything else. and I did have rings added to it for strings. I can tie a coat or saddle bags or lines and halters to it.
You can add rings to any saddle. The one you picture looks like it could also serve as an amature show saddle, and if she wants that dual purpose, that'd be great. However, for just trail, I don't think you can beat the neopreen synthetic saddles, they only weigh a few pounds (I don't know what) and can be hosed off if they get muddy.