Find out who won annual awards.
The Society of Master Saddlers’ (SMS) annual National Competition was held at Saddlers Hall, the London home of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, on 6 February.
More than 150 people gathered for the presentation of prizes by Hugh Taylor, Saddlers’ Company Prime Warden.
SMS President Karen Schlotter began the evening by quoting Pierre de Coubertin, the father of modern Olympic Games: “The most important thing… is not winning but taking part.
“Without all the wonderful entries that didn’t win a prize, we wouldn’t have such an amazing display of creativity and talent,” she added.
Society of Master Saddlers 2024 Saddlery Competition Results
Most of the prize fund was generously provided by The Worshipful Company of Saddlers with charitable contributions from The Worshipful Company of Coach and Coach Harness Makers, Abbey England, Cribbs Carriage Masters and H Webber.
Master and Apprentice
A Headcollar made by the Apprentice and Foal Slip made by the Master.
First place - Master Saddler Sarah Stevens and her Apprentice Charlotte Cheesman
Premiums: Sarah Stevens, Charlotte Cheesman, Harri Bruce and Gabrielle Mitchley
Trainee Bridlework
A Snaffle Bridle conforming to Level 2 City and Guilds Skills Assessment specification
Sponsored by Abbey England
First place - Bonnie Dale, Capel Manor College
Second place - Hannah Phair, Capel Manor College
Third place - Hettie Rogers, Capel Manor College
Premiums: Bonnie Dale, Hannah Phair, Hettie Rogers and Tamara Hug.
In-hand Stallion Show Bridle conforming to Level 3 City and Guilds Skills Assessment specification
First place - Regina Mitchell
Second place - Millie James, The King’s Troop RHA
Third place - Harri Bruce, SES Saddlery
Premiums: Regina Mitchell, Millie James and Harri Bruce
A Crupper & Dock
Sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Coach and Coach Harness Makers
First place - Hettie Rogers, Capel Manor College
Second place - Hannah Phair, Capel Manor College
Third place - Hattie Stevens, Capel Manor College
Fourth place - Bonnie Dale, Capel Manor College
Premiums: Hettie Rogers, Hannah Phair, Hattie Stevens, Bonnie Dale, Millie James, Regina Mitchell and Harri Bruce.
Trainee Saddle (Rural)
Any type or size of Leather Saddle suitable to meet the criteria of C&G Level 2 or 3 Saddle specification (2nd Prize - Sponsored by Osborne Tools)
First place - Samantha Penfold Garrett, Saddlery Training Centre
Second place - Frances Ridley, Saddlery Training Centre
Third place - Bonnie Dale, Capel Manor College
Intermediate Bridle open to qualified and trainee members only
Hunting Breastplate with Martingale Attachment
First place - Harri Bruce, SES Saddlery
Second place - Charlotte Cheesman, SES Saddlery
Third place - Christie Farren, The King’s Troop RHA
Premiums: Harri Bruce, Charlotte Cheesman, Christie Farren
Special Open Class
A Straight Clincher Link Browband
First place - Joanne Dennison
Second place - Gudrun Thuesen
Third place - Tamara Hug
Fourth place - Katy Warriner
Premiums: Joanne Dennison, Gudrun Thuesen, Tamara Hug and Katy Warriner
Small Business Saddle Makers
Any design of English Astride leather saddle
First place - Signe Dreyer
Second place - Hattie Crabtree
Third place - Kate Hardt
Premiums: Signe Dreyer
Trade / Company Saddle
Any design of leather English Astride Saddle
First place - Hastilow & Sons
Premiums: Hastilow & Sons, Frank Baines Saddlery
Open Harness
A pair of leather Shaft Tugs
Sponsored by Cribbs Carriage Masters
First place - Catrien Coppens
Second place - Line Hansen
Third place - Carolyn Truss
Premiums: Catrien Coppens, Line Hansen, Carolyn Truss and Katy Warriner
Open Bridle
A Show Pony Snaffle Bridle
First place - Helen Reader
Second place - Catherine Baker
Third place - Christie Farren
Premiums: Helen Reader, Catherine Baker, Christie Farren and Line Hansen
Open Saddle
Any design of Dressage Saddle
First place - Andrew Hastilow, Hastilow & Sons
Second place - Michael Roper, Frank Baines Saddlery
Third place - Lee Jones, L A Jones Saddlemaker
Premiums: Andrew Hastilow, Michael Roper and Lee Jones and George Jones and Scott Smith of Frank Baines Saddlery
A Side Saddle
First place - Coralie Chung
Second place - Kate Hardt
Third place - Suzanne Hall
Premium: Coralie Chung
Open Class
Dog Collar or Harness with Lead
First place - Catrien Coppens
Second place - Frances Roche
Third place - Lucy Ellis
Fourth place - Lisa Hoskins
Premiums: Catrien Coppens, Frances Roche, Lucy Ellis, Lisa Hoskins, Meg Webb, Kirsty Thomson, Corrie King, Amy Biggs, Emily Gunnell, Frances Ridley, Joanne Dennison, Tahia Hunt and Lynsey Ellis
The President’s Choice
Theme ‘Useful Bright & Beautiful’ Any functional leather item inspired by the natural world.
First place - Lucy Cushley for the Moses Basket
Second place - Godfrey Morris MBE for the Butterfly Clock
Third place - Line Hansen for the Walking Boots
Fourth place - Helen Leedham for the Lamp
Premiums: Lucy Cushley, Godfrey Morris, Line Hansen, Helen Leedham and Catherine Baker who made the Knife Roll, Jeff Barry for his Gun Slip and Claire Davenport for her Book Cover.
Competition Trophies
The Tony Byrne Memorial Trophy for the best Harness entry by an Apprentice or Trainee was awarded to Gabrielle Mitchley for her Shaft Tuggs entered in the open harness class.
The Tony Russell Memorial Trophy for the best harness entry was awarded to Catrien Coppens for her entry in the open harness class.
The Side Saddle Association Trophy for the best side saddle was awarded to Coralie Chung.
The Neil McCarraher trophy for the best Trade Saddle was awarded to Hastilow & Sons.
The Ken Lyndon Dykes Perpetual Trophy for the best entry in the President’s Choice class, ‘Useful Bright & Beautiful’ was awarded to Lucy Cushley for the Moses Basket.
The Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy for the best bridlework entry was awarded to Helen Reader for her entry in the Open Bridle class, presented by John Batchelor.
The Les Coker Millennium Trophy for best entry by an Apprentice was awarded to Charlotte Cheesman for her entry in the Master and Apprentice Class.
The Bruce Emtage Memorial Plate for Best in Show was awarded to Andrew Hastilow for his saddle entered in the Open Saddle Class.
