Award-winning saddler spreads the word from Eastern Europe to the Scottish Highlands.
Jocelyn Danby has been named ETN/SMS Bench Saddler of the Month for September.
This award, presented in conjunction with the Society of Master Saddlers (SMS), recognises those who uphold the highest standard of leathercraft skills.
Based on the Black Isle in the Highlands of Scotland, Jocelyn runs Danby Equestrian with her partner Kieran Forsyth. They are both SMS registered, qualified Master Saddlers and Saddle Fitters.
Jocelyn has always been creative and has a life-long love of horses. By 1999, this combined passion saw her attending courses with David May at the Cumbrian Saddlery School.
She learnt the core craft skills that she still uses today, but then life took Jocelyn in a different direction – as a riding instructor.
Chance meeting
Following a move to Scotland, she continued to teach and worked as a veterinary nurse… until a chance meeting with SMS Master Saddler and Saddle Fitter Kay Hastilow in 2009 at a British Horse Society instructors’ course on saddle fit.
“Kay asked if anyone would be interested in training to become an SMS Saddle Fitter,” recalls Jocelyn. “Immediately my ears pricked up; I already had some bench saddlery skills, so this could be a great opportunity to get back into the industry.”
While training to fit saddles with Kay, Jocelyn studied for her saddler qualifications with Mark Romain at the Saddlery Training Centre.
Keeping horses comfortable
Equine welfare - and specifically keeping horses as comfortable as possible - is at the heart of why Jocelyn loves her job.
“Nothing beats the feeling of seeing a horse change its way of going because of something that I've done,” she says.
Today, Jocelyn’s clients are mainly pleasure riders, many with native breeds. She has a particular interest in Highland ponies, which has developed into a unique aspect of her business.
Deer saddles for stalking
As well as riding saddles, Jocelyn works with deer saddles used for stalking.
“Deer saddles are a type of pack saddle for carrying a deer carcass off the hill,” she explains.
“There are a few different types of deer saddle, but Kieran and I are developing a new design which will be adjustable, similar to a riding saddle with interchangeable head plates.
“A deer saddle that can be altered to fit the pony if they change shape is so important from a welfare point of view because, currently, fitting deer saddles isn’t a thing. It’s a case of putting the saddle on the pony and hope it fits.
“Some stags can weigh 20 stone, and the ponies are expected to carry them, so it's paramount that the saddle is comfortable and fits correctly.
“It’s about educating people to a new way of thinking,” says Jocelyn who hopes to spread the word among the ghillies who manage the deer on the Highland estates.
Keeping tradition alive
In 2012, Jocelyn was awarded a QUEST (Queen Elizabeth Trust) scholarship to study side saddle manufacture and restoration with Richard Godden – and it’s remained a passion as this style of riding enjoys a resurgence.
Jocelyn does restoration work and makes the odd side saddle from scratch. “I love to produce anything handmade, whether it’s something small, like a dog collar, or a much bigger item such as a side saddle or a deer saddle.
“It's just so rewarding to work hard at something, spend hours on it and when it’s finished, you have this beautiful product.”
Eastern European education
Two or three times a year, Jocelyn travels to Poland to teach bench saddlery, saddle fitting and bridle fitting for the Polish Saddlery Association.
“I teach students from Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, we've even got one keen to come from Ukraine,” says Jocelyn. “There’s a real problem over there with a lack of expertise on the bench and the fitting side.”
Thanks to her efforts, there are now nine saddle fitters qualified with the Polish Saddlery Association, two of them also being qualified as SMS saddle fitters.
In addition, Jocelyn reports that a few of the students who are interested in bench saddlery plan to visit the UK to do the SMS training and qualifications.
Indeed, she believes strongly in combing bench and fitting skills. “Being a bench saddler makes me a better fitter, and being a fitter makes me a better bench saddler,” she says. “The two sides of the job are interlinked; it’s all part of the same skill.
“I know there are people who are either a fitter or a saddler, but I feel that to really understand it from every angle, it’s important to train as a saddler and a fitter.”
Time out
Despite being so busy, Jocelyn finds time to ride and enjoys hacking and exploring the woodland and countryside on her doorstep.
She also devotes time to other crafts, such as beading, jewellery-making, painting, stone and glass etchings.
“I have a friend who does willow weaving, she came up here for a few weeks and made two beautiful willow grouse panniers that I then added to a deer saddle,” says Jocelyn. “It was great fun working together, doing our individual crafts.”
How to nominate a bench saddler
Everyone is invited to nominate bench saddlers they feel deserve to be named ETN Bench Saddler of the Month. Candidates for the award must be a member of the SMS and based in the UK or overseas.
To nominate a bench saddler (or more than one), email editor@equestriantradenews.com and tell us why this person deserves to be put in the spotlight. Please include the bench saddler’s name and business name too.
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