LEATHERWORK SKILLS STEAL THE SHOW

Full results from the annual SMS National Saddlery Competition.

There were more than 125 entries for this year’s Society of Master Saddlers’ (SMS) National Saddlery Competition, held last Tuesday (4 February).

The annual event saw more than 200 guests gather at Saddlers’ Hall, the home of the Saddlers’ Company.

Judges assessed saddlery items for both aesthetics and functionality across 13 competitive classes.

Admiring the dedication and skill on display, SMS president Catherine Baker said: “Our craft is a traditional one that has been passed down through the generations, with many dedicating their lives to perfecting the techniques needed to create such beautiful pieces of work.

“But the item doesn’t just have to look pretty—it needs to be functional too. It is lovely to see that the comfort of the horse and the functionality of the saddle or bridle for both horse and rider has been given as much consideration as the aesthetics.

“Our members possess remarkable skills, and it is important that we continue to showcase and celebrate their work.”

The evening culminated in a prize-giving ceremony, where the Saddlers’ Company’s Prime Warden Ben Laurie presented awards to this year’s winners.

National Saddlery Competition Results

Class 1 Master and Apprentice - A traditional plain cavesson Snaffle Bridle made by the Apprentice and Plain Reins made by the Master.

1^st: Master Saddler Chris Taylor and Apprentice Gabrielle Mitchley, Saddler’s Den

Trainee Bridlework

Class 2a A Stable Headcollar conforming to Level 2 City and Guilds Skills Assessment specification. Sponsored by Abbey England

1^st: Rosie Smith, King’s Troop RHA

2^nd: Holly Stead, Walsall Leather Skills Centre

3^rd: Jake Mann, Capel Manor College

4^th: Luke Tapsell, Capel Manor College

Premiums: Rosie Smith, Holly Stead and Jake Mann

Class 2b Double Bridle conforming to Level 3 City and Guilds Skills Assessment specification. Sponsored by George Barnsley & Sons

1^st: Tamara Hug, Capel Manor College

2^nd: Emily Perigaud, Saddlery Training Centre

3^rd: Harri Bruce

Premiums: Tamara Hug, Emily Perigaud and Harri Bruce

Class 2c Trainee Harness - A Driving Bridle Face Dropper with metal decoration

Sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Coach and Coach Harness Makers

1^st: Jake Mann, Capel Manor College

2^nd: Roh Wright, Walsall Leather Skills Centre

3^rd: Harri Bruce

4^th: Sophia Stratford, Capel Manor College

Premiums: Jake Mann, Roh Wright, Harri Bruce, Sophia Stratford, Isabel Dudley and Isadora Bowden

Class 3a Trainee Saddle (Rural) - Any type or size of Leather Saddle suitable to meet the criteria of C&G Level 2 or 3 Saddle specification. 2^nd Prize - Sponsored by Osborne Tools

1^st: James Edwards, Acorn Saddlery & Saddlery Training Centre

2^nd: Emily Perigaud, Saddlery Training Centre

3^rd: Rebecca Bowman, Saddlery Training Centre

Class 3b Trainee Saddle (Trade) - Any type or size of Leather Astride Saddle

1^st: Daniel Haycock, Bliss of London Ltd

Premiums: Daniel Haycock

Class 4Intermediate Bridle open to qualified and trainee members only - Any design and size of Drop Noseband

1^st: Katerina Marinkovic

2^nd: Charlotte Cheesman

3^rd: Alyssa Nimmo

4^th: Gudrun Thuesen

Premiums: Katerina Marinkovic, Charlotte Cheesman, Alyssa Nimmo, Gudrun Thuesen and Hattie Crabtree

Class 5 Special Open Class - A pair of Riding Bridle Cheek Pieces

1^st: Stephanie Smith

2^nd: Katerina Marinkovic

3^rd: Roh Wright

Premiums: Stephanie Smith, Katerina Marinkovic, Roh Wright, Katy Warriner, Tamara Hug, Lily Spackman and Christie Farren

Class 6 Small Business Saddle Makers - Any design of English Astride leather saddle

1^st: Joshua Morris-Siegel

2^nd: Shelley Musker Turner

Premiums: Joshua Morris-Siegel

Class 7 Trade / Company Saddle - Any design of leather English Astride Saddle

1^st: Hastilow & Sons

Premiums: Hastilow & Sons, Ideal Saddle Company, Lee Jones Saddlemaker and Bliss of London

Class 8 Open Harness - A Breast Collar suitable for Driving including neck strap. Sponsored by Cribbs Carriage Masters

1^st: Stephanie Smith

2^nd: Mark Bushell

3^rd: Louise Palmer, Saddler’s Den

Premiums: Stephanie Smith

Class 9Open Bridle - A Bridle suitable for Show Jumping or Cross Country

1^st: Lisa Hoskins

2^nd: Frances Roche MVO

3^rd: Catherine Baker

Premiums: Lisa Hoskins, Frances Roche and Catherine Baker

Class 10 Open Saddle - Any design of Astride Saddle

1^st: Spencer Gregory, Ideal and WRS Company Ltd

2^nd: Andrew Hastilow, Hastilow & Sons

3^rd: Nico Edwards, Bliss of London Ltd

4^th: Lee Jones, L A Jones Saddlemaker

4^th: Paul Edwards, Ideal & WRS Company Ltd

Premiums: Spencer Gregory, Andrew Hastilow, Nico Edwards, Lee Jones and Paul Edwards

Class 11 A Side Saddle

1^st: Kate Hardt

2^nd: Christer Dahlberg

3^rd: Julia Duffin

Premiums: Kate Hardt

Class 12 Open Class - A Miniature Piece of Leather Riding, Driving or Schooling Equipment

1^st: Catrien Coppens, State Harness

2^nd: Isobel Russell, In-hand Show Set

3^rd: Helen Reader, Horse Boots

4^th: Lee Jones, Saddle

Premiums: Catrien Coppens, Isobel Russell, Helen Reader, Lee Jones and Frances Roche

Class 13 The President’s Choice - ‘Making a Difference’ Inspired by supporting disability and / or disadvantage

1^st: Helen Leedham (Lap Mounted Grooming Box)

2^nd: Christie Farren (Leather Activity Book)

3^rd: Hattie Crabtree (Braille Blocks)

4^th: Christina Allansdotter (Knee, Ankle and Foot Orthorsis)

Premiums: Helen Leedham, Christie Farren, Hattie Crabtree, Christina Allansdotter, Godfrey Morris MBE, Jocelyn Danby and Frances Roche MVO

COMPETITION TROPHIES

The Tony Byrne Memorial Trophy for the best harness entry by an Apprentice or Trainee was awarded to Jake Mann for his entry in the Trainee Harness class.

The Tony Russell Memorial Trophy for the best harness entry was awarded to Stephanie Smith for her entry in the open harness class.

The Side Saddle Association Trophy for the best side saddle was awarded to Kate Hardt.

The Neil McCarraher trophy for the best Trade Saddle was awarded to Hastilow & Sons.

The Ken Lyndon Dykes Perpetual Trophy for best entry in the President’s Choice class, ‘Making a Difference’ was awarded to Helen Leedham for her Lap Mounted Grooming Box.

The Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy for the best bridlework entry was awarded to Lisa Hoskins for herentry in the open bridle class, presented by John Batchelor.

The Les Coker Millennium Trophy for best entry by an Apprentice was awarded to James Edwards for his saddle entered in the Trainee Saddle class

The Bruce Emtage Memorial Plate for Best in Show was awarded to Hastilow & Sons for Andrew Hastilow’s saddle entered in the Trade Saddle class.