Horseytalk.net Special Interview
Society of Master Saddlers
National Saddlery Competition a Huge Success
Award Winners
A host of exciting new and established talent was on display at this year's Society of Master Saddlers' National Saddlery Competition held at Saddlers' Hall, London.
Gratefully supported by The Worshipful Company of Saddlers, the competition awards ceremony was followed by an evening reception which attracted many of the leading names from the saddlery and equestrian world.
Society of Master Saddlers' President, Laura Dempsey said: "It is a real honour to be here as president of the Society of Master Saddlers.
The Ideal Saddles team
"Without the fantastic support of the judges and many volunteers involved an event like this would not be possible.
Our role continues to be to support our valued membership worldwide and the national competition is very much the highlight of the year."
Following a host of awards throughout the evening Steven Delaney of Vale Brothers was the delighted winner of the Bruce Emtage Memorial Plate for Best in Show.
The award was made for Steven's entry in the Open Saddle class. Steven's success followed his two wins last year and he said: "I am delighted to win the award.
The Royal Mews team Catrien Coppens, Kirsty Thomson and Frances Roche
It is always a great honour to take home a prize at the national competition which gets better and better every year."
The Les Coker Millennium Trophy for the Best Entry by an Apprentice was awarded to Kirsty Thomson of The Royal Mews for her driving bridle entered into the open harness class.
Ellie Tomlinson took home the Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy, presented by John Batchelor, for the best bridlework for her breast girth entered in the intermediate bridle class.
Line Hansen with Capel Manor College students
The Side Saddle Association Trophy for the best side saddle went to a delighted James Adair who received the award from Liz Turner of the Side Saddle Association.
Said James: "This is the first side-saddle I have ever made. I was encouraged by Mark Romain of the Saddlery Training Centre to have a go, so to win is just fantastic."
It took Northern Ireland-based James six weeks to craft the side-saddle and he was a very popular winner.
The President's Choice class with the subject, a bag, box or case suitable for a country pursuit brought forward some excellent pieces of leatherwork.
First seen at this year's BETA International the eventual winning entry of a gun-slip was the work of Master Saddler Catherine Baker from Wiltshire.
Said Catherine: "It is wonderful to win at the national competition.
A lot of effort and hard work goes into putting forward an entry but a win makes it all worthwhile."
The Society of Master Saddlers (UK) Ltd National Saddlery Competitions 2016 Results
The majority of the prize fund has been generously provided by The Worshipful Company of Saddlers with Abbey England, Osborne Tools and Mrs Hurst sponsoring the trainee bridle and saddle classes.
Class 1 Master and Apprentice An In-hand stallion show bridle and Foal Slip
1st: Frances Roche and Kirsty Thomson
Sponsored by Mrs Hurst
Premiums: Frances Roche, Kirsty Thomson, Julia Balfour and Corrin King
Class 2a Trainee Bridlework A Headcollar conforming to Level 2 City & Guilds Skills Assessment
specification for those in year's one and two of their training
1st prize Sponsored by Osborne Tools
1st: Katherine Bebbington-Moore, Capel Manor College
2nd: Freya Weller, Capel Manor College
3rd: Samantha Coulman, Capel Manor College
4th: Amy Baldwin, Capel Manor College
Premiums: Katherine Bebbington-Moore, Freya Weller, Samantha Coulman, Amy Baldwin, Lucy Ellis, Rebecca Simmons, Nike Baruwa.
Class 2b Show Double Bridle conforming to Level 3 City and Guilds Skills Assessment
specification for those in year's three and four of their training.
Sponsored by Abbey England
1st: Corrin King, S Milner & Son
2nd: Hannah Mustoe, The Tack Haven
3rd: Victoria Barnett, Bearhouse Saddlers
Class 3a Trainee Saddle – Rural
Any type or size of Leather Saddle (must be suitable to meet the criteria of C&G Level 2 or 3 Saddle specification)
Sponsored by Mrs Hurst
1st: Corrin King, S Milner & Son
2nd: Michèle Christensen, Gardehusar Regiment
3rd: Julia Balfour, Chobham Rider 4th: George Hills, The Saddle Man
Class 3b Trainee Saddle – Trade
Any type or size of Leather Saddle (must be suitable to meet the criteria of C&G Level 2 or 3 Saddle specification)
1st: Daryll Sykes, Ideal Saddle Company
2nd: Paul Jones, Ideal Saddle Company
Premiums: Daryll Sykes and Paul Jones
Class 4 Intermediate Bridle - no more than 7 years in the trade Breast Plate or Breast Girth
1st: Ellie Tomlinson
2nd: Lois Wybraniec
3rd: Abby Nowell
Premiums: Ellie Tomlinson, Lois Wybraniec and Abby Nowell
Class 5 Special Open Class A Grakle Noseband
1st: Line Hansen
2nd: Karley Brown
3rd: Catrien Coppens
Premiums: Line Hansen and Karley Brown
Class 6 Small Business Saddle Makers
Open to those making no more than 10 saddles a year. Any design of English astride leather saddle
1st: Penny Dickson
Premiums: Penny Dickson
Class 7 Trade / Company Saddle Any design of leather English Astride Saddle
1st: Andrew French, Ideal Saddle Company
Premiums: Andrew French, Ideal Saddle Company
Class 8 Open Harness Driving Bridle
1st: Catrien Coppens, Royal Mews
2nd: Frances Roche, Royal Mews
3rd: Kirsty Thomson, Royal Mews
Premiums: Catrien Coppens, Frances Roche, Kirsty Thomson, S/Sgt Godfrey Morris
Class 9 Open Bridle A Dressage Bridle
1st: Lisa Hoskins
2nd: Catherine Baker
3rd: Helen Reader
Premiums: Lisa Hoskins, Catherine Baker, Helen Reader, Kathrine Holm and Karen Schlotter
Class 10 Open Saddle A Dressage Saddle
1st: Steven Delaney, Vale Brothers
2nd: Scott Smith, Ryder Saddlery
3rd: Dennis Townsend, Ryder Saddlery
Premiums: Steven Delaney
Class 11 A Side Saddle
1st: James Adair
2nd: Nicola Watson
3rd: Ingrid Sanders
4th: Helen Reader
Premiums: James Adair, Nicola Watson, Ingrid Sanders and Helen Reader
Class 12 The President's Choice A Bag, Box or Case suitable for a Country Pursuit
1st: Catherine Baker
2nd: Alexendra Irwin
3rd: Helen Leedham
4th: Frances Roche
Premiums: Catherine Baker, Alexendra Irwin, Helen Leedham, Frances Roche, Julia Balfour, Guy Barrett, Carolyn Truss, Mark Bushell, Chris Taylor and Ian Harris
COMPETITION TROPHIES:
The Tony Byrne Memorial Trophy for the best Harness entry by an Apprentice or Trainee was awarded to Kirsty Thomson for her entry 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 Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy for the best bridlework entry was awarded to Ellie Tomlinson for her breast girth entered in the intermediate bridle class, presented by John Batchelor.
The Neil McCarraher Trophy for the most attractive and commercially viable saddle in Class 7 was awarded to Ideal Saddle Company presented by Neil McCarraher
The Side Saddle Association Trophy for the best Side-Saddle Entry was won by James Adair, presented by Liz Turner of the Side-Saddle Association.
The Les Coker Millennium Trophy for best entry by an Apprentice was awarded to Kirsty Thomson for her driving bridle entered in the open harness class.
The Bruce Emtage Memorial Plate for Best in Show was awarded to Steven Delaney of Vale Brothers for his entry in the open saddle Class
Information about the Society of Master Saddlers can be found on the website:
www.mastersaddlers.co.uk or telephone 01449 711642.