Improving standards, high-level craftsmanship and attention to detail were the order of the day at this year’s Society of Master Saddlers’ (SMS) National Saddlery Competition. Society of Master Saddlers’ National Saddlery Competition 2013 results:
Prize winners and representatives from the SMS and Saddlers’ Company enjoyed a wonderful evening at Saddlers’ Hall.
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eld at Saddlers’ Hall, London and 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. Celebrity judge for the occasion was London Paralympic dressage triple gold medallist, Sophie Christiansen. “As a rider, I’ve learned a lot from the day and what to look for in a saddle. I have very much enjoyed the awards and being a part of the national competition,” she said. Following a host of awards throughout the evening, Lee Jones of Patrick Saddlery was the delighted winner of the Bruce Emtage Memorial Plate for Best in Show. The award was made for Lee’s entry in the Open Saddle class. “Today has been brilliant,” he said. “We always support the competition and really enjoy the challenge of making different products for the various classes. The job is still very rewarding and there is always room for improvement and trying out something new.” The Les Coker Millennium Trophy for the Best Entry by an Apprentice went to Tina Madsen in the trainee saddle class. Tina is based in Denmark, being apprenticed with SMS Master Saddler member Jan Guldborg, and is currently training at the Saddlery Training Centre is
Salisbury. “This is the first year I have entered the competition and I couldn’t be more pleased. It is brilliant to win and feels very special,” she said. Lisa Hoskin’s entry in the Open Bridle Class saw her take home the Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy for the best piece of bridlework . “I am delighted to win the award, and also surprised. The entries were to a very high standard so I am very, very pleased with the win,” said Lisa. A popular class with the brief of making ‘Any Leather Container’ was the President’s Choice section which included SMS President Laurence Pearman as one of the judges. “The class was wonderful and with so many good entries it was very difficult to make a decision,” he said. “The craftsmanship and attention to detail was outstanding.” Winner of the President’s Choice was Master Saddler Frances Kelly who made a document case. The Tony Russell Memorial Trophy for the best harness entry was awarded to Jennifer Roy for her entry in the Open Harness Class. Based in Fife, Scotland, Master Saddler and Master Harness Maker Jennifer has been entering the competition since 2002. “I really enjoy my work and the craftsmanship involved. It is wonderful to go home with a first prize and trophy,” she said.
26 MARCH 2013 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS
CLASS 1 Master & Apprentice: A Noseband and Browband Noseband made by the apprentice and Brow Band by the Master Saddler. Winners: Joanna Heard (Apprentice) and Isobel Russell (Master) Premium Awards: Isobel Russell Joanna Heard (Apprentice) Left and Isobel Russell (Master)
CLASS 2 President’s Choice: Any Leather Container. First: Frances Kelly, Individual Member Second: Bryan Galloway, Houghton Saddlery Third: Helen Leedham, Individual Member Fourth: Tiffany Parkinson, Individual Member Premium Awards: Frances Kelly, Bryan Galloway, Helen Leedham, Tiffany Parkinson, Mary Wing To & Jeanette Hutchinson Class 3 Open Saddle Any design of leather English Astride Saddle First: Lee Jones, Patrick Saddlery Second: Dennis Townsend, Ryder Saddlery Third: Patrick Keane, Patrick Saddlery Premium Awards: Lee Jones and Dennis Townsend Class 4A Trade Saddle: General Purpose Saddle. First: Lee Jones, Patrick Saddlery Premium Award: Lee Jones and Steven Delaney of Vale Brothers Lee Jones with Paul Farmar Master of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers
Class 4 B Trade Trainee Saddle: Any style of English astride leather saddle First: Paul Jones, Ideal Saddle Company Class 5 Small Business saddle makers who manufacture no more than six saddles a year. Any design of English astride leather saddle. First: Helen Leedham, Individual Member Second: Tim James, Individual Member Third: Jan Guldborg, Individual Member Class 6 Special Open Class – Pair of Laced Reins. First: Susan Elizabeth Slade, Individual Member Second: Anna Bamford, Cirencester Saddlers Third: Carolyn Truss, Individual Member Premium Awards: Susan Slade, Anna Bamford, Carolyn Truss, Jeanette Hutchinson, Mark Hargreaves & Matthew Payne. Highly Commended: Gill Campbell and Kathrine Bog Holm www.equestriantradenews.com