SKILL WINS THROUGH AT NATIONAL SADDLERY COMPETITION

Find out who collected this year’s awards. 

The 2023 Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) National Competition took place at Saddlers’ Hall in London on 6 February.

Judged by leading Master Saddlers, all classes were hotly contested as entrants put forward breath-taking displays of fine leatherwork. 

The competition was back to full strength, following a hiatus due to Covid, with 120 entries in nearly 30 categories. 

The event was hosted by the Saddlers’ Company and run in conjunction with the Company’s new Saddlery Showcase (See New event inspires the next generation of saddlers).

Society of Master Saddlers National Competition Winners 

Class 1 Master and Apprentice    A Cavesson Noseband made by the Apprentice and Plain Browband made by the Master.  

1^st: Master Saddler Sarah Stevens and her Apprentice Charlotte Cheesman

Premiums:  Apprentices Charlotte Cheesman, Tahia Frost, Christie Farren and Gudrun Thuesen and Masters Sarah Stevens, Chris Taylor and Godfrey Morris MBE

Trainee Bridlework  

Class 2a A Stable Headcollar conforming to Level 2 City and Guilds Skills Assessment specification

Sponsored by Abbey England 

1^st: Bonnie Dale, Capel Manor College

2^nd: Harri Bruce, Capel Manor College

3^rd: Filip Lazic, Capel Manor College

4^th: Regina Mitchell

Premiums:   Bonnie Dale, Harri Bruce, Filip Lazic and Regina Mitchell

Class 2b Show Double Bridle conforming to Level 3 City and Guilds Skills Assessment specification

1^st: Charlotte Cheesman, SES Saddlery

2^nd: Gudrun Thuesen, The Saddlery Training Centre and David Dyer Saddles

3^rd: Ruby Knights

Premiums:   Charlotte Cheesman and Gudrun Thuesen

Class 2c A Driving Bridle Browband 

Sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Coach and Coach Harness Makers

1^st: Bonnie Dale, Capel Manor College

2^nd: Harri Bruce, Capel Manor College

3^rd: Gudrun Thuesen, David Dyer Saddles

Premiums:   Bonnie Dale, Harri Bruce, Gudrun Thuesen, Regina Mitchell and Charlotte Cheesman of SES Saddlery

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: Gabrielle Mitchley, Saddlers’ Den & Saddlery Training Centre

2^nd: Shaun Powell, Saddlery Training Centre

3^rd: Tahia Frost, The King’s Troop RHA & Saddlery Training Centre

Premiums:  Gabrielle Mitchley and Shaun Powell

Class 3b Trainee Saddle (Trade)

Any type or size of Leather Astride Saddle 

1^st: Alec Brandwood, Albion Saddlemakers

2^nd: Sam Smith, Albion Saddlemakers

3^rd: Gus Billard, Hastilow & Son

Premiums:  Alec Brandwood, Sam Smith, Gus Billard and Jordan Fluk and Tonishia Lugsdin of Ideal Saddle Company and Nico Edwards of Bliss of London

Class 4 Intermediate Bridle open to qualified and trainee members only

Matching Set of Double Reins for a Showing Bridle

1^st: Hattie Crabtree

2^nd: Charlotte Cheesman, SES Saddlery

3^rd: Kate Hardt

4^th: Stephanie Smith

Premiums:  Hattie Crabtree and Charlotte Cheesman

Class 5 Special Open Class

A Waist Belt

1^st: Lynsey Ellis

2^nd: Katy Warriner

3^rd: Tahia Frost, The King’s Troop RHA

Premiums:  Lynsey Ellis, Katy Warriner, Tahia Frost, Christer Dahlberg, Tiffany Parkinson and Louise Palmer

Class 6 Small Business Saddle Makers

Any design of English Astride leather saddle 

1^st: Faye Williams

2^nd: Kate Hardt

3^rd: Penny Dickson

Premiums:  Faye Williams

Class 7 Trade / Company Saddle

Any design of leather English Astride Saddle

1^st: Ryder Saddles

Premiums:  Ryder Saddles, Hastilow & Sons and Albion Saddlemakers

Class 8 Open Harness

Any Driving or Working Harness Pad / Saddle

Sponsored by Cribbs Carriage Masters

1^st: Catrien Coppens

2^nd: Jenna McCall, The King’s Troop RHA

3^rd: Carolyn Truss

4^th: Louise Palmer, Saddlers’ Den

Premiums:  Catrien Coppens, Jenna McCall, Carolyn Truss & Louise Palmer

Class 9 Open Bridle 

A Double Bridle suitable for Dressage

1^st: Lisa Hoskins

2^nd: Catherine Baker

3^rd: Lucy Ellis

Premiums:  Lisa Hoskins, Catherine Baker, Lucy Ellis, Isobel Russell, Steph Smith, Kelly Jones and Kirsty Thomson

Class 10 Open Saddle

Any design of Dressage Saddle

1^st: Andrew Hastilow, Hastilow & Sons

2^nd: Dan Jones, Albion Saddlemakers

3^rd: Alex Russell, Albion Saddlemakers

Premiums:  Andrew Hastilow, Dan Jones and Alex Russell

Class 11 A Side Saddle 

1^st: Coralie Chung

2^nd: Kitty Jameson

3^rd: Jocelyn Danby

Class 12 Open Class 

Any type of Leather Box / Container

1^st: Line Hansen

2^nd: Catrien Coppens

3^rd: Carolyn Truss

Premiums:  Line Hansen, Catrien Coppens and Carolyn Truss

Class 13 The President’s Choice 

‘Scrapbox to Top Notch’

1^st: Lucy Cushley for her Turtle 

2^nd: Line Hansen for the Shoe carrier and shoes

3^rd: Christie Farren, The Kings Troop RHA for her head and hat

Premiums:  Lucy Cushley, Line Hansen, Christie Farren, Catrien Coppens and Helen Leedham

• A full report with trophy winners appears in the April issue of ETN.