Posted: 21st February 2017 | Back to news feed
HRH The Princess Royal was the guest of honour at this year’s prestigious Society of Master Saddlers’ National Saddlery Competition awards at Saddlers’ Hall, London.
As Master of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, HRH The Princess Royal presented awards to the successful apprentices currently undertaking the Millennium Apprenticeship Scheme, those who had completed their training and also apprentices on the Saddlery Apprenticeship Scheme.
HRH The Princess Royal then handed over to the Prime Warden, John Robinson to present the competition awards.
Said John: “All that is good in British saddlery is here in the Hall tonight and I am also excited as I am an entrant as well, although I didn’t win!”
Added Society of Master Saddlers’ Vice President, Sue Norton: “The event gives us the opportunity to showcase the saddlery available today. The world of saddlery is very much alive and kicking.”
Gratefully supported by The Worshipful Company of Saddlers, Abbey England, Osborne Tools, Cribbs Carriage Masters, Patrick Burns and Musto, the competition awards ceremony was followed by an evening reception which attracted many of the leading names from the saddlery and equestrian world.
Following a host of awards throughout the evening Catrien Coppens of The Royal Mews was the delighted winner of the Bruce Emtage Memorial Plate for Best in Show. The award was made for her miniature set of harness.
Said Catrien: “I am delighted to win the award. It is always a great honour to take home a prize at the national competition. I have had the idea to make a miniature set of harness for a long time and this year the opportunity was ripe for having a go. There are 15 stitches to the inch but the many hours of work are so worthwhile when you are announced as the winner.”
The Les Coker Millennium Trophy for the Best Entry by an Apprentice was awarded to Kirsty Thomson of The Royal Mews for her harness breeching entered in the open harness class.
While Karley Brown took home the Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy, for the best bridlework for her entry in the open bridle class.
The Side Saddle Association Trophy for the best side saddle went to a delighted Susan Slade, while The President’s Choice class, with the subject ‘any leather item with an aviation theme’ was awarded to Tiffany Parkinson for her Red Fokker. The theme was chosen by the President of The Society of Master Saddlers’ Ken Lyndon-Dykes who is well known for his passion for the world of aviation.
During the awards evening a Society of Master Saddlers’ Fellowship was awarded to a delighted Laurence Pearman.
Said Society of Master Saddlers’ Chief Executive Hazel Morley during the presentation: “This goes to a man who has saddlery running through his veins. He is one of only a handful of people who have served as President on two occasions, in 2004 and 2012.
“Laurence is a Liveryman of the Saddlers’ Company, Chairman of the South West Region of the SMS and gives up his time to sit on many committees to help develop saddlery and saddle fitting.
“He is a great supporter of the apprenticeships having trained many of them over the years. He regularly lectures and assesses for the Society’s saddle fitting course as well as assisting with the saddlery skill assessments and flocking qualification.”
Society of Master Saddlers
2017 National Saddlery Competition Results
Class 1 Master and Apprentice
Hunting breastplate and Running Martingale attachment
1st: Frances Roche and Kirsty Thomson of The Royal Mews
Class 2a Trainee Bridlework
A Snaffle Bridle conforming to Level 2 City & Guilds Skills Assessment specification for those in year's one and two of their training.
1st: Naomi Rodgers, The Princess Royal College of Animal Management & Saddlery, Capel Manor
2nd: Katja Noergaard, Capel Manor
3rd: Siri Stoklund, Capel Manor
Class 2b An In-hand Stallion ShowBridle conforming to Level 3 City and Guilds Skills Assessment specification for those in year's three and four of their training.
1st: Kirsty Thomson, Royal Mews
2nd: Amy Baldwin, Saddlers Den and Saddlery Training Centre
3rd: Stephanie Rubbo
Class 3a Trainee Saddle – Rural for those with no more than 4 years experience.
Any type or size of Leather Saddle to C&G specifications
1st: Julia Balfour, Chobham Rider & Saddlery Training Centre
2nd: Corrin King, S Milner & Son and Saddlery Training Centre
3rd: Lydia Newsome, Cirencester Saddlers and Saddlery
Training Centre
Class 3b Trainee Saddle – Trade for those with no more than 4 years experience.
Any type or size of Leather Astride Saddle
1st: John Armstrong, Vale Brother
Class 4 Intermediate Bridle for those with not more than 7 years’ experience.
A Pair of Plaited Reins
1st: Lois Wybraniec
2nd: Kirsty Thomson, Royal Mews
3rd: Amy Baldwin, Saddlers Den
Class 5 Special Open Class
A Butterfly Lead Rein
1st: Line Hansen
2nd: Karley Brown
3rd: Kirsty Thomson, Royal Mews
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: Amanda Wilson
2nd: Penny Dickson
3rd: Joshua Morris-Siegel
Class 7 Trade / Company Saddle
Any design of leather English Astride Saddle
1st: Vale Brothers, Steven Delaney
Class 8 Open Harness
A Full Breeching
1st: Louise Palmer
2nd: Kirsty Thomson, The Royal Mews
3rd: Carolyn Truss
Class 9 Open Bridle
A Snaffle Bridle suitable for Show Jumping
1st: Karley Brown
2nd: Samuel Belasco, Household Cavalry Mounted
Regiment
3rd: Helen Reader
Class 10 Open Saddle
A Jumping Saddle
1st: Steven Delaney, Vale Brothers
2nd: Scott Smith, Ryder Saddles
3rd: Andrew Hastilow, Hastilow Competition Saddles
Class 11 A Side Saddle
1st: Susan Slade
2nd: Helen Reader
3rd: Coralie Chung
Class 12 A Miniature piece of Leather Riding or Driving Equipment
1st: Catrien Coppens, Royal Mews for the set of harness
2nd: Corrin King, S Milner & Son for the pack horses
3rd: Mark Hargreaves for the driving bridle
Class 13 The President’s Choice
Any leather item with an Aviation theme
1st: Tiffany Parkinson
2nd: Frances Roche
3rd: Helen Leedham
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 of the miniature set of harness.
The Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy for the best bridlework entry was awarded to Karley Brown for herentry in the open bridle class.
The Neil McCarraher Trophy for the most attractive and commercially viable saddle in Class 7 was awarded to Vale Brothers.
The Side Saddle Association Trophy for the best Side-Saddle Entry was won by Susan Slade.
The Ken Lyndon Dykes Perpetual Trophy for the winner of the President’s Choice was won by Tiffany Parkinson for her entry of the red aeroplane.
The Les Coker Millennium Trophy for best entry by an Apprentice was awarded to Kirsty Thomson for her Harness Breeching entered in the open harness class.
The Bruce Emtage Memorial Plate for Best in Show was awarded to Catrien Coppens for her miniature set of harness.
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