Posted: 13th February 2019 | Back to news feed
THIS year’s Society of Master Saddlers’ National Saddlery Competition at Saddlers’ Hall, London proved as popular as ever with a host of prestigious awards presented in front of esteemed guests and industry professionals.
The Worshipful Company of Saddlers’ Prime Warden, James Welch, presented awards to the successful apprentices currently undertaking the Millennium Apprenticeship Scheme, those who had completed their training and also apprentices on the Government Saddlery Apprenticeship Scheme.
At the start of the evening Society of Master Saddlers’ President, Chris Taylor said: “The national competition is always a highlight in the calendar for so many, a chance to showcase fabulous work, socialise and catch up.
“Without the hard work of the many people who enter, there would be no competition and 2019 is very much a bumper year of entries and exhibits.
“The event is very much a celebration of our craft and in the Hall tonight are many truly talented people.
“It is that drive and passion that keeps British saddlery at its best and everyone should be proud of their achievements.
“Apprentices and students you are very important to the survival of the industry and the skills involved.”
Gratefully supported by The Worshipful Company of Saddlers, Abbey England, H Webber and Osborne Tools, Cribbs Carriage Masters, Tandy Leather, The Worshipful Company of Coach and Coach Harness Makers 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 Colin Potts of Vale Brothers was the delighted winner of the Bruce Emtage Memorial Plate for Best in Show. The award was made for his entry in the Open Dressage Saddle Class.
The Les Coker Millennium Trophy for the Best Entry by an Apprentice was awarded to Rachel Lok for her headcollar entered in the Master and Apprentice class.
While it was saddlery student Grace Willsmer in winning form who took home the Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy, for the best bridlework for her entry of a Western bridle in the special open bridle class
The Side Saddle Association Trophy for the best side saddle went to a delighted Nicola Watson.
Line Hansen took home the Ken Lyndon Dykes Perpertual Trophy as the winner of The President’s Choice class, with the subject ‘any leather item incorporating traditional hand stitched Box Work techniques’ for her red leather Clarinet Case.
Society of Master Saddlers
2019 National Saddlery Competition Results
Class 1 Master and Apprentice - A Head Collar made by the Apprentice and Flat Lead Rein made by the Master
1st: Apprentice Rachel Lok and Master Janet Legg
Trainee Bridlework
Class 2a A Snaffle Bridle conforming to Level 2 City and Guilds Skills Assessment specification for those in years 1 and 2. Sponsored by Abbey England and Musto
1st: Andrew Hawkins, Capel Manor College
2nd: Gudrun-Kirstine Gadegaard Thuesen, Capel Manor College
3rd: Zoe Brown, Capel Manor College
Class 2b In Hand Stallion Show Bridle conforming to Level 3 City and Guilds Skills Assessment specification. For those in years 3 and 4. Sponsored by Tandy Leather and Musto
1st: Lucy Ellis, Saddlery Training Centre
2nd: Amy Baldwin, Saddlers Den and Saddlery Training Centre
3rd: Katja Noergaard
Class 2c Trainee Harness. Sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Coach and Coach Harness Makers Crupper and Dock conforming to Level 2 City and Guilds Skills Assessment specification.
1st: Gudrun-Kirstine Gadegaard Thuesen, Capel Manor College
2nd: Lucy Ellis, Saddlery Training Centre
3rd: Zoe Hurst, Capel Manor College
Class 3a Trainee Saddle (Rural) for those with no more than 4 years in the trade.With sponsorship from H Webber in conjunction with Osborne Tools
Any type or size of Leather Saddle (must be suitable to meet the criteria of C&G Level 2 or 3 Saddle specification)
1st: Becky Simmons, Saddlery Training Centre
2nd: Katja Noergaard, Saddlery Training Centre
3rd: Rudy Llewellyn, Saddlery Training Centre
Class 3b Trainee Saddle (Trade) for those with no more than 4 years in the trade
Any type or size of leather astride Saddle (must be manufactured on a wooden tree)
1st: Luke Dunphy, Ideal Saddle Company
2nd: Jack Moseley, Frank Baines Saddlery
3rd: Marcus Lugsdin, Ideal & WRS Company
Class 4 Intermediate Bridle
A Pair of Leather Rolled Reins
1st: Kirsty Thomson
2nd: Julia Veen, Chobham Rider
3rd: Rachel Lok, Nutwell Saddlery
Class 5 Special Open Class
A Pair of Dressage Stirrup Leathers
1st: Christer Dahlberg
2nd: Lily Spackman, S E S Saddlery
3rd: Kathrine Holm
Class 6 Small Business Saddle Makers
Any design of English astride leather Saddle
1st: Michele Christensen
2nd: Stephanie Rubbo
3rd Stephanie Bullock
Class 7 Trade / Company Saddle
Any design of leather English astride Saddle
1st: Frank Baines Saddlery
Class 8 Open Harness
A leather Harness Bridle suitable for Exercise or Work. Sponsored by Cribbs Carriage Masters
1st: Catrien Coppens
2nd: Samuel Belasco, Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
3rd: Corrin King
Class 9 Open Bridle
Dressage Snaffle Bridle
1st: Matthew Payne
2nd: Catherine Baker
3rd: Lisa Hoskins
Class 10 Open Saddle
Dressage Saddle
1st: Colin Potts, Vale Brothers
2nd: Stephen Wragg, Frank Baines Saddlery
3rd: Dennis Townsend, Ryder Saddles
Class 11 A Side Saddle
1st: Nicola Watson
2nd: Coralie Chung
Class 12 Open Class
Any Western Style Riding Bridle
1st: Grace Willsmer
2nd: Kathrine Holm
3rd: Martina Dawson
Class 13 The President’s Choice
Box Work
1st: Line Hansen for the clarinet case
2nd: Helen Leedham for the bowling ball bag
3rd: Julie Yates for the flask case
COMPETITION TROPHIES:
The Tony Byrne Memorial Trophy for the best Harness entry by an Apprentice or Trainee was awarded to Corrin King 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 Ken Lyndon Dykes Perpetual Trophy for best entry in the President’s Choice class was awarded to Line Hansen for the Clarinet Case.
The Neil McCarraher Trophy for the most attractive and commercially viable saddle in Class 7 was awarded to Frank Baines Saddlery presented by Neil McCarraher
The Side Saddle Association Trophy for the best Side-Saddle Entry was won by Nicola Watson.
The Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy for the best bridlework entry was awarded to Grace Willsmer for her entry in the Western bridle class, presented by John Batchelor.
The Les Coker Millennium Trophy for best entry by an Apprentice was awarded to Rachel Lok for her headcollar entered in the Master and Apprentice class.
The Bruce Emtage Memorial Plate for Best in Show was awarded to Colin Potts for his entry in the Open Saddle Class
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