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. 

SMS National Competition 2019

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.

Rachel Lok SMS national comp 2019

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

sms National Comp winners 2019

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