Posted: 10th February 2014 | Back to news feed
WITH a huge increase in entries and high-level craftsmanship on show, this year’s Society of Master Saddlers’ National Saddlery Competition was described as one of the best ever.
Held 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.
Society of Master Saddlers’ President, Helen Dart said: “The standard of work on display has been outstanding and without doubt improves year on year.
“We are the world leaders in saddlery skills and manufacture and this year’s competition really has showcased some excellent work.”
Following a host of awards throughout the evening, Dennis Townsend of Ryder Saddlery was the delighted winner of the Bruce Emtage Memorial Plate for Best in Show. The award was made for Dennis’ entry in the Open Saddle class.
Said Dennis: “I am delighted that the saddle was so well received. To win the Best in Show award was just fantastic.”
Dennis made a dressage saddle with a larger knee roll which really caught the judges’ attention.
“It took me two days to make the saddle and all the time you are thinking the craftsmanship has to be to the very highest standard.”
To round off an excellent evening for Walsall-based Ryder Saddlery, Mike Roper took the honours in the Trade/Company Saddle category after his eventing saddle proved the most popular choice with the judges.
The Les Coker Millennium Trophy for the Best Entry by an Apprentice went to Ellie Tomlinson for her double bridle entered in the trainee bridle class.
Ellie is based at Equestrian World in Henley on Thames and trains at the Saddlery Training Centre.
A winner of three classes Ellie said: “I have had a fantastic evening and can’t believe it. The night really has been very special and to go home with so many awards is brilliant.”
Frances Kelly’s entry in the Open Bridle Class saw her take home the Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy for the best piece of bridlework.
While the Side Saddle Association Trophy for the best side saddle went to a delighted Tiffany Parkinson who has more than 26 years’ experience as a saddler but only 18-months experience when it comes to making side saddles.
A popular class with the brief of making ‘Any Leather Fashion Item or Accessory’ was the President’s Choice section which included The Society of Master Saddlers’ President, Helen Dart, as one of the judges.
Said Helen: “The class was wonderful and with so many good entries it was very difficult to make a decision.
“We really had to scrutinise the entries to find our final places. The craftsmanship and attention to detail was outstanding.”
Winner of the President’s Choice was Line Hansen, who made a ‘Build a Bag’.
Said Line: “I wanted to create something versatile and truly different and was delighted the bag proved such a hit with the judges.”
The Tony Russell Memorial Trophy for the best harness entry was awarded to Catrien Coppens for her entry in the Open Harness Class.
This was the eighth time Catrien took home the trophy but she was as pleased as ever to receive the award.
“I really enjoy my work and the craftsmanship involved. It is wonderful to go home with a first prize and trophy,” said Catrien.
The Society of Master Saddlers (UK) Ltd National Saddlery Competitions
2014 Results:
Class 1 Master and Apprentice A dog collar and lead.
Winners: Isobel Russell and Joanna Heard.
Premiums: Isobel Russell and Joanna Heard and apprentices Tanya Baldwin, Eloise Caisley and Julia Balfour.
Class 2a Trainee Bridlework – Years 1 & 2
A Snaffle Bridle conforming to Level 2 City & Guilds Skills Assessment specification.
Sponsored by Osborne Tools
1st: Amy Murray, Capel Manor College
2nd: Kirsty Thomson, Capel Manor College
3rd: Martina Dawson, Capel Manor College
Premiums: Amy Murray, Kirsty Thomson, Martina Dawson, Grace Denny
Class 2b Trainee Bridlework – Years 3 & 4
A Show Double Bridle conforming to Level 3 City and Guilds Skills Assessment specification.
Sponsored by Abbey England
1st: Ellie Tomlinson, Equestrian World & Saddlery Training Centre (STC)
2nd: Ruth Wyatt, The King’s Troop RHA & STC
3rd: Christopher Gransbury & STC
Premiums: Ellie Tomlinson, Ruth Wyatt, Christopher Gransbury and Nina Ball
Class 3 Trainee Saddle
Any type or size of Leather Saddle conforming to the criteria of C&G Level 2 or 3 Saddle specification
1st: Anna Bamford, Cirencester Saddlers & STC
2nd: Victoria Sheehy, STC
3rd: Tina Madsen, STC
Premiums: Anna Bamford
Class 4 Intermediate Bridle
Any type or size of Leather Headcollar
1st: Ellie Tomlinson, Equestrian World
2nd: Abby Nowell, Saddlers Den
3rd: Joanna Heard, Cirencester Saddlers
Premiums: Ellie Tomlinson
Class 5 Special Open Class
A Clincher Link Browband (straight and non-padded)
1st: Ellie Tomlinson, Equestrian World
2nd: Lisa Hoskins
3rd: Louise Palmer, Saddlers’ Den
4th: Helen Reader
Premiums: Ellie Tomlinson, Lisa Hoskins, Louise Palmer, Helen Reader, Linsey Ellis, Chris Gransbury, Kathrine Holm, Laura Kitchiner and Joanna Heard.
Class 6 Small Business Saddle Makers
Any design of English astride leather saddle
1st: Jan Guldborg
2nd: Tim James
3rd: Pamela Foesch
Premiums: Jan Guldborg and Tim James
Class 7 Trade / Company Saddle
Any design of leather English Astride Saddle
Winner: Mike Roper, Ryder Saddlery
Premiums: Mike Roper, Colin Potts of E Jeffries, Steve Delaney of Vale Brothers, Andrew Hewitson of Jabez Cliff and Patrick Keane of Patrick Saddlery
Class 8 Open Harness
A Crupper and Dock
1st: Catrien Coppens
2nd: Frances Kelly
3rd: Chris Gransbury
Premiums: Catrien Coppens, Frances Kelly and Chris Gransbury
Class 9 Open Bridle
A Pony Show Double Bridle with Ribbon Browband
1st: Frances Kelly
2nd: Nic Bailey, E Jeffries & Sons
3rd: Carolyn Truss
Premiums: Frances Kelly, Nic Bailey, Carolyn Truss, Helen Reader, Lynsey Ellis
Class 10 Open Saddle
Any design of leather Dressage Saddle
1st: Dennis Townsend, Ryder Saddlery
2nd: Lee Jones, Patrick Saddlery
3rd: Patrick Keane, Patrick Saddlery
Premiums: Dennis Townsend, Lee Jones, Patrick Keane, Andrew Hastilow of Hastilow Competition Saddles and Les Nolan of Patrick Saddlery
Class 11 A Side Saddle
1st: Tiffany Parkinson, STC
2nd: Penny Dickson
3rd: Patrick Keane, Patrick Saddlery
Premiums: Tiffany Parkinson, Penny Dickson, Patrick Keane, Rob Jenkins of Malvern Saddlery and Nicola Watson
Class 12 The President’s Choice
Any Leather Fashion Item or Accessory
1st: Line Hansen
2nd: Mary Wing To
3rd: Shirley Ball, E Jeffries & Sons
Premiums: Line Hansen, Mary Wing To, Shirley Ball, Elaine Waters, Claire Barnett and Helen Leedham
COMPETITION TROPHIES:
The Neil McCarraher Trophy for the most attractive and commercially viable saddle in the trade class was awarded to Ryder Saddlery
The Tony Byrne Memorial Trophy for the best Harness entry by an Apprentice or Trainee was awarded to Christopher Gransbury for his 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 Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy for the best bridlework entry was awarded to Frances Kelly for herentry in the open bridle class.
The Side Saddle Association Trophy for the best side saddle entry was awarded to Tiffany Parkinson.
The Les Coker Millennium Trophy for the best entry by an Apprentice was awarded to Ellie Tomlinson for her double bridle entered in the trainee bridle class.
On occasion the judges present a Judge’s Special Award when an item in the competition is considered to be particularly unusual or innovative. This year it was awarded to ‘Build a Bag’ made by Line Hansen for the President’s choice class.
The Bruce Emtage Memorial Plate for Best in Show was awarded to Dennis Townsend for his saddle entered in the open saddle class.
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