Celebrating the best bench saddlers and craftspeople…

ETN|BENCH SADDLER OF THE MONTH

Celebrating the best bench saddlers and craftspeople…

This award, presented in conjunction with the Society of Master Saddlers (SMS), recognises those whose good practice is making a difference in the saddlery industry.

Helen Reader’s bench skills have earned her many awards.

ETN BENCH SADDLER OF THE MONTH: HELEN READER

NOMINATED BY: Richard Miller, Heniarth Stud, Ferryside, Carmarthenshire, who says: “Very rarely do you come across an individual whose passion and dedication for their chosen craft is so infectious, Helen is one of those people. She produces some exquisite bespoke work. As a breeder of Welsh ponies, it’s important that my animals are turned out correctly for the show ring; the quality of their bridlework is often commented on. Nothing is ever too much trouble for Helen who is a true craftswoman.”

ABOUT Helen Reader: Helen runs HR Saddlery, Carmarthenshire and is an SMS Master Saddler, Master Bridle Maker, Master Harness Maker, Registered Master Saddle Fitter and Registered Qualified Bridle Fitter.

Her first pony was a grey Welsh mountain mare called Solo. “When Solo’s saddle needed a new seat, we visited our local Master Saddler’s workshop and he let me help choose the hide and showed me each stage of the repair,” Helen recalls. “After that, I was hooked.”

Before taking up saddlery full-time, Helen studied equestrian business management at Berkshire College of Agriculture and took her BHSAI.

Two years as a working pupil at Earlsway Farm Dressage Training Centre in Suffolk followed. “This gave me real insight into how saddlery items were used within a competition yard environment,” she says.

Helen’s current career began with an HND in saddlery technology at Cordwainers College, then apprenticeship with Pointings Saddlery in Bath during which she attended the Saddlery Training Centre (STC) for week-long courses. Return visits to the STC have enabled her to further her bench skills, including learning side saddle techniques.

Helen’s dream commission is a rolled double bridle in black leather. She enjoys refurbishing family heirlooms, giving each item a new lease of life for generations to come. “I have a lovely collection of old saddlery tools, including many pricking irons, some of which I use, including a favouriteantique one to produce the finest stitching,” she says.

Helen has a life-long love for horses and competes successfully with her two greys.

Unusual calls on Helen’s bench skills have included refurbishing the steering wheel for a racing yacht “which hardly fitted into my workshop” and a signal pad for the Didcot rail museum. Last year, she produced a set of twelve bespoke leather door stays for an oil refinery.

The item of which Helen is most proud is an endurance riding bridle incorporating red patent leather. Something of a revelation when it first appeared on the SMS stand at BETA International some years ago, it appears to have set the trend for dual-leather bridle designs favoured by the dressage fraternity.

One of her favourite things is seeing her bridlework out and about.

“I occasionally get asked to judge at local shows and it’s always a nice surprise to go down the line and find one of your bridles in the rosettes!”

Helen also competes and most days, before she heads to her workshop which was built by her father, she exercises her two horses, often on the local beach.

“I love to see my customers when l’m out competing; but it can be an occupational hazard… just as you’re going through your final warm-up before being called into the dressage arena, someone stops you to discuss a new bridle,” she says with a wry smile.

At the end of a long day, Helen relaxes at home with a well-deserved glass of wine in front of the fire.

HOW TO NOMINATE A BENCH SADDLER:

Everyone is invited to nominate bench saddlers they feel deserve to be named ETN Bench Saddler of the Month. Candidates must be members of the SMS and based in the UK or overseas.

To nominate a bench saddler (or more than one), email editor@ equestriantradenews.com and tell us why this person deserves to be put in the spotlight. Please include the bench saddler’s name and business name.

40 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS MARCH 2020 WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM