'I'm keeping an old tradition alive' - Staffordshire saddle maker impresses industry judges

In her workshop in Eccleshall, she hand-crafts bespoke and custom-made equestrian tack including side saddles, bridles, breastplates and girths as well as belts, dog collars and leads. Kate also restores old leatherwork so that it can continue to be used for many years to come.

Her interest in the craft started from a young age. “I wanted to be a saddler when I left school. I had my first horse when I was 11.

“When I was about 12, I saved up all my pocket money to buy an old saddle from a local shop. I really enjoyed taking it apart to see how it was made. I was fascinated,” she explains.

Kate started as an apprentice saddler in Uttoxeter in 1987 when she was trained in saddlery, bridlework, harness and military police horse saddlery.

In the early 1990s, she changed careers and joined the police, completing 20 years’ service with West Midlands Police and Staffordshire Police, primarily as a traffic officer covering the M6. “I wanted to join the mounted division but both West Midlands and Staffordshire disbanded their units after I joined,” explains Kate. 

After leaving the force, Kate returned to her love of saddlery and qualified as a City & Guilds Level 3 Saddle Maker, City & Guilds level 3 Bridle Maker. She is also working towards her City & Guilds qualifications in harness making, and has attended numerous courses in side saddle building and restoration.

Kate has been interested in side saddles for a long time and has competed in events including cross country and point-to-point riding side saddle.

When she is working on a piece of tack, Kate always puts the horse first and her business’ motto is Tueri Et Protegere Equos (to serve and protect horses), which can also be found in her logo.

Since becoming a member of the Society of Master Saddlers in 2021, she has put her saddlery skills to the test by entering the National Saddlery Competition, hosted by The Worshipful Company of Saddlers at Saddlers’ Hall in London. This year, Kate was awarded first place in the Side Saddle Class of the society’s contest, which is now in its 51st year and attracts skilled artisans from across the UK and abroad. Each entry is meticulously judged on craftsmanship, design, and fitness for purpose. 

Having come second in the same class in last year’s competition, Kate was delighted to win first prize this year and was presented with The Side Saddle Association Cup. 

Her winning saddle was made using traditional techniques and was entirely hand-stitched. It is built on a framework, known as a tree, which was made in Walsall. “There are only a couple of companies in Walsall making side saddle trees because they are so expensive and time consuming to make in comparison to astride saddles and trees,” explains Kate.

The panels are surge and wool flocked and lined with linen. The seat is made from a pig skin and doe skin and is fully flocked.

“Entering the competition is a great way to improve my skills and to keep pushing myself a bit further,” says Kate. “There is a lifetime of learning with saddlery and I’m just scratching the surface. What I find very fulfilling is that it is keeping an old tradition alive.”

Breathing new life into older saddles that need a little TLC is also very rewarding for Kate. “I enjoy seeing how the saddles were made 100 years ago and I always think about the saddler who made them,” she says. 

To see more of Kate’s work, visit www.khsms.co.uk and to find out more about the competition, see www.mastersaddlers.co.uk