Saddlers Company & Saddlers Hall

25/11/2025

The World Horse Welfare Conference: Through the horse’s eyes delivered one message loud and clear - Welfare begins with understanding the horse’s experience.

MEP Hilde Vautmans confirmed the European Parliament is listening to the British equestrian sector — but rising costs threaten to push more horses and donkeys into hardship.

We heard that horses:
• are sentient beings with rich emotions
• need movement, forage and friends
• communicate their feelings
• think ahead, but don’t plan ahead

Dr Saad reminded us that 50 million donkeys support 600 million people worldwide, yet many carry well over safe limits. Education saves lives.

Pippa Funnell MBE shared her lifelong commitment to “seeing the world through their eyes.”

Rick Hester challenged us to rethink stereotypes as environmental problems, not animal faults.

Sam Tibbits brought it home: cooperative care works. Say yes to exploration, choice, and genuine partnership.

It was a thought-provoking day, and a reminder that every decision we make should honour the emotional lives of equids everywhere.

World Horse Welfare

21/11/2025

We’re delighted to welcome Jo Byrne as the new CEO of the Society of Master Saddlers.

We look forward to continuing our shared work to champion craft skills, promote our trade, protect standards, and help horses and riders benefit from well-fitted, welfare-centred saddlery.

Wishing Jo every success as she steps into this important role.

We’re delighted to announce that Jo Byrne joined The Society as our new CEO on Monday 3rd November.

Jo joins us from her role as a Development Officer with British Dressage (North & East) and brings a wealth of operational and strategic expertise from her 30-year policing career in West Midlands and South Yorkshire Police, where she retired as Assistant Chief Constable.

Jo will be a tremendous asset to The Society. Not only does she deeply understand the sport, with competition horses in training with International Dressage Rider Hannah Esberger Hancock and a small breeding programme of her own, she also has strong family links to the Walsall saddlery industry, with an aunt who worked in the trade and a grandmother who handstitched bridlework.

Her passion for equestrianism, combined with her leadership experience, will help guide The Society into its next chapter, bringing the craft of saddlery manufacture and fitting and its vital connection to horse welfare and rider safety to the fore.

18/11/2025

14/11/2025

BETA has provided full conference recordings from their valuable two day conference.

If you couldn't make it and would like to hear more about bits, bridles and the horse's mouth, plus saddle fitting, weight distribution and design, visit the link in their comments.

Following the event, we've received overwhelming positive feedback from delegates who highlighted the high quality of the presentations and the relevance of the scientific research shared

Missed a Moment? Access the Full Two Days of Expert Content!

You can now secure access to the full conference recordings of both days—a resource packed with valuable, cutting-edge knowledge on equine performance and welfare.

Day 1: Making Equitation a BIT Better (Focused on bits, bridles, and the horse's mouth)

Day 2: Helping Equitation to SIT Better (Focused on saddle fitting, weight distribution, and design)

Don't let these essential insights slip away—review the latest science, and ensure your business stays at the forefront of the equestrian world!
Link in the comment>>>

Thank you to all sponsors and exhibitors for making the BETA Bits, Bridles, and Saddlery Conference 2025 a success!
The Worshipful Company of Loriners
Saddlers Company & Saddlers Hall , BLISS OF LONDON - Saddle makers of distinction Neue Schule Ltd , The Society of Master Saddlers Zebra Products and SMART Saddles

11/11/2025

Do you know what these are in the Walsall Leather Skills Centre post? You may, especially I you watched the recent BBC Antiques Roadshow show. Perhaps you have similar squirrelled away…?

As a leather worker do you have any ‘leather curio’ displayed with pride or lurking in the workshop, shed or a drawer?

Did you watch BBC 1’s BBC Antiques Roadshow (2 November 2025)? At the very end Fiona Bruce held up an antique item made from leather.

Fiona was holding a beautiful traditional horse, hoof boot. Linked to the venue Hill of Tarvit Mansion & Garden NTS in Fife, the purpose of the boot was to limit damage of working horse hooves on the turf of its unique Hickory golf greens.

The boot, designed to be applied over a hoof, had a thick leather sole and thinner leather covering the wall of the hoof – done up at the top, with a strap, around the coronet band.

Now we know items made from leather and looked after, last. The boot from the Hill of Tarvit was gleaming, in a condition it could be popped on and used today.

It's been discovered one of the team has a much smaller full set - hiding in a bag in their garage. Gifted by family, when clearing a family property, used by a small equine possibly when mowing the lawn.

Retrieved for the picture, they are awaiting a thorough clean up - with the plan of being framed for displayed.

So, this got us thinking, what do you have in your collection?

We would love it if you’d share a picture of any leather curio you have.

If you know the history, or could include why your item s special to you, it would be great to know.

Now off to the workshop to make a start reviving them.

The Society of Master Saddlers Saddlers Company & Saddlers Hall

10/11/2025

🎉🇬🇧 The Saddlers’ Company proudly took part in the historic Lady Mayor’s Show, celebrating Dame Susan Langley DBE, the City’s first ever Lady Mayor Parade.

Prime Warden Ed Bullen, Beadle Keith Marsh, Key Warden Mark Romain and Freeman Issi Hodges IR Bridles joined the parade alongside City St George’s, University of London, with many Company members cheering them on from the crowds.

The atmosphere was electric — from the vibrant Urdang creative arts students, to the stirring sounds of bagpipes and drums, the parade was a celebration of British heritage, community, and pageantry.

Dating back to the early 13th century, this procession travels from the City to Westminster, bringing together livery companies, charities, businesses, and armed forces units in a proud display of tradition and unity.

The feeling of community continued, when after the parade, members, staff, and families gathered at Saddlers’ Hall for a buffet lunch — including Line Hansen, Saddlery Tutor, Capel Manor College, who attended with her niece.
A memorable day of history, music, and fellowship! 👏✨




City St George’s, University of London
Capel Manor College

05/11/2025

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29/10/2025

Saddlers’ Company is proud to be involved in supporting BETA’s new Bits, Bridling and Saddlery Conference this week.

This brilliant event brought together bit, bridle, and saddle specialists, leather fitters, academics in applied fields, manufacturers, and other equestrian professionals. It was ideal for riders, equestrian professionals and all in the saddlery and lorinery trade.

The impactful and wide ranging programme ranged from;
▪️‘Ethics in Riding: How you can play your part’ by Prof. Madeleine Campbell, University of Nottingham to
▪️‘Nosebands and the use of the Gauge by Dr Victoria Lewis, Hartpury University, to
▪️‘The Saddler Fitter’ Perspective by Mark Fisher, The Society of Master Saddlers.

A key take away is; shared expertise, openess and curiosity, and communication are paramount to take us all forward in the interest of the horse.

The work on display on the Saddlers stand is by Frances Roche.

The Worshipful Company of Loriners British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA)

27/10/2025

BETA Bits, Bridles & Saddlery Conference 2025 NEW - starts tomorrow - 28th and 29th October 2025, at Holywell Park Conference Centre, Loughborough University Campus.

Follow this link to view the comprehensive Conference Programme.
https://beta-uk.org/conferences/

Outline:
▪️28th October
Lorinery - Horse bits and bridles
Making Equitation a BIT Better
A day for riders, equestrian professionals and all in the saddlery and lorinery trade

▪️29th October
Saddlery – Saddles and saddle fitting saddles
Helping Equitation to SIT Better

📢 Thank You to The Worshipful Company of Saddlers, Saddlers Company & Saddlers Hall - gold sponsor of the BETA Bitting, Bridles & Saddlery Conference 2025 on 28-29 October!

The Saddlers’ Company, one of London’s ancient Livery Companies, is a grant-making body championing horse welfare, access to saddlery skills training, and a thriving saddlery sector.

Through the Equine Fitters Council, we work with fellow Livery Companies, the Loriners and Coach and Coach Harness Makers, to provide voluntary regulation and to support excellence in equine fitting.

23/10/2025

Less than a week to go to this Conference.

ONE WEEK TO GO! ⏰ Don't miss the BETA Bits, Bridles & Saddlery Conference 2025!
Join us October 28th-29th at the Holywell Conference Centre, Loughborough University, for two days focused on tack and equine welfare.
Online tickets are also available.

Hear from stars like Richard Davison, Dr. Hilary Clayton, and Gillian Higgins (Horses Inside Out). CPD points are available (BHS, SMS, BD).

Need a discount? We offer a range of discounts for BETA, SMS, BHS, BD members, students, and more!
➡️ Contact the BETA office directly for discount details before booking.

Thank you to our sponsors:
The Worshipful Company of Loriners
Saddlers Company & Saddlers Hall
Neue Schule Ltd
BLISS OF LONDON - Saddle makers of distinction
The Society of Master Saddlers
Zebra Products a distributor of Sprenger
SMART Saddles

🔗 Book now: www.bit.ly/4jdxI0u 🔗 Full Programme: www.beta-uk.org/conferences/
Photo credit: The Society of Master Saddlers

BETAConference

20/10/2025

Yesterday, Prime Warden Ed Bullen proudly attended the annual Trafalgar Day Parade in Trafalgar Square, where Sea Cadets from across the UK, and even a visiting contingent from Bermuda, came together to mark this historic occasion.

Despite the occasional downpour, the spirit, discipline, and talent on display were outstanding. From traditional naval dances to military bands and precision marching, these impressive young people showcased everything that makes the Sea Cadets so special - all made possible by the dedicated adult volunteers who give their time so generously.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin inspected the cadets and took the salute. Wreaths were laid at Nelson’s Column, and a moving reading of Nelson’s Prayer by POC Grace from the Bournemouth Unit served as a poignant reminder of the significance of the Battle of Trafalgar.

Saddlers’ Company is proud to support the Sea Cadets. Events like these highlight the incredible role organisations like the Sea Cadets play in helping young people thrive, learn, and lead.

Sea Cadets

20/10/2025

Could this Bits, Bridles and Saddlery Conference be for you?

📢 BETA Bitting, Bridles & Saddlery Conference 2025 Speaker Spotlight! 🐎

We're thrilled to introduce another incredible speaker joining us at the conference on October 28th & 29th at Loughborough University: Roly Owers, Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare !

Roly will be talking about: "Welfare within Riding – Our role in influencing change."

With his extensive experience, Roly is perfectly placed to discuss this vital topic. He qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Cambridge University and has been Chief Executive of the charity World Horse Welfare since 2008.

Roly plays an active role in supporting the horse-human relationship globally, leading World Horse Welfare’s work with governments and institutions, including the WOAH, FAO, and United Nations. He also advises sport regulators like the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC), and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on equine welfare.
Currently, Roly is Treasurer of the World Federation for Animals and a Board member of the European Horse Network. In the UK, he chairs the Equine Disease Coalition, is a Director of both British Equestrian and the British Horse Council, and Treasurer of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA).

Don't miss his crucial insights on how we can all influence positive change for equine welfare!
________________________________________
Conference Highlights:
• Day 1: Making Equitation a BIT Better (Bitting & Bridles)
• Day 2: Helping Equitation to SIT Better (Saddles & Accessories)
• Hear from other leading experts like Olympic rider Richard Davison and biomechanics guru Dr. Hilary Clayton.
• Conference Dinner on Oct 28th with an exclusive audience with Richard Davison.
• Hotel Discounts & BETA Member Discounts available.
• CPD Points for BHS and Society of Master Saddlers.
________________________________________

Book your tickets (and dinner) via Eventbrite- link in the comments
Full programme here on our website

Thank you to our sponsors:
The Worshipful Company of Loriners
Saddlers Company & Saddlers Hall
Neue Schule Ltd
BLISS OF LONDON - Saddle makers of distinction
The Society of Master Saddlers
Zebra Products distributor of Sprenger
SMART Saddles