Hi there friends, How are you? I figured, being as I have had so many new customers and supporters recently, I’d re-introduce myself and the team.
Well actually, there is no team!
Just Me
It’s just me – Clair, The Lady Saddler. I’m the designer, the craftswoman, the bridle fitter, the tea maker, the administrator and the cleaner. AND a whole lot of other roles rolled into one.
It’s just what you do when you become a solopreneur. You become EVERYTHING to EVERYONE and very often you have to juggle solopreneurship with being the mother’ship and an employee too.
Becoming a Saddler
I started to become interested in becoming a Saddler after I undertook as Beginners Leatherwork workshop in April 2015 and a Leather Repairs workshop in August 2015 at Saddlers Den in Southport.
After being on the waiting list for almost six months I was finally accepted onto a Level 2 City and Guilds Bridle Making course at Saddlery Training Centre in Salisbury in early 2016.
During the next three years I completed Level 2 and 3 in Bridle making, Level 2 and 3 in Saddle making as well as additional workshops in Whip making and Side saddle restoration. Qualifying in October in October 2019.
I finally upgraded my Society of Master Saddlers membership to ‘Qualified Saddler’ in August 2020.
QEST Scholar
In November 2020 I won a QEST scholarship to train with a Master Bridle maker and bridle fitter, undertake the SMS qualified bridle fitters course and exam and learn more about bit fitting. I expect to complete this, this year.
What I do now
Nowadays, I specialise in making made to measure bridles and bridle fitting within the four local counties: South Staffordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and The Black Country.
I also make a small collection of equestrian themed gifts and I take on local leather repairs too.
Future Events
In 2023, I am looking to attend more local horse events in order to educate people of correct bridle fitting and offer assessment where possible.
All events I attend will be posted on my events page or you can join my mailing list HERE to be informed directly into your inbox, along with other news, product launches and offers available during the year.
Team Boyden
Oh, and before you go, I totally lied when I said it was just me at The Lady Saddler. I was wrong. I couldn’t do what I do without the unwavering love and support of my family – Team Boyden!
They cheer me on, they pick me up, and they even help me out at the events and equestrian tack sales I do. So, without them you would have a different me.
Join Me
Blimey, this was a longer post than I had planned. If you got this far, you might as well join my mailing list whilst you’re at it. Click on the banner below:
By subscribing you will be the first to know my news, first to see new product launches and the only ones to have the best offers going. You even get a discount code just for signing up to spend in the Gift shop.
Whatever you decide, I hope you have a wonderful day and most of all, I wish you a very happy, health and prosperous new year.
Until next time, I send you big hugs
Clair x
