Biography, Qualifications and Awards
With over two decades of experience in the saddlery industry, my journey began in the late 1990s with a foundation in equestrian knowledge through helping at a local riding school and the Pony Club. My formal education in the craft commenced with NVQs in Stud Management and Horse Husbandry, followed by comprehensive training in saddlery through various City & Guilds qualifications and a Higher National Diploma in Saddlery Technology achieved at Capel Manor College, Enfield.
In 2003, I started as an apprentice at Stroud Saddlery in Gloucestershire. I have entered and been successful in the Annual National Saddle, Bridle and Harness Competition, including the prestigious Les Coker Millennium Trophy for best entry by an apprentice in 2004. and the Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy for Best Bridle Work entry twice, most recently in 2021.
Becoming a Master Saddler in 2008, I served multiple terms as an Executive Member and have been invited to judge at the National Saddlery Competition several times. I received the Prince Phillip Medal Highly Commended Certificate from City & Guilds presented by HRH Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace in 2013. This certificate is presented to a nominee for The Prince Phillip Medal and recognises an individual's outstanding achievement while following the City and Guilds path, beginning or furthering their career with City and Guilds qualifications.
Since 2014, I have operated as a sole trader under IR Bridles, specializing in bridle design and craftsmanship. I have mentored Kelly Jones of KellyJ Leather during her QEST Scholarship from 2019 to 2021.
Most recently, I qualified as a City & Guilds/SMS Qualified Bridle Fitter in 2022 and obtaining a Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement in 2023. I am currently part of the lecturing and assessing team for the Society of Master Saddlers Assured Certificate in Bridle Fitting.
Away from IR Bridles, I enjoy working with a friend's retired event horse. I balance my professional life with caring for my daughter and continuously working on innovations in saddlery design, with a particular focus on bridles.
List of qualifications
2001 City & Guilds Skills Test Level 1 in Saddle, Bridle and Harness
2002 City & Guilds Sills Test Level 2 in Saddle, Bridle and Harness
2002 Cordwainer's Diploma in Saddlery
2003 Higher National Diploma in Saddlery Technology
2004 City & Guilds Skills Test Level 3 Bridle
2005 Successfully completed my Millennium and Modern Apprenticeships
2005 City & Guilds Skills Test Level 3 in Saddle and Harness
2022 City & Guilds/Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Bridle Fitter
2023 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
Awards
The National Saddle, Bridle and Harness Competition is a key annual event in the saddler's calendar. Held at Saddler's Hall in London, there are classes covering everything from trainee pieces, side saddles, manufacturer saddles to state harness.
I have attended the competition since the beginning of my training and have won many prizes. The classes generally have 1st, 2nd and 3rd placings and any entry which gains over a certain percentage of marks is also achieves a premium award. Some classes have conditions of experience level for entry, others such as the Open classes are able to be entered by any level of maker.
2004 First Place and Premium Award for Apprentice double bridle and Les Coker Memorial Trophy for best bridle entry by an apprentice.
2005 Third Prize Apprentice Stallion In Hand Bridle.
2006 Third Prize Apprentice Astride Saddle
2007 Second Prize and Premium Award Intermediate Headcollar
2009 First Prize and Premium Award for Open Bridle Suitable for Cross Country and Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy for best bridle work entry
2011, 2013 and 2014 First Prize and Premium Award Master and Apprentice Class as the Master
2020 Second Prize and Premium Award Open Double Bridle Suitable for Showing
2021 First Prize and Premium Award Miniature Class Rolled Double Bridle and Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy for best bridle work entry
2023 Premium Award Open Bridle suitable for Dressage
2025 Second Prize and Premium Award Miniature Class Stallion In Hand Show Set
The Society of Master Saddlers used to hold a saddle and bridle making competition throughout the three days of the British Equestrian Trade Association Trade Fair. The challenge was for the saddle makers to assemble and finish a saddle and the bridle makers to make a bridle from scratch before the end of the fair, judged throughout the fair and one winner for each competition announced at the end. I participated in all three competitions and was honoured to be named winner in the 2007 and 2011 competitions.
In 2003, I started as an apprentice at Stroud Saddlery in Gloucestershire. I have entered and been successful in the Annual National Saddle, Bridle and Harness Competition, including the prestigious Les Coker Millennium Trophy for best entry by an apprentice in 2004. and the Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy for Best Bridle Work entry twice, most recently in 2021.
Becoming a Master Saddler in 2008, I served multiple terms as an Executive Member and have been invited to judge at the National Saddlery Competition several times. I received the Prince Phillip Medal Highly Commended Certificate from City & Guilds presented by HRH Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace in 2013. This certificate is presented to a nominee for The Prince Phillip Medal and recognises an individual's outstanding achievement while following the City and Guilds path, beginning or furthering their career with City and Guilds qualifications.
Since 2014, I have operated as a sole trader under IR Bridles, specializing in bridle design and craftsmanship. I have mentored Kelly Jones of KellyJ Leather during her QEST Scholarship from 2019 to 2021.
Most recently, I qualified as a City & Guilds/SMS Qualified Bridle Fitter in 2022 and obtaining a Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement in 2023. I am currently part of the lecturing and assessing team for the Society of Master Saddlers Assured Certificate in Bridle Fitting.
Away from IR Bridles, I enjoy working with a friend's retired event horse. I balance my professional life with caring for my daughter and continuously working on innovations in saddlery design, with a particular focus on bridles.
List of qualifications
2001 City & Guilds Skills Test Level 1 in Saddle, Bridle and Harness
2002 City & Guilds Sills Test Level 2 in Saddle, Bridle and Harness
2002 Cordwainer's Diploma in Saddlery
2003 Higher National Diploma in Saddlery Technology
2004 City & Guilds Skills Test Level 3 Bridle
2005 Successfully completed my Millennium and Modern Apprenticeships
2005 City & Guilds Skills Test Level 3 in Saddle and Harness
2022 City & Guilds/Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Bridle Fitter
2023 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
Awards
The National Saddle, Bridle and Harness Competition is a key annual event in the saddler's calendar. Held at Saddler's Hall in London, there are classes covering everything from trainee pieces, side saddles, manufacturer saddles to state harness.
I have attended the competition since the beginning of my training and have won many prizes. The classes generally have 1st, 2nd and 3rd placings and any entry which gains over a certain percentage of marks is also achieves a premium award. Some classes have conditions of experience level for entry, others such as the Open classes are able to be entered by any level of maker.
2004 First Place and Premium Award for Apprentice double bridle and Les Coker Memorial Trophy for best bridle entry by an apprentice.
2005 Third Prize Apprentice Stallion In Hand Bridle.
2006 Third Prize Apprentice Astride Saddle
2007 Second Prize and Premium Award Intermediate Headcollar
2009 First Prize and Premium Award for Open Bridle Suitable for Cross Country and Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy for best bridle work entry
2011, 2013 and 2014 First Prize and Premium Award Master and Apprentice Class as the Master
2020 Second Prize and Premium Award Open Double Bridle Suitable for Showing
2021 First Prize and Premium Award Miniature Class Rolled Double Bridle and Alf Batchelor Memorial Trophy for best bridle work entry
2023 Premium Award Open Bridle suitable for Dressage
2025 Second Prize and Premium Award Miniature Class Stallion In Hand Show Set
The Society of Master Saddlers used to hold a saddle and bridle making competition throughout the three days of the British Equestrian Trade Association Trade Fair. The challenge was for the saddle makers to assemble and finish a saddle and the bridle makers to make a bridle from scratch before the end of the fair, judged throughout the fair and one winner for each competition announced at the end. I participated in all three competitions and was honoured to be named winner in the 2007 and 2011 competitions.
