Pressure mapping with Saddlekind

Another year of Society of Master saddlers membership, look for the badge to ensure you engage a suitably qualified person.

🏆 Is Your Equine Fitter Simply the Best? 🏆

It is time to recognise the experts who ensure the comfort and performance of our horses! Nominations are now open for the Equine Fitter Award (Saddlery, Bits, and Bridles).

This award, sponsored by the Equine Fitters Directory aims to honour saddle, bridle, and bit fitters who go the extra mile to provide a high level of competence and support for their customers. At the heart of the BETAs are a commitment to quality and high standards, and this category celebrates those professionals who uphold these values in the field.

Who can nominate? Nominations are made by consumers who have used a fitter’s services within the last year.

Who is eligible? You can nominate any independent or employed fitter, regardless of whether they are a BETA member or a non-member.

Make sure your nomination is submitted by 9 July 2026.
Link in the comments >>>

The award will be presented at the prestigious BETA Gala Dinner on Sunday, 27th September 2026, held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. It promises to be a fantastic evening featuring a three-course dinner and live music.

Help us celebrate the dedicated professionals who keep our horses comfortable and safe. Head to the BETA website to nominate your fitter today!

A group photo of all of today’s National Saddlery Competition winners.
Such well deserved wins following an exceptionally strong field of entries. It’s been a pleasure to see the depth of talent and craftsmanship that continues to define British saddlery.

We’ve been absolutely delighted (and if we are honest, a little shocked!) to see how many people were keen to watch and follow what was happening at the competition. It was lovely to feel that level of interest and enthusiasm on the day.

This year was very much a TEST RUN for filming, and we’ve learned a huge amount from it. The acoustics in the room and the background noise weren’t ideal (they were awful!), but it’s helped us understand exactly what we can improve for next time.

Next year, we’re planning to film the competition entries the day before, chatting through them in a quieter, more relaxed setting. We’ll then live stream the awards presentation itself, and we’ll be investing in a proper podium microphone so the sound quality really matches the moment — without having to film in a room with challenging acoustics.

Thank you so much for all the kind messages and support we’ve received from around the world, including as far away as Australia. We genuinely appreciate every one, and it’s made us realise just how much members enjoy seeing the competition shared in this way.

We’re already making plans and taking everything we’ve learned to ensure that next year is even better and beautifully polished.

In the meantime we have lots more videos coming from today- we recorded some in a quieter room and they’re all uploading over the next few hours/days.

Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas # # #

Classroom day

These last couple of weeks I’ve learnt it really does take an army of people to get a horse to a show 🙈

Super proud of Felice at her first regionals. On paper, the day wasn’t great but for personal gain, it was fantastic. Lots of ‘firsts’ mixed with probably the worst prep I’ve ever had leading up to a show and it only being our 4th show together we somehow made it and she still put her best hoof forward and had such an educational day 💕

To my army, thank you, I couldn’t do it without you🩶
Sue McMahon Dressage
Saddle Kind
Tui Isabella & Koari
Deutrom Horse Transport Ltd (Sam & Connor)
Gorgia Lisi-Newman
Robin Compton
Tom Smith
John Searle & Jane Johnson

🌟 Nominate the best! 🌟 It's time to recognise the shining stars of equine fitting for the 2025 Equine Fitter of the Year Award! 🏆 Sponsored by the Equine Fitters Directory, this is your chance to celebrate those who truly enhance your horse's well-being.

Know a saddle, bridle, or bit fitter who goes above and beyond? 🐴✨ Let them know they're appreciated! Nominations are open to all fitters, BETA members and non-members!

👉 Nominate now! Exceptional service, expertise, and dedication deserve recognition.
⏳ Deadline: 16/06/2025

Click the link to nominate!https://bit.ly/4hx7NAf Let's celebrate equine fitting excellence!