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40 under 40: Meet Kelly Jones

Monday, 20 March 2023

Kelly Jones
Every Monday, we are celebrating one of our 40 under 40 makers.

This week we are talking to Kelly Jones, a Master bridle maker and qualified bridle fitter based in West Sussex. Let's get to know her with our Q&A.


Tell us a bit about what you do?

I’m a master bridle maker and qualified bridle fitter based in Midhurst, West Sussex. I make bespoke made to measure bridles to aid the comfort and performance of the horse.

How did you get into making leather goods?

My Saddle fitter recommend for me to look into saddlery, I looked at instructions to a leatherwork course when I was 16 and have been hooked ever since.

What is your favourite product to make?

I love making rolled bridles, they take a huge amount of skill to make them safely and there is a lot of hand stitching which is my favourite part of my job !


What do you love most about working with leather?

Just how you can turn a flat bit of Bridle leather to a raised Noseband Rolled reins or delicate keepers on every bridle

What are your next goals?

To keep expanding my business and would love to have more bridles internationally, I currently have bridles in Ireland, US Canada and Bermuda. I also dreamt one of my bridles to be on the front cover of horse and hound.

What advice would you give to someone who's thinking about becoming a leather worker or who has just started out?

Practice practice practice!! Particularly in stitching. Try not to rush the process, you will get there in the end.

What does it mean to you to be included in the 40 under 40 list?

I’m very honoured, I do find when I meet customers they think masters have to be old, so they get a shock when I turn up being 27!  You can see how keen and dedicated all 39 other winners are.


How important do you think it is to keep traditional techniques alive in the modern world?

So important, having a bespoke made to measure bridle can really improve a horse's comfort. Being handmade and handstitched I can make a Bridle to suit each individual needs.

What have you done to keep relevant in a digital age?

Social media is so key in the digital age, I have also had 4 brand ambassadors who also help promote my business.
My brand ambassadors are Alicia Hawker 5* event rider, Pip Blain and Milly Dove are dressage riders and my newest member Merkisayre Sea Duble who is a racing Shetland!

What is the biggest challenge to becoming successful in your discipline?

Not trying to rush the process when I was learning, also building up a good client base I get a  lot of  referrals from previous clients as they all love their bridles I made too much.

For more information, please visit www.kellyjleather.co.uk

To join this network of great makers, please follow Kelly's Instagram page HERE