Letters from Lucy : What a busy month

Hi Everyone,

February has been a super busy month for me, and it all kicked off with my annual trip into London to attend the National Saddlery Competition at Saddlers Hall. After a year off it was amazing to see so many entries and such a high standard of work.

I decided it was finally time to be brave and enter the open bridle class (I’ve started making entries for it in previous years but chickened out every time!) The brief this year was a double bridle for dressage and, as usual, despite trying to get organised I had left it to the very last minute to make.
Stressed and short of time, I decided it was best to stick within my comfort zone and make an anatomical headpiece and a curved crystal bead browband in styles I’ve made a number of times before. However, when it came to the noseband I decided it was time to test myself with my first attempt at a square raise. Unfortunately, when I sat down to make the noseband, I quickly realised I had no idea what I was doing and frantically phoned a friend for help.

Well let’s just say I owe that friend a drink because somehow, I managed to come away with 3rd place and a premium award for that bridle!

The “presidents choice” class is always my favourite and this year it did not disappoint. The theme for the class is chosen each year by the president of the Society of Master Saddlers, and this year the entries had to be made from recycled/re-used leather. I am so passionate about sustainability and reducing waste, so I was super excited to see what people would be able to come up with.

I was blown away by people’s creativity; there was a stool made from old stirrup leathers, a doorstop made from an old leather jacket and the winning piece, a turtle made from old saddles. It’s left me feeling inspired, and when I next have a free afternoon, I’ll have to have a play with some of the derelict pieces of tack I’ve got sitting in the corner of my workshop.

Bye for now,
Lucy 😊