Company & Saddler Profile

HR Saddlery was established in mid 2004 by the proprietor Helen Reader at her family's smallholding just north of Carmarthen, West Wales. HR Saddlery specialises in producing top quality made to measure bridlework for competition. This bespoke service allows customers to purchase a bridle that perfectly fits their horse and is produced in a style of their choice. To fulfil everyday requirements a full range of off the peg bridlework is available. HR Saddlery's bridlework is manufactured at their onsite workshop. It is handstitched for added strength and durability using top quality English leather and fittings.

Helen is member of the Society of Master Saddlers they are "a craft organisation whose aims are to promote and safeguard the training, qualification and standard of work of those trained saddlers who make and repair saddles, bridles, harness and other leatherwork associated with the horse and rider." Helen is both a Master Saddler & Harness Maker and a Registered Qualified Saddle Fitter. She has had eight years experience in the saddlery trade, beginning with a two year Higher National Diploma in Saddlery Technology at Cordwainers College in Hackney, London. Following college she worked for Pointings Saddlery in Bath for four years as the saddler in residence. Whilst at Pointings Saddlery she completed the three year Millennium Apprenticeship Scheme, this included onsite training at The Saddlery Training Centre in Salisbury. Having gained experience and qualifications in the saddlery trade Helen then returned to Wales to start her own business.

SMS National Saddlery Competition 2005
Open Bridlework First Prize Winner

During and since her apprenticeship Helen has entered the Society of Master Saddlers' National Saddlery Competition which is hosted and sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers. This annual event is open to all society members from apprentices to master saddlers, there are a number of classes covering all aspects of the saddlery trade. As an apprentice she won prizes between 2000 and 2003. In 2005 Helen won the Open Bridlework class with a London Tan Polo Bridle; in 2006 she was awarded second in the Open Bridlework class entering a Rolled Double Bridle and second in the Protective Horse Boots class with a set of Tendon and Fetlock Boots. In 1999 prior to commencing her apprenticeship Helen entered the Young Craftsman of the Year Competition, winning both her individual category and the overall title. This annual competition is open to anyone under the age of 21 and is split into four categories metal, wood, ceramics and design & technology.

Helen became involved in saddlery through her passion for horses, she has owned and ridden horses for over twenty years. Still actively riding and competing Helen is a member of Towy Valley Riding Club, she gained a basic grounding of horsemanship through the Pony Club. Representing the Wokingham Branch at Area Level in various disciplines and attaining the Pony Club A Test. Helen attended Berkshire College of Agriculture, where she completed a Diploma in Advanced Equestrian and Business Management and the British Horse Society Preliminary Instructor Qualification. Before specialising in saddlery, Helen sought an insight into the equine industry by spending two years as a working pupil at Earlsway Farm Dressage Training Centre in Suffolk. Gaining valuable experience into the saddlery requirements of an international competition/training yard.