I developed an interest in the 1960’s as I had a passion to fly falcons and was also very keen on horse riding. I had made falconry equipment for this life long passion of mine and to help pay for riding lessons I would start repairing simple stitching items such as stirrup leathers . On leaving school my father persuaded me that there was no future in falconry, and as I had been making gloves, hoods etc out of leather, I was guided into the world of saddlery. I took on an apprenticeship at the local saddler on 2nd September 1974 by Desmond and Wilfred Cox and my mentor, Richard Hearn of Cox The Saddler
In 1978 we, as a team built a set of show harness for Bob Gales “Anchor Pat ” which appeared in the Lord Mayors Show in London.
In 1979 I was privileged to be asked by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers and Mr Richard Ling of the Livery Company to make a presentation show Weymouth Bridle which was presented to Princess Anne, at Ardingley Show ground in Sussex later that year.
I stayed there for ten years and in 1981 the business was taken over by the Heistercamp family .
In 1984 , I reached a natural crossroads in my life and had to decide where my future lay and I chose saddlery. I moved to Bermuda to be the only saddler/ harness maker on the island. On my return to the U.K. 1985 I set up workshop in the Chiltern Hills and took on an apprentice, Helen Bachelor.
In 1992 I moved to Cambridgeshire and worked at various locations
In 1995, Unfortunately I had a house fire that destroyed most of my stock and damaged my original saddler / harness makers certificate and therefore had to apply for a second which was duly delivered by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers.
In 1996 I returned for a brief period to work again at Cox The Saddler which had changed hands several times , (and in the hands of the now current owners the Jeffries) and become a limited company.
In 2007, I moved to Saskatchewan, Canada where I have established my current business of saddle repairs, saddle fitting clinics and custom saddles and bridlework.
