Thinking of England

After three years of being an official saddle fitting trainee with the Society of Master Saddlers, I was feeling more than ready to take my Qualified Saddle Fitter Assessment. (To read a bit about me and my journey to QSF, click here!) I know I was a right pain to the SMS office as I started emailing relentlessly in November 2023 about the Fall 2024 assessment dates. Initially, I was only going to be in England for about two weeks. Then it grew to four, and finally into a full six-week stint. Mom and Patty would join me the first week in England, then I would go on my way to complete the five-week intensive plan I had devised.

A short list of saddle manufacturers is on the list. We chose from our current stockists and sent out emails asking for factory and workshop tours. On our shortlist included Bliss of London, Fairfax Saddles, Lovatt & Ricketts, Frank Baines, and Black Country. We were also able to arrange a tour of the Lariot Europe factory. The three of us saddle-obsessed Americans absolutely fell in love with the leather industry in Walsall. We visited large scale production factories, humble workshops, a tree manufacturer…what could you mean that Walsall isn’t amazing? At the end of my stay in Walsall, I was given the opportunity to work alongside bench saddlers at Black Country. One of them even told me that my reflock was lovely. Maybe it was the accent, but I swooned. Alongside well-wishes for my assessments, I was given a new flocking iron, a good handful of needles, and an aluminum masher.

Flocking Course and Assessment Day with Laurence Pearman of Cirencester Saddlers

The Cotswolds! My favorite place yet. Quaint city center, and lovely sunrises and sunsets. I stayed at the Royal Agricultural University in a room with a view overlooking the countryside. The walk out of campus was a great way to get my steps in before and after standing all day flocking saddles. Due to the generosity of Bliss of London, I was able to source three Loxley saddles for the course. Laurence was incredibly helpful in improving my flocking technique. My reflock speed was increasing without sacrificing quality. I hit a new personal best of five stripflocks in three days. I gained two more flocking irons (made by Laurence himself), but I also broke one of my own irons (oh, and one needle). On my final day at Cirencester Saddlers, I took and passed my flocking assessment. I, of course, cried tears of relief when Chris Taylor told me I had passed both the written and practical.

Workshop Week with Catherine Baker (Master Saddler & Bridle Maker, Registered Qualified Saddle Fitter, and Registered Qualified Bridle Fitter) of CB Saddlery

Back in February, I sent out a few messages to England-based fitters and saddlers recommended to me by Kay Hastilow. One of which was Catherine Baker. She kindly welcomed me into her home and workshop. (She became the SMS President a few weeks prior to my arrival. I was all sorts of nervous, but guys, she’s a totally normal person who also happens to be wicked talented when it comes to bridle making, saddlery, and bridle/saddle fitting) We spent a full day fitting saddles, a day reflocking and doing billets in the workshop, and a full morning solving a saddle slip issue. It was exactly the hands-on practice I needed leading up to my QSF Assessment. 

To put the icing on the cake, she then set me up with some tools and leather to complete my pre-made items for the Level 2 Bridle Making Skills test. There are tricks of the trade that differentiate a Trainee, a Qualified Saddler, and a Master Saddler, and I was learning from a Master this week. She let me use her Knipschield knife, and allowed me to use an awl that belonged to Frances Roche…which on the second or third day of using it I broke the blade. I am happy to say that was the only tool I compromised during my time with CB. While my bridle work techniques improved during the day, I spent the evenings studying for my QSF Assessment which I was to take the following week.

Qualified Saddle Fitters Course and Assessment Day at Moulton College

It was here. The primary reason I was in England. The QSF week. Nervous? Me? No! (Read: Definitely, totally, yes). People I’ve only ever seen in lectures were standing right there in front of me. Helen Reader, Andy Milner, and Mark & Di Fisher were the course leaders for the week. Maybe this is a bit overzealous, but if the SMS was a rock band, these guys were for sure in it. My already lengthy notes grew and grew throughout the three day course. I shoved as much of the knowledge into my brain as possible and read and re-read notes and workbooks each night. I asked all the questions. I felt as many horse’s backs as possible. I felt the fits of as many saddles as I could. I asked more questions. 

I took a mock assessment with Andy Milner and went mute about three minutes into it. He said he’s heard me ask questions and gab on & on all week, but I clammed up during the mock. In big, bold letters, I wrote “TALK” on my hand. I knew my stuff, I had to say it all aloud, and with confidence. Woof. I had just 16 hours to figure that out. Halloween was spooky-scary for many reasons this year, just not the usual ones. 

The morning of the assessment, I was up at 4:30 am. Nerves. I managed my way through the Conformation and Templating portion, feeling iffy. Following that, I had my Materials and Faults, which I felt I knocked out of the park. Onto my GP Saddle Fit. I was loud, I was confident, I said and did all the right things. I came out of that first saddle fit crying tears of relief (again). I was going to do this thing. I was going to nail it. I talked the entire time, was cheerful and bold. I had to do it one more time during my Dressage Saddle Fit. Which was in two and a half hours. 

I started fairly well  for the Dressage Fit, then the power went out – literally, not figuratively. My rider was in black breeches, a black dressage saddle, and black saddle pad. She was comfortable continuing, thank goodness. We carried on. As the sun was setting, the indoor was getting darker and darker. My assessors stopped me about 45 minutes into the assessment, telling me they were happy with what they had seen so far. I finished up with the rider and walked away feeling absolutely despondent. Should I have done XYZ? Should I have done that one thing instead? Would I feel better about it if…? I was totally in my head. I knew I was at the whim of the assessors now. Since I was driving back with Catherine that night, I paced in the parking lot while waiting for her. I called my mom, sister, fellow fitters, friends, anyone who could help me take the focus off the Assessment Day. Catherine walked out of the indoor and I chatted her ears off the entire two and a half hour drive back to Warminster. She was supportive and so helpful while I sliced and diced every aspect of my assessment.

The One Where Julia Goes to Scotland

Catherine was certainly impressed with my six-week plan, but disappointed I did not allot a single day to be touristy. She convinced me to tag along to Scotland to attend The Gathering held by Kay Hastilow. One of my new friends from the flocking course was Scottish, and offered to let me stay at her house if I ever found myself in Scotland. I doubt she anticipated it being so soon! My new Scottish friend graciously allowed me to bunk at her farm in Fife, so I booked my tickets to Edinburgh and I was off to do touristy things. I spent one day in Edinburgh, one day in St. Andrews, and ended in Abernethy for The Gathering. 

Although the SMS assured us we would not get our results for 10-14 days after the assessment, Kay Hastilow was certain we would all be celebrating good news when we were all together. I was checking my email regularly between speakers. Before Catherine gave her SMS update, she told me to check my email. And there it was, my QSF Assessment results. Oh god, oh god. 

“I am very pleased…” *cue squeal*

I immediately started crying. Kay smiled and said she knew exactly what news I had just received. Catherine gave me a big hug and I wiped the tears from my eyes as the group of fitters and saddlers congratulated me. (Yeah guys, it really happened this way!)

Catherine went on to update the room with SMS happenings and I feverishly texted all my people back home to let them know the news. Patty told me to be a QSF for Halloween, and gosh darn it I was, I just didn’t know it at the time. I did the thing. I am finally a QSF. Absolutely high on good news, we began our travel back to England. My time here was not yet complete. 

Back in Warminster, Catherine put me right to work. I finished stitching my Level 2 head collar, and completed the post-production work on both the bridle and headcollar. Again, endlessly stabbing myself with needles, awls, and other pointy bits. I was still loving every second, despite my wicked sore fingers and hands. 

Workshop Week with Andrew Hastilow (Master Saddler, Registered Qualified Saddle Fitter) of Hastilow & Sons, Ltd.

Flashback first: I met Andy in 2023 at the Saddle Level 2 Making Course held by the North American Saddlery School. I was building my first saddle. I chose to do a dark brown seat and pads, walnut skirts and flaps, and a bright white welting line. Under Andy’s instruction, I sewed in the welting to the skirt and seat near perfectly for a beginner. I believe the word he used was “impressive.” 

I got to put my saddler’s hat back on this week, and attempt to be just as impressive. I managed my way to Haslemere. It was a few weeks since I broke something so it was fitting that my suitcase handle broke…oh, and I ran over some poor chap’s feet in the process (I was not traveling light at this point in the trip). Once at Andy’s, I was able to make two sets of knee pads…the first set was okay. I need to be careful about lining up the foam and the leather upper so they can be properly stitched in place. I am pleased to say my second pair made it onto a set of flaps (for me to take home and learn from, not to be used in a riding saddle, although they are perfectly suitable for a saddle). Next on my list was seat and cantle seaming. It was fabulous to pester Andy, Faye, and Gus; to have three people to nag was great when one or the other had their hands full. My seat seaming was coming along well, definitely better than my first try in November 2023. I was able to cut and sew a cantle insert with welting as well. I left equipped with the knowledge to finally finish the knee pads and flaps that I began in November 2023. I should also be able to make stirrup leather keepers/loops featuring a nice bright white welting for my saddle’s flaps. Eventually, I will be able to make the panels for this saddle and complete it entirely.