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Kate's National Saddlery Competition winning side saddle on a black background

Side saddle specialist

Side saddle restoration and making.

Kate is one of very few saddlers in the UK still restoring and building side saddles by hand. In 2025 she won the side saddle class at the National Saddlery Competition.

Join the waiting listSee the winning saddle
A side saddle tree showing the long point and leaping head

Why it's specialist work

Nothing about a side saddle is symmetrical.

Everything about an astride saddle is the same on both sides. A side saddle is different all the way through: the , the points, the seat, even how the girth goes on.

Traditionally every part is stitched by hand, from the flaps to the seat to the quilting on the panels. That's a lot of stitches. Tap the numbers on the photo to see what's what.

Restoration

Giving old saddles another hundred years.

The side saddle skirt before, chewed at the edgeA side saddle skirt after repairBeforeAfter
A chewed skirt, hand stitched at 11 stitches to the inch and sewn back on.
The Owen and Co maker's label inside an old side saddle
An Owen and Co. side saddle: every old saddle carries its maker's story.
A Champion and Wilton side saddle safety bar after cleaning and oiling
A Champion and Wilton safety bar, cleaned, oiled and reassembled. It could save your life one day.
New panels fitted to a little side saddle
Over-flocked panels that had burst their stitches, reset with new linings.
The winning side saddle with the Side Saddle Association Cup and first prize card

First prize, Saddlers' Hall, 2025

The saddle that won the side saddle class.

  • DesignKate's own, in the style of Champion & Wilton
  • TreeNew, made in Walsall, with a Champion & Wilton safety bar
  • PanelsSerge and wool flocked, lined with linen
  • SeatHand-seamed pigskin and doeskin, fully flocked
  • GirthingTwo outside girth straps and one hidden
  • PrizeThe Side Saddle Association Cup

A rider too

Kate rides side saddle herself.

Cross country, point-to-point and hunting, on her own horses. So she knows exactly how a side saddle should feel from the seat, not just the bench.

The Side Saddle Association
Kate riding side saddle through water on a cross country course Kate riding side saddle in a field

Booking now for spring 2027

Join the side saddle waiting list.

Side saddle work is booked well ahead. Tell Kate about your saddle and she'll be in touch with a date and a quote.