Society of Master Saddlers Harness Maker and Master Saddler, Helen Reader and her ride Zennith triumphed at the British Riding Clubs National Championships held in Lincoln.
Based in Carmarthenshire, Helen combines running her own saddlery business, HR Saddlery, with competing her two horses Zennith, (Zen) a nine year old 17hh KWPN Dutch Warmblood, and Tinahely Rocket, (Tinny) a six year old 16.3hh Irish Sports Horse.
Helen and Zen took the Novice 27 Dressage Test at Championships with a hoof perfect test. On her second ride, Tinny, they finished eighth in the Novice 28 Dressage Test.
This was a true rewarded for Helen who spends most days working very early mornings to get her horses ridden and chores completed by 8.30am. She then hits the workshop or is on the road for a day of saddle fitting and often not getting home until 8.30pm in the evening.
Said Helen: “Combining running my own business and finding time to train and compete my horses is a juggling act. I am up early and ride no matter what the weather. Our arena has floodlights and we invested in an excellent rubber strip arena surface which has meant that I have been able to ride and train through the last few hard winters even in sub zero conditions. I often arrive early at my first customer and they are shocked to hear that I mucked out and worked my horses while they were still in bed.”
“I have to book off time in my diary for competitions well in advance and often work weekends and evenings in my workshop to keep on top of my bridlework orders. Being seen out competing is good for my business too, I meet my customers and they appreciate that I understand the saddlery requirements of the different disciplines. In addition to the Riding Club National Championships this year I have also competed Zen at the British Dressage Regionals and Tinny at the British Dressage Petplan Area Festival. Zen is my dressage horse but Tinny was bought for jumping and I have been out and about with him this year jumping at local shows. Next year I am planning to do some serious Working Hunter classes and would love to qualify him for the Horse of The Year Show.”