Master saddler Michael Marren is in shock after almost all his stock — £60,000 worth of saddles and bridles — was stolen from him.
Thieves hit the saddler’s Cheshire home at around 10pm last Saturday, 18 September.
The equipment, which includes serial-numbered Stubben saddles and easily recognisable handmade bridles, was taken from a van outside Marren’s house.
The kit was packed into the van ready for transfer to Arena UK early the next morning. Thieves drilled out the lock and took everything.
Michael Marren has been in the saddlery business for 40 years.
His partner Madeleine Swombow said: “We’re in shock. Michael is absolutely gutted.
“We don’t think the equipment was insured because it wasn’t actually in transit. It was almost all of Michael’s stock. How do you recover from something like that?”
Serial numbers for Stubben saddles are found under the flap by the girth straps.
Madeleine Swombow and Michael Marren ask that anyone who is offered a Stubben saddle or any top-quality jumping saddles and bridlework from an uncertain source, or anyone who has any information on the crime, should call the police.
• Call DS Glyn Leech at Crewe CID on 0845 458 0000, or alternatively Crimestoppers (in confidence) on 0800 555111.
