Apprentices and trainees competed against each other in 3 Society of Master Saddlers’ competitions at BETA International.
In the first competition on Sunday 16 February, 4 apprentices from the Saddlery Training Centre crafted a leather foal slip of their own design. Lois Wybraniec won and Eloise Caisley came second.
“It is wonderful to win the competition and I have very much enjoyed being at BETA International,” said Lois.
“I spent 6 hours making the foal slip, concentrating very carefully on the quality of the stitching. I will now be able to buy a new splitting machine with my prize-money.”
Second year students from Capel Manor College competed against each other in the second competition on Monday 17 February, making a pair of cheek pieces to the level 3 specification. The top award went to Sophie Bassett with Martina Dawson coming second.
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“I was definitely shocked but very delighted to win. The standard was really high and I made sure I concentrated on quality rather than speed,” said Sophie.
In the final competition on Tuesday 18 February, first year students from Capel Manor College and the Saddlery Training Centre battled it out, making a pair of stirrup leathers. Corrin King won with Victoria Barnett coming second.
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“I am over the moon to win and I will be spending my winnings on some new tools for college,” said Corrin.
“I have always loved horses and making things out of leather, since I was little I used to make miniature tack out of old leather wallets for the model horses I collected.”
Saddlers Laurence Pearman and Chris Taylor judged the competition and the prize money was donated by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers.
