BUSINESS PERSON IN THE SPOTLIGHT CHN BUSINESS PERSON
IN THE SPOTLIGHT This issue CHN’s Debbie Dempsey chats with Antonia Wills, Qualified Saddle Fitter
this has been a huge asset – it never breaks down (touch wood!) and we have had shelving designed to create a work surface for all the on- site alterations Idowhen Iamout saddle fitting, as well as space underneath for the accessories (girths, leathers, numnahs etc) that Icarry.
DOYOUCOMEFROMA HORSEY BACKGROUND?
Not really! Mymother was Australian and she rode a local pony as a child, but she was very keen formeto ride in Pony Club and beyond. I started at a riding school aged 7, and soon after hadmyfirst pony on loan – she was a 13.2 ex showpony owned by the late JuneWarren. Weconverted the garages to 2 stables and rented a field which was a mile away through the woods. I used to canter there bareback through the trees using a headcollar instead of a bridle with two ropes as reins and no hat! I hadmyfirst 3 proper horses there – two of which tookmeround Burghley in the early 80’s.
WHENDID YOU START WORKING INTHE EQUINE INDUSTRY?
When Iwas 18, wemoved to Culworth where we had 10 stables and 16 acres of land. I ran a teaching, training and livery business from there for the next 35 years (apart froma 3 year hiatus when Iworked in marketing in Oxford). I bought, produced and sold many event horses, some of which have gone on to 4 star level in theUKand abroad. I became a British Eventing Accredited Trainer and still enjoy teaching and training event riders.
WHATIS YOUR INSPIRATION?
I becameQualified with the Society of Master Saddles in 2004, and withmyteaching and training experience,amnowpassionate about taking a holistic approach to equine welfare and performance. So many factors have to be right to achieve the best fromyour horse – shoeing, teeth, saddle and bridle fit, nutrition, fitness, training – the list goes on, and applies not only to the horse but the rider also.
HOWDOYOU JUGGLE YOUR HORSESWITH RUNNING THEBUSINESS?
I started saddle fitting in the late 1990’s, working for Harley Equestrian, Ken Langford Saddlery and then Derby House, when it took over Olney Saddlery. As Ibecame busier I would ride in the mornings and then head off saddle fitting. I slowly builtmyown reputation and business as well asmystock of saddles, so that asmywork for the shops dwindled,my own customer base increased. I finally gave up the yard in 2015 when Iandmynowhusband moved house. I can nowconcentrate fully on Saddle Fitting and have very little spare time! Iamtotally mobile soamconstantly on the road, and Ido a fair bit of freelance teaching so Ifeel Ihave achieved the right balance.
WHATHASREALLYWORKED FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
I have set about building a huge stock of saddles, aiming to provide customers with plenty of choice, whatever their budget and discipline. Different makes and models of saddles fit different horses and riders, so Iam not tied to any one manufacturer. As Isupply GP’s, Jump, dressage,WHand pony saddles in all the different colours, widths and seat lengths thismeans that Ihave accrued a wide range of saddles! Ialso bought a newvan in 2015 (the first brand newvehicle Ihave ever bought) and
62 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER2018
WHATHASBEENTHETOUGHEST CHALLENGE TODATE?
Undoubtedly losing a lovely young horse back in 2013. He had just won a pre-novice (BE100) event and was starting out at Novice level. He slipped on some concrete and broke his pelvis. I lost bothmyparents around this time, so the following 12 months were very grim and really influencedmydecision to stop eventing and concentrate on saddle fitting.
HOWDOYOU RELAX FROMTHEBUSINESS?
I read. I have a kindle and Itake it with mewherever Igo. I love also going to Fitsteps – it’s like aerobics with Ballroom and Latin dance steps. I’mvery bad at it though as Ihave two left feet!
WHATARETHETOP PRODUCTSTHATYOU COULD NOTLIVEWITHOUT?
Adjustable saddles. More and more manufacturers are producing saddles with adjustable gullet systems, which is very helpful when you are dealing with horses thatmay change shape. The modern designs are very good and some of our top professionals ride in adjustable saddles. I also like the twin sided mesh anti-slip numnahs which work extremely well for horses that throw their saddles to one side, or saddles that slip forwards or backwards.
www.wills-
saddlefitters.co.uk 01865244700
For the latest
newsvisitwww.centralhorsenews.co.uk
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