CHN’S BUSINESS PERSON IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Aimee Cayless
Aimee Cayless, is a Society of Master Saddlers Registered Qualified Saddle Fitter and the Midlands representative for Martin Wilkinson Saddlers. She is also the owner of Southam Saddle Ltd.
Do you come from a horsey background?
I came from a non horsey family and started riding at the age of 8. I began helping at the local riding stables and got my first pony aged 13.
When did you start working in the equine business?
I went to Moreton Morrell and gained a BA equine degree and then started working within the equine industry. I worked in Ireland for Sheik Mohammed’s Darley operation breaking Tb yearlings, and then in racing before going to work for Weatherbeeta UK. This was where my interest in saddle design and fitting began.
What are your ambitions?
To further grow my saddlery business alongside running my small breaking and schooling yard. To make the time to actually compete my own horse!
What advice would you give to someone wanting to become a saddle fitter?
My advice would be to get a good grounding in anatomy and physiology alongside equine biomechanics in order to support your saddle fitting. It is very important to understand how the saddle must work in harmony with a dynamic horse.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Working with individuals and their horses and being part of the support team to enable them to fulfill their potential.
Is there anything you don’t like about your job? The wet weather which has been particularly bad this year!
What has really worked for you as a saddler?
I would not be without my trusty iPad that enables me to record all the information I need from client contact forms to invoices on the go, it makes running a small business so much easier and more efficient.
How do you relax after a long day of work? Walking my dog with my partner and children down to the local pub.
How do you juggle your horses with work?
I wouldn’t be without my horses, however, running my own business as well as being a mum makes having time to ride quite challenging. I am lucky to have my horses at home which means I can grab whatever time I can during the day to ride. Unfortunately at the moment this makes finding time for competitions quite tricky!!
What is your typical work day like for you?
Up at 6.45am do the horses, back in at 7.30am to get ready for school, 8.30am do the school run, into the office for 9.15am to do admin and then I get to my first client for around 10am. I then work through with clients until 3pm (except on Wednesdays when I do a late evening) when I pick my son up from school. We are then home to finish admin and then do my horses before teatime!
For more information visit,
www.martinwilkinson.co.uk or
www.southamsaddles.co.uk
28
February/March 2020
For the latest news visit
www.centralhorsenews.co.uk
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