BUSINESS PERSONINTHE SPOTLIGHT
IN THESPOTLIGHT CHN catchesupwith Owner of
BUSINESSPERSON Rimells Saddlery,Georgina Chapman
DO YOU COME FROM A HORSEY BACKGROUND?
Iwas introduced to riding at an early age by my Mum, who had ridden with my Great Aunt as achild. Auntie Patwas always encouraging me to keep it up and to ask for aponyatevery opportunity-Ievenasked the tooth fairy! My parentsgaveinwhen I was5and we hada ponyshare,followedby aloan pony. Not having ahorseyfamily,we muddled through the early yearswith help and advice. The Pony Club wasgreat, and Ihave had some brilliant trainersand mentors. They became even moreimportant as my horses became my lifeand Istarted competing, but we have alwayslearned by trial and error!
WHY DID YOU BECOME ASADDLER?
Ialwayshad alove forsaddlery and leatherwork. At an early age Itook agreat interestinitand lovedour saddle fittingswith MikeNorton, as well as visiting Mikeand SueatBrowns in OxfordCoveredMarket, Iwould happily spend all daythere!Anaccident six yearsago has left me with an unpleasant rare nervecondition, leaving me in agony24/7and with aneedtoretrain. Saddlery had alwaysbeen an interest, with Mike being an early inspiration, but it wasthe need forspecialised saddlery to get me back in the saddle which firstbrought me to Rimells, where Imet RobWilson, the then owner.I then started researching saddlery and what it would take to retrain. The SocietyofMasterSaddlershas two brilliant flow diagrams showing the pathways, apprenticeship,and the CordwainersDiploma at Capel Manor; Icompleted the diploma and then Ithrew myself in at the deep end, but Ilove it Iamsoglad Ichanged paths!
TELL US ABOUT THE SHOP
Istill remember the dayI firsthopped into the shop; it wasamazing to find atraditional Saddlery! It is an Aladdin’sCavehousing everything from hatsand clothing to saddles and leatherwork. In October 2020 Iwas lucky enough to be able to take overthe
business.It has been astrange6months, probably one of the mostnerve-wracking timestotakeovera business,but Rimells has been herefor over40 years, and Ifelt it wasimportant to keep it going. We have newstock, do customwork and repairs which areanintegral part of the business.We will do our best whether it be an essentialrepair or an emotional restoration. We also work with an SMS registeredSaddle Fitter and have both second hand and newsaddlesand will work hardto find something to suit horse and rider.
56 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER2021 Forthe latest
newsvisitwww.centralhorsenews.co.uk
HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK?
Away from work?What doesthatmean?!I wasraised by two workaholicsand have always followedintheir footsteps, even moresonow!I try to balancework with seeing friends and riding, but my disabilitydoesnot alwaysallowmeto. I canhavebad days whereevengoing downstairs to the kitchen canfeel likeclimbing Everest! Ifully admit Iamalso asun worshippeand have always lovedtraveland adventures,seeing newplaces, trying newthings… Idread nothing morethan having nothing to do unless Iamonholiday!
WHATISYOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT OWNING ASADDLERYSHOP?
Mostdefinitely our customers, and the horses theyown and ride.I also enjoybeing abit of ageek, keepinguptodatewith all the latest research on horsesand saddlery which is becoming ever moreimportant to our customers and their horses. Afterall the better we understand them, the better their experience canbeand the better the welfareofthe horses.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU DISLIKE ABOUT RUNNING ASADDLERY?
Not really,but if Ihad to pick it would be paperwork; although essential, I find it very dull, Ipreferbeing creativeand knowing that what
youare doing canhelp acustomer or animal!
DO YOU HAVE ANY HORSES OF YOUR OWN?
Yes, Ihavea 16yr old 17.1hh grey Hanoverian X, who Ihavehad sincehewas three and ahalf. He has been ahuge challenge his whole life! However,hehas been worth every curse word and injury! Sincemyaccident, he has excelled and is VERYprotectiveofme. Ithink Ihaveonly ever spent 6weeks without ahorse,and that being after losing my mare whilstatUni… that’s how Kevlandedwith us! Irecently lostmy18.1hh 11 yr.old who waspart of the family the minutehe wasborn. We areall still recovering from that, it wasthe single hardest decision Ihaveeverhad to makebut it wasthe only right decision. Having Rimells has got me through and kept me going!
LexMerrick
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