Award winners for the best made saddle 1979, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1993 & 1995

Frank Baines Saddlery is a family firm, members of which have connections with the trade going back almost 150 years. The family business continues the tradition and is renowned world wide for its products and their quality.

This picture shows Frank Baines in the Walsall workshop, showing off the excellent craftsmanship that goes into manufacturing saddles and that can only come with years of practice

The Company have regularly won prestigious competitions such as Best Made Saddle, held by the

Winning 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prize in the Best Made Saddle Competition

Worshipful Company of Saddlers, on no more than seven occasions - certainly more than any other participant and also the best product award at International Trade Fairs such as Spoga and BETA.

By continually receiving awards for excellent manufacture, Frank Baines continues to remain at the forefront of contemporary saddle design on the international stage. Passing on such skills is an art and to recognise this, Frank Baines Saddlery was awarded a national training award in 1991. Frank also became a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Saddle makers, following his appointment as a Freeman of the City of London, and is also proud to be a Past President of the Society of Master Saddlers.

Frank Baines Saddlery have exported to more than twenty different countries throughout the world, achieving praise for his country, his town and his company by winning European Export Awards.

During the Company?s history we are pleased to have had the opportunity to work with the worlds top riders such as Gary Parsonage, Stephen Clarke, Ian Stark, Mary Hanna, Ruth Friend, Polly Stockton, Clive Halsall, Andrew Davies and Lee Williams.

Technology moves on, however, and at the Walsall factory it?s not only tradition that keeps the individually made saddles at the top, There is no production line, each saddler is personally responsible for the quality of his product.

The Company has a major input in developing new ideas, and works closely with innovative designers and up to date technology, using the best of today's resources. The choice of saddle is critical to the harmony of the partnership of horse and rider and so, it follows, is the selection of the saddler.

Page updated 21st June 07