Catherine Baker
After entering the saddlery trade in 2002, Catherine qualified as a Saddler in 2013 and has since built a successful business specialising in bespoke bridles, bridle fitting, saddle fitting and bitting consultation. As a practising craftsperson, she remains actively involved in the design, manufacture and fitting of equestrian equipment, giving her a unique perspective on how craftsmanship, fit and function work together to support both horse and rider.
Alongside her commercial work, Catherine is heavily involved in education and professional development within the industry. She is a lecturer, assessor and Co-Course Leader for The Society of Master Saddlers’ Bridle Fitting Programme and has played a key role in developing training and assessment materials for future saddlers and fitters. Her teaching focuses on helping learners understand not only how equipment is made, but why it is designed in a particular way and how those design decisions influence performance, comfort and welfare.
Catherine served as President of The Society of Master Saddlers and continues to support evidence-informed practice within the profession through a number of ongoing research projects. She currently leads several task and finish groups investigating topics relating to saddlery fitting, horse welfare and professional practice. Passionate about preserving traditional saddlery skills, she is equally committed to ensuring the profession continues to evolve alongside emerging research and advances in equine welfare.
Whether she is teaching in the workshop, assessing learners, researching new developments or making a bespoke bridle, Catherine’s aim is to promote high standards of craftsmanship and help others develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to succeed in the saddlery trade. She is a strong advocate for horse welfare and believes that the best saddlers and fitters understand the relationship between craft, fit and function. By combining traditional saddlery skills with practical fitting expertise, she encourages learners to see how each discipline informs the other, creating equipment that not only looks good but performs its role comfortably and effectively for both horse and rider.