In Conversation with Rob Jenkins
Q: Where did your journey into leatherwork begin?
Rob laughs when he talks about how it all started.
“I had horses as a kid, but once I left school the horses had gone and I wasn’t quite sure what to do next. I knew I wanted to work with my hands and I’d always loved traditional skills. There’s something about the smell of an old saddlery – the leather, the history – I just loved it. Leather felt like the right medium.”
He adds, with a grin, “Carpentry wasn’t my strong point then and it still isn’t now… so leather it was.”
Rob began at Walsall College, in the old Victorian building since home to the Walsall Leather Museum. He describes it as a “fantastic factory environment” in which to learn.
“I studied bridle and harness making at first. Barry Sheldon, my tutor was old school, so I learned everything the “correct way”. Saddle making came later and I really appreciated the freedom to design and come up with different patterns.
Later, he trained in Salisbury with Richard Godden, formerly of Champion & Wilton the renowned London side saddle manufacturers. The training initially focused on side saddle repair and restoration moving forward to new saddle manufacturing.
“Once I’d started learning side saddle, I was hooked. Richard was incredibly generous with his knowledge, nothing was too much trouble and he’d show you everything. I went back time and again over the years. He sadly passed away in 2025 – it really felt like the end of an era.”
Many trained under Richard, Rob explains, and those skills will hopefully be passed down the line to future saddlers.
Pre-Covid, Rob was juggling with what felt like two full-time roles – saddle fitting (astride saddle) alongside making and repairing side saddles.
“Post-Covid I made the decision to stop general saddle fitting and focus solely on side saddles. Now I make and fit the saddles I build myself.”
He has built a strong reputation for doing exactly that.
Rob’s specialism lies in manufacturing modern side saddles.
“The traditional designs were created for very different horses and riders. Horses today have different back shapes, riders are different too. Traditional trees are often too long and just don’t suit modern horses.”
His solution is a modern tree with traditional principles at its heart.
“I use a more open head and layers of felt with cotton underneath to achieve a long-term fit along the horse’s back. Foam and traditional flocking can compress. My method future-proofs the fit of the side saddle.”
He has been working this way for 15–20 years.
“It works. For me and for the horses.”
“A lot of saddle fitters won’t touch side saddles,” Rob explains. “But understanding how one is made gives you a much deeper grasp of fit and adjustment. Even if you don’t go on to specialise, the knowledge is invaluable.”
Students attending the course purchase one of Rob’s modern side saddle trees. Before the course begins, he asks detailed questions about the horse’s shape and the rider’s leg length, commissioning trees months in advance.
“Old trees can be over 100 years old. You’re pulling out rusty nails from weakened wood. What other sport proudly uses 100-year-old equipment?” he says with a smile. “When you build a new saddle, you’re making your own history. Something you make today could still be in use in 100 years’ time.”
Most students make a side saddle on the Side Saddle Construction Course for themselves or for a specific client.
“I love it,” he says simply. “The facilities are excellent. It’s easy to get to, everything’s within walking distance, especially the station. Patrick brings fantastic energy to the centre and Christer is a font of knowledge and always learning, soaking up knowledge to pass on to future students. The Walsall Leather Skills Centre is a great environment for making and learning.”
More than anything, he enjoys passing on knowledge.
“When I started out in my career I set off to Scotland, to learn harness making and the person I was apprenticed with wouldn’t pass on skills. I struggled to be able to learn. So I’m very keen to share what I know. Helping someone problem-solve and seeing the penny drop – that’s really rewarding.”
“They often think side saddles are old-fashioned or overly complex. In reality, the way I teach them is modernised and accessible. Students can walk away with a finished saddle to use or sell.”
He believes the course gives confidence.
“You can take on an order, make one properly, adjust them for clients. It adds real value to a saddler’s skillset.”
“It’s a very satisfying career, as long as you’re doing what you enjoy.”
For Rob, that place is the bench.
“I love making. That’s my reward. Leather gives you scope to use your creativity. If you have half an idea, you can work it through and bring it to life. That’s the beautiful thing about leatherwork – inspiration can become something tangible.”