Following a 20 year career in the corporate industry, Clair retrained as a bench saddler at The Saddlery Training Centre in Salisbury. She is now an award-winning qualified saddler, specialising in handmade bespoke bridles created using the finest of British materials, and her goal is to become a master bridlemaker, qualified bridle fitter and an all-round educator within the next three years.
The QEST Scholarship will enable Clair to advance her bridle making skills and gain field experience in bridle fitting with a master saddler, in preparation for undertaking the City & Guilds Certificate in Bridle Fitting and Measuring. The training will also improve her opportunities to deliver 1:1 consultations, public awareness, demonstrations and educational workshops on correct methods of bit and bridle fitting. Finally, her life-long ambition is to train and mentor the next generation of bench saddlers in the design, manufacture and fitting of bespoke bridlework.
