Royal recognition for SMART saddle range

The Solution Saddles team, manufacturers of the SMART^TM saddle range of fully flexible, patented sports saddles, were in great company as they celebrated the formal presentation of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation.  The official presentation was made by the Queen’s representative Mrs. Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, at the Van Dyke Hotel on Thursday 25^th November. Representatives from a wide range of stakeholders within the UK equestrian industry, including manufacturers, saddle fitters, trade suppliers and riders, joined together with local dignitaries to mark the occasion, which was a remarkable milestone for Great British saddlery design.

The SMART^TM saddle is the only saddle design to have ever been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise and one of only ten recipients within Derbyshire in the last ten years. The sense of achievement was clearly felt throughout the room as HM Lord-Lieutenant presented the Royal Grant of Appointment to SMART^TM Saddle designer, Dr Anne Bondi.

Accepting the award, Dr. Bondi said ‘’When my husband and I founded the company in 2006, we had no idea how many good friends we would make along the way. But, of course, innovators are not always universally welcomed. Innovation means change, and that is not always a comfortable place for a largely traditional and often rather conservative equine industry.’’ Dr. Bondi continued by extending her thanks to everyone present, noting that “you were confident enough in your own successful businesses to see that there was room for us to have our place in the industry too”. She ended by thanking everyone for joining the celebration of Great British design and manufacturing, saying, “It is a privilege to have your support”.

Managing Director, Charlotte Berridge, concluded: ‘’We have been overwhelmed by the positive response from the industry and we will continue to grow the success of the SMART^TM saddle range, both in the UK and internationally.’’

Dr Anne Bondi and the Solution Saddles team receive the Queen’s Award for Enterprise from the Queen’s representative Mrs. Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire in a special celebration at Van Dyk’s Hotel.

Dr Anne Bondi attends a royal reception, held exclusively for Queen’s Award for Enterprise winners, at Windsor Castle earlier this month. 

Treeless saddle myth #1: Treeless saddles do not distribute pressure evenly

 

A common misconception is that treeless saddles are not capable of evenly distributing the weight of the rider because it is commonly believed that this is the role of the tree. There are many different designs of treeless saddles and they vary hugely in standards of manufacture and performance. The market-leading, Queen’s Award-winning SMART Saddle range’s innovative, patented designs are rigorously tested and proven to perform well over time and in all disciplines. The unique design features ensure that the SMART saddle will effectively support and distribute the rider’s weight, thus promoting healthy back development and long-term good back health.

This video clip is an example of pressure mat readings taken at a recent research day, when the latest SMART saddle designs were tested with multiple horse and rider combinations:

Saddles provide the interface between two living, moving beings. The pressure under the saddle changes throughout the stride cycle, which reflects the changing dynamic forces exerted both from underneath the saddle by the horse and on top of the saddle  by the rider. This recording shows clearly how well the design and materials of the fully flexible SMART saddle range perform:

·        Consistency

 The different shades of blue represent consistent low pressure values across the whole of the surface area of the saddle base panels without any evidence of peak pressures under the stirrup bar area.

·        Balance from the left-hand side to right-hand saddle

The overall values are similar from left to right throughout the recording. There is a slight bias to the rear of the right-hand panel; however, the rider center of mass trajectory (image 3), shows that this rider had a tendency to sit slightly to the right-hand side during this data capture.

·        Clearly defined gullet area

The weight-bearing base panels allow for a clear gullet space to accommodate the horse’s spinous processes. Fleeting flashes of blue in this area, and at the front of the gullet, typically represent contact from the pressure sensor cover or the saddle cloth and do not indicate downward pressure from the saddle itself.

 

Although there are limitations to the use of pressure maps in this application (sheer forces cannot yet be measured), there is great value in their use to observe patterns and make direct comparisons. Existing literature serves to give guidance on acceptable pressures underneath the saddle, which is a helpful reference when looking beyond the visuals to process the data. The average pressure value in this clip was 4.8kPa, which is less than a third of Werner et al’s 2002 study which identified average pressure values > 15kPa as potentially harmful.

SMART saddles have been routinely tested throughout the design and development of the saddle range. We have developed and practiced a set protocol for the many data collection days that we have carried out over the years, ensuring that our results are meaningful. We are pleased that these objective results consistently reflect our subjective findings; a fully flexible SMART saddle can effectively support horse and rider, distributing rider weight without creating peak pressures and offering a viable and beneficial alternative to traditional treed saddle designs.

Although processing the data can be time consuming, we look forward to sharing more of these results in due course!

Native focus: The SMART Native saddle – customise to your taste

 SMART saddles come with a choice of base profiles, providing optimal fit for all horse back shapes.

The SMART Native saddle range specifically suits horses and ponies with short, round back profiles with little or no wither. Utilising FlexTech Technology, the SMART Native saddle will flex to fit through changes in shape throughout the season; with the superior leather and customisable knee block options offering rider support, security and mobility for outstanding performance.

All new SMART Native saddles are now available with a choice of custom options, so you can design the final look of your saddle to compliment your style.

·         Custom Cantle – Choose your unique decorative finish to suit your tastes

·         Suprabloc knee flap – for additional support without bulk

·         Black or Havana leather or suede seat and knee flap finish

·         Optional thigh support

 

“I find the SMART Native Dressage saddle to be extremely comfortable and lightweight and my horse has gone from being tense to floating along, relaxed over his back with a greater length of stride.” 
Lesley, SMART Native Dressage customer

Click here to read Lesley's story

Contact Solution Saddles to book your test ride or find out more. 

Please note, some customisations will incur an additional cost which will be quoted at the time of order. Browse your cantle design options below:

 

Continuing best practices for covid-safe test rides

SMART Test Ride Measures

 As restrictions start to relax from next week, we want to let our valued customers know that we will continue to implement extra safety measures to protect both yourselves and our network of SMART Advisors for the foreseeable future. Although the risk is clearly minimised in outdoor spaces, we want you to continue to be comfortable and confident when booking a SMART saddle fitting, so that you can focus on you and your horse, instead of risks that we can effectively mitigate. 

Our SMART Covid-safe protocol: Test ride equipment is carefully cleaned between test rides and, in almost all instances, saddles are stored for a minimum of 72 hours between each client. Please continue to practice social distancing where possible; there are very few instances where being <1m from your SMART Advisor is necessary. Although wearing face masks will no longer be mandatory, we will continue to supply face coverings to each of our SMART Advisors for upcoming test rides. They may elect to wear one or, if you would feel more comfortable with them wearing one during the test ride, simply ask them directly.  We also supply disposable gloves and hand sanitiser for each test ride, so that skin-to-skin contact is avoided and, where wearing gloves is not practical, hands can be cleaned instantly. If you become unwell or have to self-isolate for any reason, please either contact your SMART Advisor directly or call the office on 01909 720 259 to postpone your appointment. We hope that the extension of our covid-safe measures puts you at ease. If you'd like to book a Test Ride of Refit, simply contact us using the link below or call 01909 720 259.

Book a SMART Test Ride or Refit

Are you ready to RE-visit the SMART™ saddle range?

If you have tried a Solution or SMART™ saddle previously but decided that it didn’t meet your requirements at the time, why not give it another try? 

Like any cutting edge product, the SMART™ saddle range has been carefully refined and developed over a number of years and now not only provides the key benefits of a flexible saddle system, but gives both horse and rider so much more.

We're so confident that our new saddle range ticks all of the boxes that, if you proceed to purchase a new SMART™ saddle from us, we will not only refund the test ride fee from this home consultation, but we will also refund the test ride fee from your previous test ride* - saving up to £150! This includes existing clients looking to upgrade their Solution or SMART™ saddle, too. 

So, if you'd like even closer contact; a more precise feel; reduced requirement for external shims and pads; a more elegant, refined finish; a generous gullet width as standard, for even the broadest backs; plus so much more, get in touch today!

Tel: 01909 720 259 / 07738 711 099
Email: smart@solutionsaddles.com

*T&Cs apply - ask for details

New feature: Custom cantle designs - available across the full SMART saddle range!

Brand New SMART Saddle feature for 2021 - add some bling to your new SMART™ saddle!

With custom, decorative cantle designs, handmade in-house by our team of innovative saddle makers, you can choose the finish to your SMART™ saddle and, with the neat, interchangeable design, match your SMART saddle with your accessories.

Available as a standard option with all SMART™ Elite Dressage and Jump saddles, or for a small extra fee on any other new SMART™ saddle, there are a wide range of finishes to choose from, including but not limited to:

·         Patent, Calfskin or Suede leather

·         Diamond quilt-stitched

·         Contrast piping

·         And even real Swarovski crystals!

 

Browse your options below or contact us to discuss your requirements.

Tel: 01909 720 259 / 07738 711 099

Email: smart@solutionsaddles.com 

 

Introducing the NEW SMART™ Elite Dressage saddle

Combining trusted SMART™  FlexTech™  technology with fresh new features, the SMART™  Elite Dressage saddle raises the bar for saddle design and performance.

 

The hotly anticipated SMART™ Elite Dressage saddle is the latest addition to the award-winning SMART™ saddle range. Developed to fit the modern sport horse with ease, the SMART™ Elite Dressage saddle offers unparalleled horse: rider synchrony.

 

Key features include:

·         Elite seat – superior balance, with the closest-contact feel yet

·         High wither engineering – contoured to easily fit the modern sport horse

·         Generous fixed gullet width - broad spined horse? No problem!

·         Elegant design – classical meets contemporary

·         Decorative cantle – customised to your tastes

 

 

     

Introductory Offer:

 

 

The SMART Elite Dressage saddle is on offer at a special introductory price of £2,995 

                    > Includes custom cantle upgrade 

                    > Free SMART™ Elite Dressage competition saddle cloth

 Offer valid until 30th July 2021.

 

Try-Before-you-buy with our Test Ride and Rental Service. Due to high demand, our estimated lead time is currently 5 weeks. 

Simply contact Solution Saddles to find out more: 

Tel: 01909 720 259 / 07738 711 099

Email: smart@solutionsaddles.com

Webshop: Elite Dressage Saddle

Unique SMART™ saddle range wins Queens Award for Innovation 2021.

Solution Saddles is delighted to reveal that its unique, patented SMART™ saddle range has been recognised with a prestigious Queen’s Award for Innovation. Solution Saddles is one of just 205 organisations to be celebrated for their business successes this year; either in international trade, sustainable development, promoting opportunity through social mobility or, for Solution Saddles, excellence in innovation. 

Founded in 2006, Solution Saddles employs 12 members of staff at its Derbyshire base, with over 20 approved saddle fitters supplying the SMART™ saddle range to horse owners across the UK and overseas. Launched in 2010, the groundbreaking SMART™ saddle range has disrupted the largely unchallenged traditional saddle market, providing horses and riders at all levels with a modern solution to their saddle fitting woes and is believed to be the only brand of saddle to have earned a much sought-after Queen’s Award.

The accolade carries additional weight this year as it follows an unprecedented 12 months in business, owed to the Coronavirus pandemic. During this difficult period, Solution Saddles has demonstrated a flexible business model to continue offering outstanding products and customer service even in the face of adversity. With the recent addition of two new apprentice saddle makers, Solution Saddles is set to continue to grow to keep up with increasing customer demand. 

SMART™ saddle designer, Dr Anne Bondi, says,

‘’I am immensely proud of our skilled and dedicated team members, every one of whom has played an integral part in the success of our saddle designs and the continued growth of the company. Most of our team are horse owners and riders themselves, so truly understand our quest to promote the welfare and performance of the ridden horse. As riders, we also know what good customer service means to our clients and how to deliver it. These are the core principles that our reputation for excellence is built on and we look forward to continuing our research programme and bringing more innovation to the equine industry.”

Find out more about the ethos behind the award winning SMART Saddle Range in this short video, featuring SMART saddle designer, Dr Anne Bondi: 

Now in its 55th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards emblem for the next five years.

The Solution Saddles team celebrate their Queen's Award for Innovation win at SMART H.Q. in Derbyshire with SMART Saddle designer, Dr Anne Bondi and the new SMART Elite Jump saddle.

To celebrate this landmark achievement, we have some extra special offers for all Solution Saddles customers:

FREE UK Shipping on all orders placed between 29th April and 31st May 2021! Use code: QUEENS2021 Share your SMART Photos Share your SMART saddle photos on social media with the below #hastags to be in with the chance of winning 1 of 10 x £50 SMART Gift Cards

@solutionsaddles, @TheQueensAwards, @beisgovuk,    #QueensAwards, #SolutionSaddles, #SMARTSaddles

SMART Saddles supporting SMART Advisors at local area events.

We are all looking forward to getting back out and about with our horses, whether it is to get out with family and friends or looking forward to the season ahead of competition and training events.

If you are out eventing, look out for Solution Saddles next weekend, where we will be supporting agents in both Cumbria and Kent.

 

We will be supporting Ruth Clark Equestrian, partnership sponsors for Cumbria Horse Trials, with prizes as the season starts with British Eventing at Frenchfield Park on 1^st and 2^nd May. We will also be supporting them throughout the season for BE events at Frenchfield and Warwick Hall and Unaffiliated Eventer Derbies at Frenchfield and Warwick Hall in May, June, July and August.

SMS Saddle fitter, Ruth Clark, is a SMART Advisor for SMART Saddles, you can arrange to test ride a SMART saddle with her in the Cumbria area: https://www.ruthclarkequestrian.co.uk/

 

Solution Saddles will also be a fence sponsor at Chilham Castle BE Horse Trials on the 1^st & 2^nd May and Chilham Castle International Horse Trials 31^st July & 1^st August to support SMART Saddles Technical Advisor, Kadiya Qasem. Kadiya is based on site and will be happy to discuss SMART saddles and arrange home consultation visits as well as review visits with SMART saddles throughout the South East.

 

SMART saddles are available for test ride, rental and to purchase via our optional 0% payment plan. Find out more about the fully flexible saddle system on our website, www.solutionsaddles.com.

 

Good luck if you are competing!

The SMART Suprabloc: Now available as a customisation on new SMART NATIVE Dressage saddles.

Positioning the knee block on the top of the saddle flap enables a closer-contact, monoflap feel; offering the rider support without adding bulk at what can often be the widest point on some native or cob types, for refined communication and enhanced synchrony.

 

You can choose your preferred knee block style and position Supabloc flap for a tailor-made feel and optimal support to suit your individual requirements.

 

Combining all the benefits of the scientifically tested FlexTech Technology, the SMART NATIVE base panel gives stability on rounder back shapes whilst easily accommodating seasonal changes with minimal adjustments.

 

                                                

The SMART Native Dressage saddle starts from £2,425.00 new and is available to Test Ride and Rent with the option to purchase on any of our 3 x 0% payment plans. 

To find out more and book a Test Ride with your local approved SMART Advisor, contact Solution Saddles: smart@solutionsaddles.com / 01909 720 259 / 07738 711 099

 

“I had wanted to invest in a dressage saddle for a while but was unsure whether it would be worth it for us at our very basic prelim level. However, I decided to take the plunge, and with the help of our lovely SMART Approved Advisor, we decided on a SMART™ Native Dressage saddle, which I had customised with a Suprabloc kneeflap.

 

 

In our first competition in our new saddle, we achieved the two highest scores we’ve ever had in any dressage test, as well as the best collectives for rider’s seat and position that I’ve ever achieved. We got a first and second place as well as some lovely comments from the judge.

 

I cannot recommend these saddles highly enough or thank Solution Saddles enough for pandering to my whims!”

Mel Glover

 

 

Please note that the Suprabloc knee flap cannot be retrofitted to existing saddles and must be ordered as a customisation on a new saddle.

SMART Opportunities for Saddle Fitters

Solution Saddles are inviting saddle fitters to join their existing network of  SMART Advisors. Thanks to continued strong growth and major investment in the business, Solution Saddles have significantly increased production of their SMART Saddle range over the past 12 months to meet customer demand and to ensure a reliable and responsive supply to its valued fitters and clients.

Solution Saddles continues to operate its highly successful “zero investment - zero risk” policy, whereby all demo stock is provided at no cost and no commitment to the saddle fitter. Combined with high, well-maintained stock levels, a 28-day lead time for custom orders and free product and fitting training, providing a first-class fitting service for clients and their horses anywhere in the country couldn’t be easier.

The unique, patented, fully flexible SMART Saddle range continues to grow in popularity thanks to the many advantages that it offers, including extensive trial opportunities and exceptional customer care. Suitable for all types of horses and ponies, from the sensitive and difficult-to-fit to the amenable and well conformed, the SMART saddle range is the perfect addition to complement any saddle fitter’s existing stock.

With the prospect of the country opening up for events again in the not-too-distant future, we expect to be able to offer Covid-secure saddle fitting training opportunities in 2021. 

Find out more on our website: Become an Advisor 

Enquiries: 01909 720 259 / 07738 711 099 or email: smart@solutionsaddles.com.