Meet our Saddle Fitters
The Saddle Bank works with a reliable network of independent saddle fitters. Our fitters are highly trained and experienced in fitting saddles to horses and riders. They are dedicated to providing the best possible service and experience when it comes to fitting saddles.
Meet our fitters below and find out more about their experience and expertise.
Clare Bell
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire
Clare Bell is an SMS Qualified Saddle Fitter and SMS Qualified Bridle Fitter, registered with the Society of Master Saddlers. Operating under Premier Equestrian, she provides expert saddle and bridle fitting services across the East Midlands, including Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. Clare offers saddle fitting and checking for all brands, along with professional bridle fitting services. She supplies both new and second-hand saddles, as well as saddle checks and flocking services, ensuring both horse and rider achieve optimal comfort and performance.
A keen horsewoman herself, Clare understands firsthand the importance of a well-fitting saddle—not just for the horse, but for the rider too. With 30 years of experience working with horses and ponies, she is deeply passionate about horse welfare and works with horses and riders of all ages and abilities. Her understanding of equine movement allows her to identify how poorly fitted tack can hinder a horse’s way of going, while correctly fitted equipment can enhance it.
Clare also has a particular interest in girthing and is keen to educate her clients about the pitfalls of unsuitable or badly fitted girths. She believes that every aspect of tack should be carefully considered to promote the horse’s comfort, well-being, and performance.
A keen horsewoman herself, Clare understands firsthand the importance of a well-fitting saddle—not just for the horse, but for the rider too. With 30 years of experience working with horses and ponies, she is deeply passionate about horse welfare and works with horses and riders of all ages and abilities. Her understanding of equine movement allows her to identify how poorly fitted tack can hinder a horse’s way of going, while correctly fitted equipment can enhance it.
Clare also has a particular interest in girthing and is keen to educate her clients about the pitfalls of unsuitable or badly fitted girths. She believes that every aspect of tack should be carefully considered to promote the horse’s comfort, well-being, and performance.
Frances Ridley
Wiltshire, Hampshire & Dorset
Frances is a Qualified Saddle Fitter and SMS Qualified Saddler, offering saddle fitting, bridle making, re-flocking, and leather repairs. With a background in Equine Science and hands-on experience in a Veterinary Laboratory, her deep understanding of equine anatomy informs every fitting.
Having studied Horse Management at Moulton College and later trained in Equine Science, Frances has always had a passion for horses. She competed up to Riding Club level in various disciplines, gaining practical experience in both riding and horse care. While she no longer owns a horse due to her role as a mum to a one-year-old daughter, her love for horses and riding still shapes her work. After a corporate career, Frances retrained during lockdown to follow her passion, now combining her qualifications in saddle fitting and saddlery with her lifelong experience in the equine world.
Clients value her thoroughness, strong attention to detail, and educational approach – ensuring both horse and rider benefit fully. Whether you're a happy hacker or serious competitor, you’ll receive the same level of care and precision.
Frances takes pride in building lasting relationships with clients, focusing on comfort, fit, and long-term performance. She believes that clear communication and owner education are key to better outcomes for horses – and is always happy to answer questions and explain her process.
Frances is committed to continued professional development and plans to add bit fitting to her services soon.
Having studied Horse Management at Moulton College and later trained in Equine Science, Frances has always had a passion for horses. She competed up to Riding Club level in various disciplines, gaining practical experience in both riding and horse care. While she no longer owns a horse due to her role as a mum to a one-year-old daughter, her love for horses and riding still shapes her work. After a corporate career, Frances retrained during lockdown to follow her passion, now combining her qualifications in saddle fitting and saddlery with her lifelong experience in the equine world.
Clients value her thoroughness, strong attention to detail, and educational approach – ensuring both horse and rider benefit fully. Whether you're a happy hacker or serious competitor, you’ll receive the same level of care and precision.
Frances takes pride in building lasting relationships with clients, focusing on comfort, fit, and long-term performance. She believes that clear communication and owner education are key to better outcomes for horses – and is always happy to answer questions and explain her process.
Frances is committed to continued professional development and plans to add bit fitting to her services soon.
Kay Houghton
Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire
Kay Houghton is a highly experienced and certified saddle fitter with 18 years of industry expertise, working with high-level competition horses across the UK and internationally. A Cumbria School of Saddlery graduate, she specializes in leather and bridle work and holds a certification in Saddle Repair & Reflocking. Kay continually enhances her expertise through regular brand-specific training, staying up to date with the latest innovations in saddle fitting.
Operating under the business name Saddle Wizards, Kay specializes in the purchase, sale, and fitting of high-quality second-hand saddles, ensuring that both horse and rider achieve the perfect fit for optimal comfort and performance. She has extensive experience working with some of the world’s leading saddle brands, bringing a wealth of knowledge to her clients.
Kay covers a wide area, including Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire. Whether assisting riders with saddle fitting or offering a carefully curated selection of pre-owned saddles, her dedication to quality and service makes her a trusted name in the equestrian community.
And if you ever need a reindeer handler, Kay has experience in that too!
Operating under the business name Saddle Wizards, Kay specializes in the purchase, sale, and fitting of high-quality second-hand saddles, ensuring that both horse and rider achieve the perfect fit for optimal comfort and performance. She has extensive experience working with some of the world’s leading saddle brands, bringing a wealth of knowledge to her clients.
Kay covers a wide area, including Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire. Whether assisting riders with saddle fitting or offering a carefully curated selection of pre-owned saddles, her dedication to quality and service makes her a trusted name in the equestrian community.
And if you ever need a reindeer handler, Kay has experience in that too!
Lucy Evans
Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Norfolk
Lucy Evans is an SMS Qualified Saddle, Bridle and Bit Fitter, proudly listed on both the Society of Master Saddlers Register and the Equine Fitters Directory. Based in Lincolnshire, Lucy covers a wide area including Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire — and is happy to travel further by request.
As an independent fitter who has worked closely with The Saddle Bank for several years, Lucy brings a wealth of experience and a compassionate, horse-first approach to every fitting. She is also a qualified Equine and Human Sports Massage Therapist, which greatly enhances her ability to assess both horse and rider comfort during fittings.
Lucy’s journey into saddle fitting was inspired by her own horse, Willow — an ex-racehorse with a range of complex issues. Determined to find answers and improve Willow's well-being, Lucy began her training and quickly developed a passion for helping horses move freely and comfortably. Though she sadly lost Willow in 2019 after nearly seven years together, Lucy continues to honour her legacy by helping other horses thrive through thoughtful, informed, and empathetic saddle fitting.
As an independent fitter who has worked closely with The Saddle Bank for several years, Lucy brings a wealth of experience and a compassionate, horse-first approach to every fitting. She is also a qualified Equine and Human Sports Massage Therapist, which greatly enhances her ability to assess both horse and rider comfort during fittings.
Lucy’s journey into saddle fitting was inspired by her own horse, Willow — an ex-racehorse with a range of complex issues. Determined to find answers and improve Willow's well-being, Lucy began her training and quickly developed a passion for helping horses move freely and comfortably. Though she sadly lost Willow in 2019 after nearly seven years together, Lucy continues to honour her legacy by helping other horses thrive through thoughtful, informed, and empathetic saddle fitting.