I've always been crafty and busy with my hands growing up. I started working with leather in late 2021, and spent a couple years figuring things out on my own, mostly making belts and dog collars with the odd bridle repair thrown in here & there.
In May of 2024 I flew to England and spent 2 weeks learning from Chris Taylor at Saddler's Den, where I made my first ever bridle, pictured to the right here on my pony. This bridle is now well broken in but still in use today! Chris and his crew were my first official introduction to traditional English saddlery craft methods, and I am forever grateful for their kindness and wealth of knowledge.
October of 2024, I joined the Society of Master Saddlers as a Trainee Saddler. January of 2025 I entered in the National Saddlery Competition held every year at Saddler's Hall in London. My pieces did not place, but I got lots of invaluable feedback and made great friends and connections. Throughout the rest of 2025 I have been attending training at The Saddlery Training Centre under Mark Romain MBE every couple of months. I have succesfully completed my City & Guilds level 3 diploma in Saddlery (Bridle), and am currently working on my saddle qualifications.
Between training courses, I have been busy setting up my own saddlery business back home in Alberta, Canada, offering repairs and bespoke work, as well as riding and competing my pony, Theo.
- Téa Adams, SMS Trainee Saddler
