A modern solution to saddle fitting header
A modern solution to saddle fitting header

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

Queens Award

SMART Saddles is delighted to reveal that its unique, patented SMART™ saddle range has been recognised with a prestigious Queen’s Award for Innovation. SMART 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 SMART Saddles, excellence in innovation.

Saddles

Founded in 2006, SMART 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, SMART 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, SMART Saddles is set to continue to grow to keep up with increasing customer demand.

Dr Anne Bondi

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.

Dr Anne Bondi

The SMART 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.