Newly qualified saddler, Emma Hamilton’s long journey from her home in Glasgow to London to attend the prestigious Society of Master Saddlers’ National Saddlery Competition proved worthwhile when she took home one of the top awards.

Held at the Saddlers’ Hall in London and supported by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, the event continues to be hugely popular promoting expertise and craftsmanship in the saddlery industry.

Emma won the Small Business Saddle Makers' class after making a saddle that caught the judges attention and saw her take the honours at a glittering awards ceremony. A delighted Emma said: “I have just qualified as a saddler so it has been a very exciting time for me and making the trip to London has been fantastic.

“I carried out my apprenticeship thanks to funding from the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust so it is wonderful to gain my qualification. The saddle I entered is actually the first one I have ever made so I am just delighted and it has definitely given me the confidence to enter again next year.

“I decided to make a brown general purpose saddle and it took about four weeks to complete on and off.

Supported by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, the Worshipful Company of Coach and Coach Harness Makers, Abbey England and Cribbs Carriage Masters, the competition awards ceremony was followed by an evening reception which attracted many of the leading names from the saddlery world.