Worksop saddle firm recognised with prestigious Queen's Award

Director and SMART Saddle designer, Dr Anne Bondi, graduating with her PhD in horse, saddle and rider interaction.

Solution Saddles, based at Firbeck House, has scooped a much sought-after Queen’s Award for Innovation for its unique, patented SMARTTM saddle range.

The firm is just one of 205 organisations in the UK and 15 across the East Midlands to be celebrated for their business successes with a Queen’s Award this year.

Founded in 2006, Solution Saddles employs 12 members of staff from around the Bassetlaw area, with over 20 approved saddle fitters supplying the SMARTTM saddle range to horse owners across the UK and overseas.

The SMARTTM 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.

It is believed to be the only brand of saddle to have earned a Queen’s Award.

SMARTTM saddle designer, Dr Anne Bondi, said: ‘’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.

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"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.”

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 Queen’s Awards emblem for the next five years.

This year’s Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are given for outstanding achievement in innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.

The winners pass a robust assessment process, judged by senior officials in Whitehall and experts from industry, academia and the third sector.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “The past year has been a tough time for many businesses across the UK, which is why it is more important than ever to celebrate the achievements of our wealth creators and recognise the contributions they make to our communities.”

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