Award winning saddler, Geoffrey Dean

Traditional English bark leather, available only from one tanner in the country was used for a show breast collar harness which earned Findon Valley saddler Geoff Dean a coveted third prize in the prestigious annual competition held by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers in London. Geoff has won numerous prizes over the years in the competition, which is a showcase for work submitted by top saddlers all over the country. In recent years he has specialised in harness entries, reflecting his part

Last year he was a first prizewinner, but this year the class was even better subscribed and there was hot competition to achieve a place among the prizewinners.

"I chose English black bark leather, which is only available from Bakers of Colyton in Devon. It is traditional leather as it should be, and it takes 13 months to tan using bark, rather than quicker and more modern vegetable and mineral tans." he explained.

The breast collar was finished off with top quality brass fittings, reflecting the high standards used by Geoff in making all types of harness, whether show or other. He is the only saddler in West Sussex who makes harness to order for the rapidly growing sport of carriage driving.