NORTH AMERICAN SADDLERY SCHOOL
Traditional Saddlery Skills for Modern Equestrians
At The North American Saddlery, we pride ourselves on our team of qualified instructors. Each educator is certified by the esteemed Society of Master Saddlers, ensuring that our students receive top-notch training. Our dedicated craftsmen bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, committed to providing a quality education that meets the highest standards. Join us to learn from the best in the industry!
Meet Annette Gavin, our passionate owner and founder of the North American Saddlery School. With over 25 years of experience as an SMS Master Saddle Fitter and a qualified SMS Bridle Fitter, Annette is also a certified British Horse Society Instructor (BHSI) and has her Stable Manager Certificate as well (BHS SM). She has experience competing through CCI** eventing, as well as Intermediate dressage. Annette is committed to improving the lives of horses through expert fitting and education. When she's not working with her equine friends, you can find her exploring the beautiful mountains of Pennsylvania with her husband, two cats, and her beloved horses, Bridget and Lip.
Amber Markley is a dedicated Manager of Operations at HCS, USA Saddlery, and co-owner of the North American Saddlery School. As a Society of Master Saddlers Registered Master Saddle Fitter and the first Qualified Bridle Fitter in North America, she brings unparalleled expertise to her field. With a background as a Qualified Vet Tech and a passion for Dressage and Event riding, Amber also runs her own boarding, training, and rehabilitation business, Stoneleigh Equine. When she's not instructing at the North American School or traveling to the UK to enhance her knowledge, Amber enjoys life on her Maryland farm, gardening, hiking, and exploring her newfound interest in mountain biking.
Rachael Argo is a Society of Master Saddlers (UK) Master Saddler and Master Saddle Fitter. She trained with SMS Master Saddler Andre Bubear, previously a saddler with the Queen's Household Cavalry and then Master Saddler for the Metropolitan Police's mounted branch.
Andre and Rachael both worked for the International League for the Protection of Horses and it was through the ILPH that Rachael was offered a chance to apprentice with Andre. The ILPH is dedicated to improving Equine Welfare the world over and having safe, comfortable and well fitted tack plays an important part in equine welfare. Saddle fitting is a major issue in welfare and Rachael specialized in this area from early on in her training and this is still the biggest part of her work.
Rachael was head groom at the Scottish Equine Rehabilitation Centre where the team specialized in rehabilitation of all types of equines with all manner of issues. Along with a team of experts, including vets, orthopedic surgeons, farriers and physiotherapists, who visited the farm regularly the small team of grooms were responsible for rehabilitating a variety of injured and feral horses and then rehoming them to approved homes. This gave Rachael a unique insight into equine anatomy and movement and the potential damage that can be done with poorly fitted tack.
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Rachael moved to Portugal in 2021 along with her dogs and owns Callan Saddlery. She fits and sells saddles, repairs all types of leather work and manufactures high quality bridle work and leather items. In her spare time, she rides and breeds her Andalusian horses and teaches Classical Dressage
Kay Hastilow trained as a bench saddler in the late 1960s and worked as such until she noticed how much her own horses improved once modifications were made to her own saddles. This led to a lifelong passion for saddle fitting, seeing horses totally transformed in their way of going, gaining success in their field and an improvement in their attitude to life.
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From 1975 this became her main work and so, when The Society of Master Saddlers decided in 1995 that a course in saddle fitting was necessary it was natural that they turned to her to be one of the lecturers on this course. It was Kay that wrote all of the original notes for this, and she that has updated them since this time. She has lectured on these courses from the start of the course in 1995 until the present day.
She has been much involved in design and development of saddles, being in the happy position of understanding what will be good for the horse and rider whilst being able to explain and demonstrate to the manufacturers exactly what is required. Many of the features included in today’s saddles come initially from work that she has done.
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With her horses Kay concentrated on arena jumping but also took part in dressage competitions and one day events. Although now semi-retired from saddle fitting she continues to lecture, teach and train those wishing to become saddle fitters, veterinarians and the general riding public as she loves sharing her knowledge and experience with those interested in this subject. She has taught for the North American Saddlery School on several occasions and finds the interest and enthusiasm from the candidates and the attitude of the organisers, refreshing and pleasing.
Andrew Hastilow is the Owner of Hastilow & Sons, having been the Senior Master Saddler at Hastilow Competition Saddles where he was the designer and developer of the new saddle lines. He completed his apprenticeship with his father in his Walsall company, then joined the Parkes Group as a Master Saddler. Andrew went to Australia working for a Saddlery Co then returned to join Hastilow team. He has had many wins in the Society of Master Saddlers Saddlery Competition and has been designing and producing saddles for 30 yrs, he is a Master Saddler and a Qualified Saddle Fitter.
Hastilow & Sons was launched on January 19, 2019,and the company has gone from strength to strength. The client base covers the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand a& Australia. Andrew prides himself on his eye for detail & is continually looking at ways to further develop saddle construction.
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He is an avid cricket player with Haslemere Cricket Club for the last 32 years. He is a level two cricket coach for under 21's as well as a qualified Welfare Officer and First Aider. He is married to Karen and they have two sons. Tom is currently studying for a masters degree at Newcastle University & James is currently working with his father in the workshop