Meet The Team

Caroline Doolittle – SMS Saddle Fitter

 

Everyday I’m Still Learning…

I honestly can’t remember a time when horses weren’t part of my life. As a kid, I was completely horse mad — helping Mum on her stand at shows and hanging on tight while trying to stay on my very cheeky pony!

That love for horses turned into a 30-year career in equestrian retail, managing Equimix Saddlery (now Oldfields of Ombersley). I loved every minute of it — it gave me a huge amount of knowledge and experience with all kinds of products, from bits and bridles to safety gear and, of course, saddles.

When I wasn’t competing, I’d be out on the road with Mum, helping her fit saddles. So moving into saddle fitting full-time just felt like the natural next step. We’ve never looked back, and the business keeps growing — especially now that Lizzie (my daughter) joined the team in 2021.

And on the rare day off, you’ll still find me doing what I love most — riding, training, and competing our horses. Because no matter how long I’ve been doing this, there’s always something new to learn.

Book A Fitting

Lizzie Brunt – SMS Saddle Fitter

The Pony That Started It All…

When your nan comes home from a riding school having swapped a saddle for a pony, alarm bells probably should’ve been ringing — but I was seven and desperate for my own pony, so I was over the moon.

Tiddily, a fiery little 12.2 jumping machine (once she was facing the right way!), quickly showed us why the riding school had been happy to trade. She was opinionated, stubborn, and absolutely wonderful. She taught me determination, patience, and the value of a good seat!

A few more cheeky ponies came and went, and then along came Connie — a very ordinary-looking 13.2 coloured cob who turned out to be anything but. Within a year, she’d taken me from jumping 2ft at Pony Club to BSJA Newcomers.

From there, everything changed. I threw myself into Pony Club show jumping, and in 2012 our team won the National Championships. That’s when my love of eventing really began — and I’ve never looked back. My horse Tay was a natural, moving up to BE CCI* in just two seasons.

After graduating from Hartpury Equine College, I worked for international and Olympic event riders Austin O’Connor and Vittoria Panizzon, gaining incredible insight into how top performance horses are trained — and how vital correct saddle fit is. Having a mum who’s a passionate saddle fitter certainly helped too!

Now, as a fully qualified SMS Saddle Fitter, I balance life between competing, fitting and flocking saddles, and being mum to my two gorgeous boys, Albert and Benji.

Jane Saunders – Founder (1941-2025)

 From a farmhouse pantry to a lasting legacy

 

Jane was truly a force of nature. Anyone who met her knew she didn’t mince her words or stand on ceremony — but beneath that no-nonsense exterior was a kind, warm-hearted woman who dedicated her life to horses. She believed, with unwavering conviction, that every horse deserved a well-fitted saddle — often proving the point by carrying out fittings ringside at shows!
Sadly, Jane passed away in April of  2025. Her sense of humour, sharp stare, and generous heart will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Yet her legacy lives on through two generations of passionate horsewomen who continue to uphold her values and dedication to horse welfare.
Where It All Began
Jane Saunders …… in her own words 
“My mother always said I should keep a well-stocked pantry… though perhaps not one filled with saddles and horse rugs!”

Its amazing to think how far the business has grown from my little pantry in the farmhouse. Back then we sold everything equestrian. Most weekends we’d load the contents of the shop into my horse lorry, (with a horse wedged in to compete on at lunchtime) and off we’d go to all the local shows to set up our stand. We would quite often fit saddles at the side of the show ring 5 minutes before they were due to compete.

As time went by the saddle fitting part of the business became busier, riders became more aware of the advantages of properly fitting tack and soon it took over all together.  There wasn’t the choice in saddles that there is today, so I spent many hours in my car sourcing good quality saddles for clients at sales all over the country.

Being one of the first ladies to complete The Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Saddle Fitting Course  it was proud achievement. I’m a great believer in that you never stop learning and have enjoyed attending regular courses for the last 40 years.

Pineau De Re 

16hh. 2004 French bred gelding.

Pineau De Re is best known for winning the Grand National in 2014. He retired from racing in 2016, and then we were lucky enough for him to join our team in 2017. He is now a retrained racehorse enjoying his parades at Aintree and successfully eventing at novice level.

One of the yards favourites who we thoroughly enjoy having around.

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Fortunita 

16hh. 2011 Oldenberg mare by Furstenball.

Smartie joined the team summer 2018. She came to us to sell and we ended up falling for her, so we brought her! She is a lovely mare with very low mileage.

Over the last 12 months Caroline has been quietly getting Fortuntia out at Medium level  and is showing great promise. This season they will be moving up to Advanced Medium.