Welcome!
I'm Kate Athanas-Wilson, owner of Dutchess Bridle & Saddle LLC. I received my Bachelor of Art degree in Art from Ithaca College in 1995. The day after receiving my diploma, I began my saddlery and bridle making career with an apprenticeship to a qualified Master Sadder from The Society of Master Saddlers at Albion Saddlemakers' US importer and distributor of the Albion saddle. I have also trained with a 13 year veteran saddlery instructor from Cordwainer's College in London and Qualified Master Saddler through an intensive saddle building course. On multiple occasions, I have trained with the exceptionally skilled saddlers in the Albion Saddlemakers factory in England. I have also attended the Saddle Fitting Foundations Course given by The Society of Master Saddlers in England in August 2002 and their first ever USA course offering at Wilson College in May 2005. I received my certification as an Associate Overseas Qualified Saddle Fitter from The Society of Master Saddlers in August 2006. I have also had three articles published in 2006 in Practical Horseman about Suede Cleaning, Saddle Storage and Synthetic Tack Care in the August 2006 issue. I recently completed the Qualified Saddle Fitters Referesher Course at Moulton College, Northampton, UK in July 2008. I am also an active rider and the owner of a lovely Hanoverian/TB gelding!
I am proud to announce that my husband, Jim, has joined me full time in the workshop for repair work. He brings 30 years of meticulous carpentry skills to Dutchess Bridle & Saddle. He has spent time working with the saddlers in the Albion factory in April 2005, August 2006 and July 2008. He has become accomplished in almost all areas of saddle repair. We are able to quickly turn your repairs around with the additional manpower.
