I decided I needed my own horse again when my son and daughter began riding as young children. I bought a Thoroughbred field hunter, thought I might as well try my hand at eventing when there was no hunting, and got utterly hooked. We had easy access to superb training under the British Horse Society system, and after a major effort to improve our dressage and show jumping, we had worked our way up to what would be the American equivalent of Preliminary level eventing.

Two years ago, we moved back to the States and settled in New Hampshire. The very first thing I did after landing on these shores was look for another event horse, and as soon as I had found the horse, I began looking for a new saddle. I was riding in an Albion overseas, and I wanted another one. I had also grown accustomed to having access to a saddle fitter who would rock up at my barn with a selection of saddles to try on the horse, then flock the saddle of choice to fit properly. It is a measure of how naïve I was that I hoped I could replicate that experience here. The result was considerable disappointment and aggravation with retailers, and even self-styled "master saddle-fitters," whose depth of knowledge and expertise were unimpressive.

One thing led to another, and I landed up doing what I am doing now, which is providing other riders the personalized help with saddle selection and custom fit that I was trying to find. I must admit, I had my doubts at first whether I would ever be able to live up to my own standards. When I was learning to flock, it took me nearly a whole day to flock my first saddle. I was so tense that my hands were sweating and I felt like throwing up, and after all that the panels were still lumpy. Don't worry, though, I've improved a bit since then!

What I love most about this job is that I believe that what I do improves the quality of life for the horses I work with. I spend quite a bit of time with people showing them how to assess good saddle fit, so that they will have this knowledge to go forward with whether or not they decide to buy an Albion. Happily, however, the design technology of the Albions is so exceptional that there is nearly always a saddle that will thrill the rider and relieve the horse equally. I like to think that my clients up here in Northern New England know that I am committed and will stay committed to them and to their horses for as long as they need me.

  COLLEEN MEYER if you have any questions.
I would be happy to help you with your saddlefitting needs.