The ex-P.C. who mixes business and pleasure
A young Rushden ex-policeman went to Barton Seagrave Horse Show and Pony Trials on Saturday in an unusual dual capacity – as salesman and competitor. As a competitor he did not win a prize (it would have surprised him if he had), but as a salesman he had a successful day.
To 26-year-old Mr Eric Pinnell the latter was more important, because his ambition has been realised. This was to have a business for which anything to do with horse riding could be catered for.
It all began when Mr. Pinnell joined the Army In 1947. He was given the chance of becoming an equestrian instructor in the R.A.S.C. He took it, and came to love horses. Four of his six years’ service were spent in Egypt, where he rode in many horse shows. When he returned to civilian life, Mr. Pinnell felt he must have a job connected with horses. A riding stable was out of the question as he not sufficient capital.
Then he hit on the idea of combining a saddler's business with that of an equestrian's outfitter. Result: “Horse and Rider", a shop in Rushden High Street South. But first there was much waiting and work to be done. To earn some money to give himself a start he joined the Police Force at Rushden.
As P.C. Pinnell he pounded his beat in the town, and kept his options open for a piece of land on which to build. After 18 months he left the Force and started to build the shop himself. Friends and relations came to help, and he was given a grant by the Rural Industries Bureau.
Six months ago the shop opened, and so far, business has been better than he expected.
Mr. Pinnell hopes to have a stand at several local horse shows this season. "Only in this way can I become known among riding folk" he says. This was his first show, but competitors and spectators alike flocked to his tent. Mr Pinnell sells anything to do with horses and riding. He can supply a pony, riding tackle to go with it, riding habit, and anything else for its maintenance.
“This is a very pleasant business to be in". He says, “I do a lot of evening work going to people’s houses. I discuss their hobby – horse riding – and what equipment they require for it”.
What about Mr. Pinnell's role as a competitor? He explained that he was preparing a very young horse for show jumping. Seven weeks ago it had never seen a show jump.
He still has hopes of having a high-class riding stable, where local people, particularly children, can learn to ride.
1958
More Saddle Tree Development - Leicester Firm Uses New Methods
The firm of F Bradley & Son, Belgrave Gate, Leicester, have heen experimenting with saddle trees. In a letter to this journal, they write :
"We were most interested to read in the November issue of 'Leather and Saddlery' the report from Mr. Shields on the making of new type saddle trees. We also have been experimenting on a similar idea during the past eighteen months and, like Mr. Shields, have come across a number of snags, but believe there is a great future for this type of tree.
'So far we have not actually fitted one of these trees to a new saddle, but for some time have been using the method to repair broken trees and after stringent tests and hard wear the repairs have proved most satisfactory. The cost of such repairs amounts to about a quarter of the cost of repairing a tree in the usual way.
"The idea of an almost unbreakable tree came to our minds during the show season when visiting shows with our saddlery stand. It was amazing the number of customers who came and asked if we could put a little more stuffing in the fronts of their saddles, while in many instances the trouble was broken trees and, of course, no amount of stuffing would be of any use. Many of the younger generation are not over-careful in their treatment of saddles and all this caused us to feel that trees need to be almost unbreakable.
"When dealing with this matter we would like to say how grateful we are to our saddler who has experimented and carried out the work. He is only a young man and I think you will agree it is encouraging lo find young people with ideas coming into our trade. This young man was recommended to us several years ago by Mr. Shields from the Training Centre at Wimbledon and he has made wonderful progress. If it had not been for his experiments with the saddle tree we should not have been able to repair trees by this new method."
1961
Modern material speed saddlers craft
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Alan sits at his frame stitching
& the simple tools of his trade.
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Mr. Alan Pinnell
stretches webbing
over the tree.
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Two Rushden (Northants) men, Mr. Eric Pinnell and Mr. Alan Pinnell, are working on a saddle that they have invented of a new and revolutionary type. The "Tree" or frame of the saddle is made of fibre glass, instead of the usual wood which has been used in the trade for centuries.
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Mr. Eric Pinnell places the
fibre glass sheet into the
mould of the saddle tree.
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The new substance fibre glass, has all the necessary strength, and yet retains its springiness needed for a good saddle. As well as being lighter than wood it will also make the finished saddle less expensive. Mr. Alan Pinnell, who was formerly a saddler at Leicester, and has been working on the new project for the last six months, found that the only problem was the attaching of the leather to the fibre glass, this problem was soon overcome, and now the saddles are on sale on the home market. It is hoped, later this month, to break into the export trade when saddles will be exported to America and Australia.
SADDLES
'FIBRESPRING Range (Patent applied for)
We can now offer the very latest development in saddles. Known as our "FIBRESPRING" range they are, without doubt, the finest saddles ever made and yet offered at remarkably low cost.
All ‘FIBRESPRING' saddles are built on a Fibre-glass tree, flexible and of tremendous strength, lighter than a conventional tree, nothing can rust or deteriorate.
Every 'FIBRESPR1NG' saddle incorporates the following features :
Modern deep seat of pleasing line
Spring seat
Recessed stirrup bars
Calf lined panels
Crafted of finest English leather throughout
General Riding Model - Sheer luxury for hunting, hacking and school work. etc.
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| 16in. - £21. |
17in. - £23.. 10s. |
18in. - £25 |
| Jumping Model |
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| 'FIBRESPR1NG' makes the most remarkable jumping saddle ever known. |
| 16in. - £25. |
17in. - £27.. 10s. |
18in. - £29.. 10s. |
| All Purpose Model |
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| 'FIBRESPR1NG' is particularly suited to cross-country work and yet for dressage gives 'contact' never before experienced. |
| 16in. - £27-10s |
17in. - £30 |
18in. - £32 |
We service every saddle free for 12 months
GROOMING EQUIPMENT
| Brushes |
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| Body, from 6/6 |
Dandy, from 4/6 |
Water, from 9/- |
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| Combs |
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| Curry, web back 2 6 |
Jockey pattern 3/ - |
Holson junior 6/9 |
Full size 10/6 |
| Mane-combs |
from 2/- |
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| Hoofpicks |
plain and anchor shape 1/9 |
folding 4/6 |
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| Sweat scrapers |
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| Circular brass 7/6 |
Circular brass with rubber9/6 |
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| Stable rubbers |
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| Irish linen 6/6 |
Sponges 2/6 |
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| Soap, Oil and Preparations |
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| Saddle soap |
per large tin |
2/ - |
| Glycerine soap |
per bar |
3/- |
| Ko-cho-line |
per tin |
3/6 |
| Neatsfoot oil |
per pint |
3/6 |
| Hoof oil |
per pint |
3/6 |
| RIDING WHIPS |
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| Thread covered |
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36M |
10/- |
30 |
16/6 |
| Thread covered, with leather handles |
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7A |
11/6 |
38M |
12/6 |
| Leather covered |
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1A |
15/3 |
10A |
17/- |
| Plaited leather covered |
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39A |
27/6 |
107M |
27/6 |
| Race whip |
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S51 |
29/6 |
| Polo whips |
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S201 |
27/6 |
S202 |
25/- |
S203 |
52/6 |
| Dressage whips |
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S170 |
27/6 |
S171 |
22/6 |
| Riding canes |
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Whangee |
5/- |
Plain leather covered |
15/- |
Hunting Crops with unbreakable hook, leather covered,E.P.mount, leather keeper
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354C |
37/6 |
| for Ladies |
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354H |
40/6 |
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351H |
52/6 |
| Hunting Thongs |
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| Melton plait |
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lyd. |
15/- |
1¼ yd. |
19/0 |
1½ yd. |
21/6 |
| Ladies' Beaufort |
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lyd. |
19/6 |
1¼ yd. |
22/6 |
1½ yd. |
25/- |
| Men’s Beaufort |
1¼ yd. |
25/- |
1½ yd. |
27/6 |
1¾ yd. |
30/- |
2yd. |
35/- |
| Headcollar ropes |
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3/6
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| Hunting Horns |
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25/-
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57/6
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59/6
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| Lip Straps |
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flat 3/9
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round 5/6
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| Martingales |
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Pony |
Cob |
F.S. |
| Irish |
6/6 |
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| Running |
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27/6 |
31/6 |
35/6 |
| Standing |
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19/6 |
22/6 |
27/6 |
| Nosebands |
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| Cavesson |
Best quality |
18/6 |
22/6 |
24/- |
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Special quality |
13/6 |
17/6 |
19/6 |
| Drop, lined, leather supported (not spike rings) stitched front |
39/6 |
42/- |
42/- |
| Grackle |
32/6 |
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| Kineton, stainless steel cheeks |
49/6 |
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| Reins |
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½-in. |
⅝-in.
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¾-in. |
⅞-in. |
1-in. |
| Best quality |
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19/6 |
22/- |
25/6 |
27/6 |
30/- |
| Plaited nylon |
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37/6 |
39/6 |
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| Plaited cord |
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41/ - |
44/- |
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| Connectors for use on Pelhambit |
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17/6 |
| Leading, nylon web |
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15/- |
| Lungeing, web |
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35/- |
| Stirrup Irons, P.S.O.B. |
3½-in. |
41/6 |
4-in. |
43/6 |
4½-in. |
48/6 |
5-in. |
52/6 |
| Peacock, stainless steel |
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49/6 |
| Stirrup Leathers, best quality |
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1-in. |
29/6 |
1⅛-in. |
37/6 |
1¼-in. |
39/6 |
| Polo, red chrome buffalo, stainless steel buckles |
guaranteed unbreakable |
1⅛-in. |
55/- |
1¾-in. |
57/6 |
| Stirrup Treads, Aggrippa, moulded rubber, per pair |
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18/6 |
| Summer Sheets |
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from |
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70/- |
| Waterproof Sheets |
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from |
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70/- |
| Tail covers |
Baghide |
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42/6 |
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Rugging |
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25/6 |
| Wither pads, woollen |
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15/- |
Repairs carried out by Craftsmen in our own Workshops. Prompt and Speedy Service.
| RIDING WEAR |
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Men's |
81/6 |
Ladies' |
71/- |
| Riding Boilers |
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| Hunt Caps |
Triple Crown |
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72 /6 |
| Hallmaster |
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Men's |
105/- |
Ladies’ |
94/6 |
| Jockey Crash skulls |
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48/9 |
| Gloves |
Yellow string |
Childrens |
7/6 |
Cadets |
8/- |
Ladies |
9/5 |
| Monte Carlo |
Crochet back on Cape |
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32/- |
| Firmagrip |
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Mens |
19/6 |
Ladies |
17/6 |
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| Jackets |
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Superior quality Tweed Jackets from 82/- for children and 105/- for Ladies |
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Superior quality Black or Blue cavalry twill, |
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36-in. |
165/ - |
30-in. |
130/- |
32-in. |
139/6 |
34-in. |
154/- |
38-in. |
170/- |
| Jodhpurs by Harry Hall |
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Cavalry twill, leather strapping, etc. |
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Childrens |
90/- |
Girls |
100/- |
Boys |
105/- |
Maids |
115/- |
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Youths |
125/- |
Ladies |
130/- |
Mens |
147/- |
| Riding Macs. |
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Bleasdale full length or ¾-length |
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for Ladies |
119/6 |
for Men |
132/6 |
| Stocks |
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White pique, ready-tied |
19/9 |
untied |
18/3 |
White marcella, untied |
23/6 |
| Ties, Wool, Pony Club |
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6/6 |
We stock and thoroughly recommend Harry Hall Riding Breeches & Jodhpurs. Available in stock sizes or through a fine made-to-measure service.
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BITS AND PIECES
A bit is usually made of metal. It is the part of the bridle, which passes through the horse's mouth; the reins are attached to it, and with the help of these the rider controls the horse.
Bits have been made in a wide variety of styles, some of them combining several different features, which are designed to influence the horse to behave in a particular way. A bit which is jointed in the middle of the mouthpiece has a nut-cracker type of action on the mouth, A "mullen mouth" (curved), or a straight mouthpiece, is less severe because it allows the horse to take part of the pressure of the bit on his tongue. The port or raised section in the middle of some bits allows room for the tongue, with the pressure of the bit being taken on the sides of the mouth. A bit with an exceptionally high port would exert pressure on the roof of the horse's mouth, which is considered very cruel today.
We do not know when man first learned how to make horses work for him, but nearly two and a half thousand years ago Xenophon, a Greek, wrote about horsemanship and mentioned several different types of bit. Some had unbroken mouthpieces, while others were jointed in the middle; some had sharp spikes on the mouthpiece. By the 16th century, European knights were riding large strong horses and they used some very severe bits to control these animals.
Some had a port in the middle of the mouthpiece, and some had spikes on the mouthpiece with which the rider could punish a disobedient horse.
Modern bits are descended from these earlier patterns, but are much more humane. There are five main types of bit in use today:-
The Snaffle is a very simple form of bit; it acts on the corner of the mouth and has the effect of making the horse raise his head.
The
Weymouth
bit is used to make the horse lower his head and bring his nose in towards his chest. Often it is used in a double bridle with a snaffle bit (which is called a Bridoon or Bradoon in this context). The long sidepieces of the
Weymouth
to which the reins are attached act as a kind of lever to bring the horse's head in.
The Pelham bit resembles a cross between a snaffle and a
Weymouth
or double bridle. It is usually used with two reins; pressure applied to the top rein makes it act as a snaffle, while pressure on the bottom rein has a curbing effect similar to the
Weymouth
.
The Gag bit acts like a snaffle, but in a more exaggerated way, and is useful for a horse that carries his head too low.
The Bitless bridle acts by combining pressure on the horse's nose with pressure on the curb groove under the lower jaw.
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