40 under 40: Meet Christie Farren

Every Monday, we are celebrating one of our 40 under 40 makers.

This week we are talking to Christie Farren, a saddler for The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Let's get to know a bit more about her life in the Army with our Q&A.

Tell us a bit about what you do?

I am a saddler at The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. We have a team of 5 in the workshop and our day consists of repair and maintenance of the military harness. We cover a variety of roles including Riding, teaching and transport. In a normal working day, we repair and maintain: saddles, headcollars (military bridles) and the military harness. In 2021, I was privileged to win the Abbey England Scholarship, I thoroughly enjoyed sharing some of the work I have produced and encouraged me to start establishing my own brand of ‘C F Equine’ Within my small business I am extremely passionate about bridle and bit fitting. I enjoy the difference a correctly fitted bridle and bit can make to a horses’ performance.

How did you get into making leather goods?

I joined the King's Troop wanting to be a saddler. I studied A level Art in high school and wanted to be able to combine equestrian with craft, and saddlery seemed to be the perfect option! Before joining the Army, I worked as a rider on an event yard, which gave me a huge insight to the vast array of saddles and bridles available on the market. I joined the Army 8 years ago, after completing my British Horse Society instructors’ course I felt like I needed a change of direction with a long-lasting career (it’s true when they say you don’t bounce when you get older!). I started my Saddlery Apprenticeship in 2018, I have recently completed the Millennium Apprenticeship Scheme to become a Qualified Saddler and I am now looking forward to completing the bridle and saddle fitting exams in 2023 under the Societys’ Mentorship Scheme.

What is your favourite product to make?

My favourite product to make is the animal masks. I decided to make the horse mask as part of a military exam in 2021. Within the exam you are required to make a variety of military pieces and an 'item of your own choice’ I decided to make something completely different to what we normally work with on a day-to-day basis. I enjoy each stage of the construction. The cutting out is quite challenging due to the intricate designs and patterns, It has taught me to keep my knife very sharp and take my time when cutting the leather. I have found stitching of the masks tough due to them being 3D, you can rarely hold the leather in the stitching clams securely to stitch the pieces together. I had to develop my own style of stitching using a variety of stitches whilst being secured by tacs.

What do you love most about working with leather?

I love working with leather, especially when measuring and constructing bridles. Being able to have the ability to select different colours and textures of leather which will compliment the colour of the horse and the shape of the horses’ head, I enjoy studying the huge amount of colours and types of padding leather available to the customer's requirement; usually to match their matchy, matchy set! 

What are your next goals?

My next goals for 2023 is to become a Society of Master saddlers qualified Harness Maker, I am looking forward to submitting my set of show driving harness which I have been making this year. Once I have completed all of the Society exams I am looking forward to working towards my Qualified Bridle and saddle fitting exams. I am hoping to have more time to concentrate on my own business and being able to launch my own website. I am also extremely keen in show jumping with my 2 horses and looking forward to a successful 2023 representing the British Army Equitation and to hopefully qualify for the military show jumping finals at London International Horse Show.  

What advice would you give to someone who's thinking about becoming a leather worker or who has just started out?

My advice would be trying to work with as many people you can to gain experience. There is a huge community now on social media and people are always offering advice and help on groups and forums. Many who are professionals within their trade share and upload photos and videos of them producing items, these are a good steppingstone to gain an insight or inspiration of what you would like to achieve in the future.

What does it mean to you to be included in the 40 under 40 list?

It is a huge honour to be included in the 40 under 40 list. After winning the Abbey England Scholarship in 2021 I have had continuous support and advice from Abbey. This has given me the confidence to showcase more of my work and start to develop my business as a profession rather than a hobby. I am also keen to learn more about the other successful leatherworkers on the 40 under 40 list.

How important do you think it is to keep traditional techniques alive in the modern world?

I think it is extremely important to keep traditional techniques alive today I have learnt the traditional techniques are the building block to every item I have made. They have taught me that preparation is key to ensure the best quality product can be achieved in the most effective way. I also believe it is important to ensure you don’t feel restricted to the traditional techniques and you feel free to experiment and explore new ideas. Within time, you will gain confidence to explore and challenge but it is important to remember the basics.

What have you done to keep relevant in a digital age?

I try my best at keeping up to date on social media platforms, with the busy year we have had within the military I have found it extremely difficult to keep on top of my business page. Luckily I have kept on updating my personal page so people realise how busy I am and I haven’t disappeared!  I am looking forward to being able to have time in 2023 to share more of my exciting life not only as an equestrian but as a small business! I am also wanting to launch my own website and hold stock which can be sold easily online.

What is the biggest challenge to becoming successful in your discipline?

The biggest challenge I have found personally is I want to do everything within the leather industry! I have had to focus my time very strictly to achieve the best in everything I have done in 2022. Unfortunately, the show jumping had to take a back seat in order to pass all of my apprenticeship exams whilst being away for a full ceremonial season with work. I have also had to be strict on how much ‘outside work’ I am taking on in order to keep focus on my apprenticeship. I get very excited when I see the latest bridle or the latest noseband and want to have a go at making it! I am excited for 2023 to focus on the fitting side of the industry, which will allow me to plan my time even more easily to fit many of the items I yet wish to make!

To join this network of great makers, please follow Christie's Instagram page HERE