VIDEO: Saddler meets Princess Anne to receive top award

JPCT 050613 Rachel Davis, 22, has received an award from Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace for her work in saddlery. Photo by Derek Martin

Rachel Davie from Storrington picked up The Worshipful Company of Saddlers Award 2013 for her extra curricular activities during her bridle saddle training at Capel Manor College in London.

The 22-year-old currently works at Gatleys Agricultural Merchant in Storrington where she started a saddler department.

She said: “The City and Guild are the awarding body and they recognise people who have made achievements whilst training.

“They chose me because I set up the saddlers at Gatleys.”

While performing bridle work, creating leather accessories and making repairs, Miss Davie was excited to discover she would be travelling to Buckingham Palace to meet Princess Anne for her work.

She said: “It was a mixture of nerves and excitement, but it was a fantastic day.”

“The palace was amazing. You walk in and there’s red carpets everywhere. It’s how you’d imagine it, I also spoke to Princess Anne in the gallery.”

For more details on Gatleys visit: http: www.gatleys.co.uk