Harnessing heritage: The City’s equine legacy

Pictured above: The Saddlers’ Clerk addresses the gathering

On Friday 12th September the Guild of Young Freemen organised an evening of integration with four of the City’s most distinguished equine Livery Companies for a unique celebration of London’s rich heritage of horse and craft.

Those invited Companies were the Worshipful Companies of Farriers, Loriners, Saddlers, and Coachmakers & Coach Harness Makers.

By kind permission of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, the evening was set in the historic surroundings of Saddlers’ Hall. This special evening united many members of the Guild of Young Freemen with the equine companies to find out more about our crafts, trades and traditions.

Many members of the Guild go on to seek livery companies that attract their interest and admiration. These type of integration evenings allow young Freemen to learn more about the Livery Companies of the City of London.

The evening featured a convivial reception followed by a lively discussion with the Masters and members of these Worshipful Companies, exploring the enduring legacy of trades that once shaped the very rhythm of City life, from forge and tack to carriage and saddle.

Whether preserving ancient skills or adapting them for the modern world, the Companies represented remain proud custodians of a timeless connection between craftsmanship, community, and the noble horse.

The gathering was addressed by the Master Young Freemen Rueben Braden-Bell, Master Farrier John Chilman, Clerk to the Saddlers Brigadier Philip Napier, and Master Loriner Nick Bensted-Smith.

Last, but not least, Hon Court Assistant David Barrett attended to represent the Master Coachmaker. He gave an overview of our Company and emphasized that the equine theme very much continues to run through the Company despite our adoption of the industries that have superseded horse-drawn carriages, namely the automotive and aerospace worlds. David advised the gathering that we are proud to have in our membership carriage builders and renovators, carriage driving and horse-riding members, makers of horse boxes, horse weighing machines and other related equipment. Our charity strongly supports the leather harness making craft, in particular, students at Capel Manor College.