In between a busy fitting schedule, Bronwyn Gurr met with us for a quick catch up.
- Name: Bronwyn Gurr.
- Nicknames: Bron.
- Job title at Western Shoppe: Master Saddle Fitter and Sales Manager at Western Shoppe Hillcrest.
- Give three words that best describe yourself:
Honest, perfectionist, reliable.
- Give us a brief history on your riding journey. Childhood, disciplines, what is your involvement with horses now etc.?
I started riding at the age of 8 years old. My first horse was Rival, a THB whom I got off the track. I was 12 at the time and he was 3. It was a rocky start with lots of falls but with the help of my dear friend Steve Chalom, I managed to make a good go of showjumping and made it up to JA. I competed in the KZN team for a couple of years. I also won the Epol Natal Champs as well as SA Champs in Cape Town.
- Do you have a four-legged equine friend/s of your own? Tell us more.
I currently don’t have a horse as working full-time at Western Shoppe and having a 7 year old daughter take up all of my time.
- How did you find yourself in the saddle fitting and equestrian trade?
I previously worked at a vet practice for a few years and when a position came available for a rep in the Hillcrest branch I applied. Being a rep I had to train to saddle fit. I found it a very fulfilling and challenging part of the job. To help a horse who is so unhappy to be completely pain free and happy again is so rewarding.
- Qualifications:
I am Master Saddlery qualified, Bates qualified and Prestige qualified.
- Why do you love your job?
It is all about happy horses and happy clients.
- Who do you or have you fitted for? We don’t mind name dropping.
I have fitted for Natasha Brown, Evan Anderson, Martin Minette, Sarah Perkins, to name a few.
- Favourite saddle at the moment?
My favourite dressage saddles at the moment are the PDS Hester saddles. They give the best freedom of the shoulder. My favourite jumping saddle has to be the Prestige Arezzo or the Prestige Paris D flock. When it comes to GP the best in my opinion is the Prestige GP but if that is not in the price range then I do like the Bates GP as it is so versatile.
- Lastly, what is the one piece of advice or tip you would want to share with any and every horse owner with regards to their horse and its saddle?
Should you feel that your saddle is not fitting, please call a saddle fitter in ASAP and don’t wait until your horse has a sore back. Some of the things you can look out for: If your horse stops striding out, or won’t walk down a hill, and if someone notices your saddle is bouncing behind… all these are indicators that your saddle may not fit.
Bronwyn Gurr fits Joanne Atterbury’s Usquebaugh with a Prestige Roma:
