Dragonfly Saddlery was started in 1979 by Sue and Richard Paine. Both are City and Guilds qualified saddlers, gaining their qualifications in 1981 and 1983 respectively. When the lease expired in 2015, it gave Richard the opportunity to think about retirement. The girls moved on, travelling the world and settling into their new careers. A house sale followed, along with a move to the west country with horses and dogs, settling into rural life in Devon. Sue is now working independently as a saddle fitter, alongside being appointed as a bridle and bitting consultant for Horse Bit Fit, covering Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, both businesses dovetailing together beautifully. The range of saddles and accessories include Thorowgood, Kent & Masters, John Whitaker, Harry Dabbs, Loxley by Bliss. Bliss of London, Amerigo and Prestige.
Starting small, firstly in the cellar of their High Street cottage in Hurstpierpoint, then taking over the front room as well, the business grew rapidly, necessitating the move to retail premises in the adjoining village of Ditchling in 1986. In 2009, the business expanded again, taking over the magnificent victorian Goods Shed adjacent to Hassocks Station. This gave the business more room for display, allowed the expansion of goods stocked, expanding into feed and bedding and an having an extensive private car park. Daughters Holly and Laura also joined, making it truly a family business.
Starting small, firstly in the cellar of their High Street cottage in Hurstpierpoint, then taking over the front room as well, the business grew rapidly, necessitating the move to retail premises in the adjoining village of Ditchling in 1986. In 2009, the business expanded again, taking over the magnificent victorian Goods Shed adjacent to Hassocks Station. This gave the business more room for display, allowed the expansion of goods stocked, expanding into feed and bedding and an having an extensive private car park. Daughters Holly and Laura also joined, making it truly a family business.
