LEONARD COOMBE MASTER SADDLERS

LEONARD COOMBE MASTER SADDLERS we would like to think is more than a tack shop to our customers. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff  know a lot of our customers and  their horses. The family run business is over 200yrs old, making us one of the oldest saddlers in the country. Having been established for such a long time we are trusted and well known, customers not only keep coming back but recommend us to others.

LEONARD COOMBE MASTER SADDLERS moved into it's new purpose built premises in January 2006 and has gone from strength to strength. The new shop is a massive 5,500 sq ft, making it one of the largest Master Saddlers in the country stocking more than ever before. We carry thousands and thousands of produts for horse and rider. As we are not a feed store our massive floor space is dedicated to riding wear, horse equipment and horse care products.

All our staff own their own horses with the exception of one of the partners, Edith, but she grew up in the business and has been working here for over 30 years so there is not much she doesn’t know about equestrian products. Many of the staff compete their horses and show to a high level while others are just happy hackers. Our staff love equestrianism and it shines through in customer service. Whether you are a person who enjoys owning horses, competing or quiet hacks in the country we aim to make you feel  welcome and offer advice to help you find the equipment most suited to your needs. For example because a bit can make a world of difference to a horses performance a member of our team will not  just sell a you a bit, but will offer to explain how it should fit, how it should be used and why they feel the bit should work for a particular horse and rider. We also offer the customer the chance to try a bit using our hire service.

THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS

The Society of Master Saddlers (UK) Ltd was formed in 1966 to serve as a Trade Association for the craft retail saddler but has since embraced all aspects of the Trade. The Society's aims are to safeguard the quality of work, services, training and qualifications of all those who work in the saddlery trade from manufacturers and retailers through to individual craftspeople and saddle fitters.

www.mastersaddlers.co.uk

BETA

 BETA is a world-renowned trade association of professional companies.

Since 1979, BETA has launched many initiatives, to the benefit of all in the equestrian world. Some of these include:

• Encouraging professionalism throughout the trade
• Establishing safety standards
• Providing training courses and information leaflets
• Commissioning in-depth research
• The promotion of riding

www.beta-uk.org

 LEONARD COOMBE MASTER SADDLERS is registered with both THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS and BETA.

LEONARD COOMBE MASTER SADDLERS HISTORY

LEONARD COOMBE MASTER SADDLERS has been based in the  market town of Newton Abbot, Devon since it was first established over 200years ago. Over the years it has been situated in many locations around the town.

Having been by owned by various previous saddlers Thomas Coombe purchased the business in 1881 as a saddlers and tobacconist. At that time it was just called COOMBE until in the early 1900's his son Leonard took over the business and it became Leonard Coombe. Leonard made his mark by being the first saddlers to give employees paid holiday.

In 1937 Leonard Coombe died and his widow kept the business running employing a team of three saddlers. Their daughter then married John Ligthelm a young Dutchman who settled here after the second world war.

John Ligthelm was born in Voorburg Holland. When in May 1940 Holland surrendered to the German Army, John and his brother joined the Dutch resistance. By 1942 the brothers were forced to flee Holland as it was far to dangerous for them to remain there. When reaching England in 1943 they joined the free Dutch forces. It wasn't until 1947 and his 'demob' that he settled in Newton Abbot and took over the saddlery business from Mrs Coombe. 

Mr Ligthelm's daughters became involved in the business, Edith in the running of the shop and Karen as a saddler. In 1981 Karen was one of the first group of saddlers to qualify as a Society Of Master Saddlers (UK) Ltd qualified saddle fitter.

Before his death in 2000 John Ligthelm's youngest daughter Liz joined Edith and Karen in running the business. Today it is still very much a family business with Edith's daughter Joanne working as shop manager.

OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY 9AM-5:30PM

TELEPHONE: 01626 204099 

EMAIL: mail@leonardcoombe.co.uk

13 HIGHWEEK STREET, NEWTON ABBOT, DEVON. TQ12 1TG