Barnsby defunct.

[Equibrit]

[h=1]http://www.equestriantradenews.com/etnbreaking.html

SADDLE MAKER IN ADMINISTRATION[/h] 17th June, 2014.

Jabez Cliff Limited, best known for its Barnsby saddlery brand, has been placed into administration it was announced today (17 June).

The Walsall based business has closed with 26 staff made redundant.

Andy McGill, of accountants Smith & Williamson, has been appointed as administrator for the 221 year old company. He said that moves to restructure the business had proved unsuccessful.

“We are working to sell the assets of the business, including the respected Barnsby brand, in order to maximise the realisation for creditors including employees,” he added.

Read the full story in the July issue of ETN.

[poltroon]

Oh, crud. That is very sad.

[alicen]

Rats! I’ve ridden in many a Barnsby in my day, still have a Raven dressage saddle. They were a classic.

[js]

Bummer, I’ve had two Barnsby saddles, still have my Luxus. Great saddles that will last a lifetime. Guess I’ll hang onto mine.

[msj]

Very sad. I had a wonderful Barnsby jumping saddle and a nice dressage saddle in years gone by.

[Simkie]

What a bummer. I loved my Barnsby saddle!

[Renae]

This is sad news. Barnsby was one of the few quality makers of saddle seat saddles left. At one point they made several different models (I have a Barnsby LaCroix), but in recent years have just been making the Shively.

[TWH_Girl]

Hanging onto my Barnsby cutback…love it. Very sad though…

[sdlbredfan]

This is sad news, indeed.

[red_mares]

[QUOTE=Renae;7637490]
This is sad news. Barnsby was one of the few quality makers of saddle seat saddles left. At one point they made several different models (I have a Barnsby LaCroix), but in recent years have just been making the Shively.[/QUOTE]

And looking at their website, you’d never know it.

It’s a shame.

I wonder if Mom’s 60 year old cutback saddle will suddenly acquire some value?

[Zu_Zu]

OH ! How very sad ! I love my Barnsby saddles !

OH! How very sad :no:

I love my Barnsby saddles ``` one was my mother’s and is an antique of 75 years minimum ~

So disturbing to read this news !

[caffeinated]

So sad My very first saddle was a Barnsby, and I still have one.

[SmartAlex]

My first saddle was the family Barnsby park saddle from the 30s/40s. We still have it. In fact, we used it as the base for the coffin arrangement at my grandmother’s funeral. Sounds morbid but the florist did an awesome job. RIP Barnsby

[Equibrit]

It is very sad, as they were the place that a lot of well known saddlers did their apprenticeships. I once got a tour of the factory and got to meet all the old codgers (including “old” Mr Cliff) that had been there all their lives. They were all very proud of what they did. The day I went they were making saddles for the Household Cavalry. They were the kind that were raised off the horses back, and as far as I know they were the last to make those.

[cowgirljenn]

I loved the Barnsby saddle seat saddle I used to have - and kick myself all the time for selling it.

[mvp]

So sad to see an old British saddle maker go belly up. I have some Barnsby equipment that is nice, plain-spoken, good quality. It’s the opposite of the $5K, calf-covered Frenchie. The saddle is beautiful to look at, but might just fit one horse and certainly won’t last that long; very “flash in the pan” in comparison to what old British makers like Barnsby did. In any case, I expect my Barnsby stuff to last for the length of my riding career with good care. And I’ll clean this tack with a bit of nostalgia and reverence.

T

[Fox_Wood_Farm]

How very sad. I have a Barnsby Aurora jumping saddle. I love it but it doesn’t fit the current beastie. I also have 2 very nice Barnsby bridles. Will keep them all.

[clint]

How sad. Their saddles were wonderful, made with very horse friendly trees and wonderful leather. I still have a jumping saddle, and I’ll be hanging on to it.

[kcmel]

[QUOTE=cowgirljenn;7638035]
I loved the Barnsby saddle seat saddle I used to have - and kick myself all the time for selling it. :([/QUOTE]

Me too. Now I have a horse it would probably fit :(.

[Renae]

[QUOTE=red mares;7637819]
And looking at their website, you’d never know it.

It’s a shame.

I wonder if Mom’s 60 year old cutback saddle will suddenly acquire some value?:D[/QUOTE]

Well the Whitman Crabtrees have certainly held their value well since Whitman went belly-up!