In Memoriam: Paul Belton

A Very Sad Farewell to a Pioneer in Saddle Design and a True Gentleman, Paul Belton was a classically trained horseman and engineer who revolutionised saddle design in the UK and far beyond. He died suddenly on 28 August, aged 82, less than 40 days after the loss of his beloved wife, Sherry.

A lifelong rider combined with his engineering background, Paul had a unique understanding of the requirements of both horse and rider, and of the profound impact a saddle can have on the ridden horse. He was the first saddle designer to place the welfare, comfort and biomechanics of the horse at the heart of the design. Few people have had a greater influence on the vision and development of the modern saddle industry. Paul designed his own saddle trees and firmly believed, quite rightly, that the foundation of a well-fitted saddle was a well-fitted tree - a principle that remained central to his work throughout his career.

He worked alongside equestrian masters in his pursuit of perfection, developing lifelong friendships with Klaus Balkenhol, Dr Wilfried Bechtolsheimer and Ernst Bachinger, amongst many others. He had a deep passion for the Spanish Riding School of Vienna and regularly visited throughout his life, constantly seeking knowledge and a greater understanding in pursuit of the perfect unity between horse and rider.

Paul founded Albion Saddlemakers in 1985 and, together with Sherry, built it into an internationally respected brand, until its sale to the Lim Group in 2022. Albion became the trusted technical partner to many Olympic dressage and event riders across Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, USA, Canada and beyond.

Paul also served as President of the Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) in 2000 and was instrumental, through his work on the committee, in the development of the SMS saddle fitting qualification.

Paul had a brilliant mind, a wonderfully dry sense of humour, and above all, he was creative, kind, thoughtful and generous with his knowledge. He was a true gentleman and leaves a remarkable legacy that will influence the industry for many years to come.

Paul is survived by his beloved horse, Fabrento (aka Eric, pictured above), and was Dad to Richard, Sarah and Anna, and Stepdad to Alex.

He will be sorely missed by all who knew him — for his inspiration, his wisdom, his kindness and, of course, his sense of humour and endless mickey-taking.

A celebration of the lives of Paul and Sherry will be held on 23 October at Walsall Town Hall as part of the SMS Expo.

For further details, please email: sarah@nutrientneutral.com