Sue Carson grew up in the rolling hills of the Derbyshire Dales, a countryside girl from a non-horsey family whose passion for horses quickly changed everything. From her very first riding lesson at four years old, Sue was captivated. By nine, she had her own pony, Frenchie, and was competing across the Pony Club circuit. Her father Gordon soon embraced her passion too, opening a large tack shop beside the family’s car showroom to support her growing equestrian journey.

Throughout her youth, Sue threw herself into every discipline including showing, showjumping, eventing and even side-saddle, gaining invaluable experience training and exercising horses for local dealers. These early years instilled an understanding of balance, freedom and connection between horse and rider that would later become the foundation of her life’s work.

Sue went on to enjoy a highly successful competitive career, becoming one of the youngest judges on the BSPS panel, teaching for the Pony Club and later competing at International Grand Prix level in dressage. She is also a List 1 Dressage Judge, Freestyle to Music Judge and Para Judge (equivalent to a USA ‘S’ Judge), bringing a level of technical expertise and insight that few can match.

Her deep understanding of biomechanics, balance and performance in the saddle shaped her approach to design, helping her recognise the crucial link between a horse’s movement and the rider’s position.

Though she initially studied as a Farm Secretary and built a career in recruitment, Sue’s passion for horses remained constant. With Gordon’s encouragement, she turned that passion into purpose, founding Sue Carson Saddles to solve one of the industry’s greatest challenges: finding a saddle that truly fits both horse and rider.

Together, Sue and Gordon travelled to Walsall, the historic home of English saddlery, and became one of the first companies to adopt the Flair adjustable air system. This groundbreaking innovation provided pressure-free comfort and adaptability, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology in a way that was revolutionary at the time.

Over three decades later, Sue Carson Saddles stands among the world’s most forward-thinking saddlery brands. Every saddle is handcrafted in England by Master Saddlers, built from the finest leathers and materials, and features our signature adjustable air system, continually refined through years of research, rider feedback and real-world competition experience.

Sue’s international Grand Prix background, judging expertise and hands-on saddle fitting for Olympians, international dressage competitors and elite event riders continue to inform every design decision we make. Her practical knowledge of how subtle adjustments affect a horse’s way of going has driven continuous innovation in fit, comfort and performance.

Today, Sue leads ongoing development alongside a talented design and technical team, pioneering the next generation of air technology, lightweight tree designs and ergonomic panel systems that further enhance horse comfort and rider connection.

Under the leadership of Daniel Laughton, Head of International Development and Co-Founder of Sue Carson Saddles USA, the brand’s heritage of British craftsmanship now reaches riders across America, delivering the same meticulous quality, innovative design and dedication to performance that began in the Derbyshire Dales.

At Sue Carson Saddles, we believe that comfort creates confidence for horse, for rider and for the partnership between them.