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Kent Saddlery Journey
2011 marked the 21st year of Kent Saddlery travel to the Outback, and Lyle and Helen celebrated the “coming of age” by simply appreciating doing one more trip, and meeting up with friends and customers on 117 Outback stations.
Our travels began in 1991, when we set off for the Kimberley with a Land Cruiser and trailer, our four sons, Ben, Daniel, Jamie and Paul, and pet dog, Jock. Ben had completed year 10, and was offsiding for Lyle; Daniel, Jamie and Paul were doing Distance Education with their mum. Our oldest daughter Leah was working and stayed behind, and our youngest daughter Jessica was born that year in Derby, while we were camped at Camballin (Liveringa). We spent several months in the Kimberley, and Lyle and Ben were kept very busy with saddle repairs. Lyle learned a lot about saddles as he dismantled and repaired them, and our sojourn to the North West was the beginning of the saddle making business, and annual trips to Outback cattle stations. The trip was timely, as it coincided with a “fender saddle revolution” in the North of Australia. The benefits of fender saddles were being realized, and Lyle had developed a style of fender saddle which proved to be rugged, low maintenance, comfortable for horse and rider; ideal for station use.
Land Cruiser and Trailer at Camballin Station (now Liveringa),
West Kimberleys, 1991
Gone are the days of the Land Cruiser and trailer, and two successive trucks and gooseneck trailers. Since 2008, we carry supplies of Kent saddles, leather gear, and other products in our custom made truck shop, and in 2011 we also took the truck to the Warwick Rodeo, and The Man From Snowy River Festival at Jindabyne, NSW.
Kent Saddlery continues to grow and change, with increased online shop sales, and a growing demand, Australia wide, for our custom made saddles. We continue to commit to improve and update our website, which showcases our complete product range, and provides access to photos, stories, articles and updates.
The Kent/Furness ranks increased by one in September 2011 when Josh and Leah, Naima and Ena were happy to welcome their daughter and sister, Aida Simone into the family. Whenever a birthday is celebrated at Kent Saddlery, there’s a growing number of volunteers, ready to help with blowing out the candles!
Jacob with Ethan, Naima with Aida, Chad, Dustin & Ena
Since 1988, when Kent Saddlery was established as a business, we’ve learned a lot from the challenges associated with operating a small family business. It’s an ongoing process, and it’s been necessary to adapt to changes in family circumstances, and the marketplace.
Our focus is continually directed to customer service and satisfaction, and we take seriously our commitment to “go the extra mile.” We’re convinced that successful business relies on good relationships, from within the business, and with customers. We keep working on this principle, and it’s a privilege to have the loyalty and support of colleagues and customers. Our twenty-first trip to the Outback magnifies the significance of these valued relationships, and we’re grateful to you all for your involvement in the Kent Saddlery journey.
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