For those familiar with the Saddleworld business model, it is understood that the stores are independently owned and offer the best of two worlds with their own unique products, services and expertise and being part of the Saddleworld group enables each store to add a wide range of highly sought, cost effective, top quality saddlery items and horse care products that have been selected, tested and sourced from all over the world. Because Saddleworld buys in volume, the prices are hard to beat.

Saddleworld Media recently spoke to Suzanne Gibbon who manages the newest store to join the group – Shire Saddleworld.

Saddleworld Media:  Suzanne, can you tell our readers a little about your store?

Suzanne:  Sure, we are well established here at 123 Browns Plains Rd, Browns Plains in Queensland.  We were previously known, as Shire Saddlery and now we are - Shire Saddleworld.

We cater for a very diverse and interesting customer base and we like to think that we are always looking for ways to improve and continue to offer the best products, service and prices.  Ours is a family business and we understand that many of our customers work as a family team and we take pride in supporting their commercial and hobbyist interests.

Saddleworld Media:  What are your hours of business?

Suzanne:  The store is open 6 days a week - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.30am-5pm.  On Thursday we open from 9.30am-6pm and on Saturdays, we are open from 9am-4pm.

Saddleworld Media:  How many people do you have working at the store and what are their roles?

Suzanne:  As mentioned, ours is a family business and the four of us are shareholders and also have a role in running the business and working in the shop.  We all love it and our mix of talents works very well. Ross Gibbon is a Director and general advisor on business matters and new strategies. Suzanne Gibbon (that’s me) is the store manager, so I wear many hats.  I am an accredited saddle fitter and do stock purchasing and sales.  Ezra Gibbon is also an accredited saddle fitter with good product knowledge and is involved in back office administration and store sales.  Avril Gibbon is our marketing, merchandising guru, she is also involved working in the shop.  We all have separate jobs, but come together when customer service is involved – the shop is not just a business, it is our way of life.

Saddleworld Media: Tell me, how did your family get involved in a saddlery store?

Suzanne: We are all horse lovers and identified a need for an independent saddlery outlet in our area and the business developed from this idea.
Saddleworld Media:  Can you give some history about your store and the recent collaboration with Saddleworld?

Suzanne: We opened our independent store Shire Saddlery, in October 2005 at 123 Browns Plains Rd, Browns Plains, and ensured that stocked up with everyone’s favourite brands such as Ariat, Weatherbeeta, Wrangler & R.M.Williams, Wintec & Bates. A massive clearance sale drew people from far and wide and established us as a leading specialist supplier and retailer. 

In 2007 Equine influenza hit our industry very hard.  We used this time to “think outside the square” and looked to the future possibilities for the equine industry and how we could grow and evolve to keep up with the times, we went back to our valued customers and listened to what they had to say.  Over time, we have established ourselves as the place to go for a genuine expert assistance for saddle fitting and saddle purchases.

Saddleworld Media: Do you have any changes planned for the future?

Suzanne:    As mentioned, Shire Saddlery is delighted to have joined the Saddleworld Group and we are now known as Shire Saddleworld. We have worked hard to establish the business as one of Brisbane’s much loved and respected saddleries. 

We are situated on Brisbane’s south side, central to the largest equestrian riding population in Queensland, so it is important that we keep up with the latest technologies and trends if we are to maintain our edge. 

Modern retailing is more than just selling the tried and true lines.  It is important that we all engage in continuing product research and staff training so that we can offer advice. Our customers expect effective solutions and knowledgeable support.

Saddleworld gives us the chance to tap into the resources of a larger group with vast experience.  Our customers can buy with confidence knowing that Saddleworld has been retailing equestrian products in Australia since 1986 and as a result of over twenty years experience.  Saddleworld has developed an exciting range of Saddleworld exclusive brands such as Grainge, Eurohunter, Academy and Ammo. These brands represent great value for money and quality, reliable products, which are suited for all levels of riders and equestrian disciplines.  We saw the benefit of adding these products to our existing range and feel sure that our customers appreciate greater choices and very competitive prices in the Shire Saddleworld store.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Saddleworld Media: What is your favourite product in-store and why?

Suzanne:  We are very passionate about ALL of our Saddles, as there is something for everyone and every budget, so they are our favourite products!  Our specialist fitting and consultancy service gives us the opportunity to get involved and value-add by offering expert advice about the right saddle for horse and rider.  Next to the horse, the saddle is the most expensive item of equipment and it is important that all factors are taken into account when making recommendations.  It is crucial to get this right for our customers, so they can enjoy every ride and progress with their horse’s training.

We have two fully accredited saddle fitters in our store and both take enormous pride in helping customers to make the right decision.  Suzanne and Ezra Gibbon have a combined experience of almost 20 years and are accredited with ASFA and Saddleworld.   We really love talking saddles and solving saddle fit problems.  With so many saddles available on the market and each offering different and specialised features, the right choice requires careful expert consideration and our passion has made us one of the most trusted saddle fitting consultants in our part of Australia. 

We do have a little secret with one of our products that we will share; it is our Lycra Skinny Hood with zip.  We have especially sourced this best fit hoody … and compared it with everything on the market!  The quality and fit make it valued at $79.99 but we offer it for only $49.99!  We send this hoody all over Australia and receive glowing feedback from very happy horse owners.   This is a nice feeling as it serves to show the power of “word of mouth” recommendations.
                               
Saddleworld Media Do you have any specials on or coming up in the future?                                                                                                                                                                   

Suzanne:  We always run specials and promotions in the store, especially essentials like wormers. We offer the best rewards club and we have our biggest promotion during October each year.  This is our birthday month and we give customers the chance to win to the value of their purchases, making their shopping trip free. 

Christmas is always a special time for retailing and we are very pleased that our range offers good quality; budget priced stocking fillers right through to a special keepsake gift for a special person or horse on the shopping list.

Saddleworld Media: How are you involved within your local community (competitions, sponsorships or donations)?                                                                                                    
Suzanne:  Over the past nine years we have been one of the most active sponsors for many riding clubs and equestrian groups in our region.  We also run saddle-fitting workshops for our local clubs, education in this area are very important for the development of equestrian sport.  We have attended camps for over 70 riders and their horses and thoroughly enjoyed working through saddle fitting demonstrations and problem solving specific to the equestrian activity. The riders are amazed by the benefit of small adjustments and to see the immediate improvement in their riding and the horses’ acceptance and attitude. 
                                                                                                                                                               Saddleworld Media:  What is your most memorable in-store moment (e.g. a super happy customer, dress up day, in-store appearance, any one famous visited your store?)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Suzanne:  Our customers reward us every day, but there have been some very touching moments when our customers drop in a surprise for us in the form of gifts, flowers, chocolates as a thank you for our service. They are the most memorable moments that we will take with us, when a customer thanks us for doing what we love.

Saddleworld Media: Do you have any sponsored riders?                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Suzanne:   We are in the process of selecting sponsored riders to join Team Shire Saddleworld.  So riders who are succeeding in their chosen discipline should not hesitate to send us an application.                                                                                                                

Saddleworld Media: What differentiates your store from other Saddlery stores and what makes you unique?                                                                                                              

Suzanne:  Our store is the fastest growing saddlery in the region with the advantage of supplying a wide range of products for all horse owners from the one location.   So you can find saddle brands like Thorowgood, Pessoa, Prestige, Tekna, Eurohunter, Ammo, Stubben, Kieffer and many more popular brands under one roof, with the advantage of two experienced saddle fitters available to offer advice.  No other store in Brisbane offers this variety or our trusted expertise and advice.
Saddleworld Media: What else would you like people to know about your store?                                                                                                                                                                  
Suzanne:   As a Saddleworld store, we pride ourselves with the highest integrity when servicing our clients’ needs.  It’s our priority to find the best fit and the best saddle for the individual’s requirements, but don’t take our word for it you only need to listen to our customer’s testimonials.  We are fitting the World’s best brands, so our customers can...ENJOY EVERY RIDE.

Saddleworld Media: Thankyou Suzanne, you have given Saddleworld readers a great insight to Shires Saddleworld; we wish you all the best for this new phase of business.

Suzanne:       We really appreciate the chance to share our exciting new plans with Saddleworld friends and our local community. Thankyou to the Saddleworld Support Centre and Saddleworld Media for this opportunity to tell our story.