We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Karen Borne a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Karen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

After 23 years in my industry of manufacturing and fitting saddles to horses, I want my legacy to be that I was someone who did their best attempting to get these beautiful animals out of the pain caused by ill-fitting saddles. The way I intend to do this is by educating my clients and the next generation about the process of fitting a saddle to a horse properly.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In 1998 I left my career field of Recruiting without really knowing what I wanted to do next. I was burned out and not motivated to continue recruiting so I decided to pick up a hobby by buying thrift store jeans and bedazzling them with rhinestones to sell on eBay. Needless to say, not a profitable business but an enjoyable hobby.

During this point in my life, I purchased a horse and started learning how to ride. Frustrated that I could not find a well-fitting saddle, I decided to start my own saddle business to help myself and others who found themselves in a similar position. I went to saddle fitting school in England, met a British Saddler, and we started our collaboration that has endured for 16 years now.

From this experience, Borné Saddlery was born. I have had the pleasure of fitting horses and riders across the country and developing lasting relationships with so many wonderful people. It has truly been an unexpected blessing.

Now that I am 65 years old, it has become important to me to share as much of my knowledge and experience with riders so that they too can make informed decisions regarding the fit and function of their saddles. We are to be good stewards of these precious animals and that is really what it’s all about.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

As anything in life, you can expect to encounter resistance and even back-stabbing when you are at the top of your game. I am no exception.

For example, I was setting up for my first show at the LA Equestrian Center in Los Angeles when I came down with pink eye from an airplane flight (so embarrassing). When I arrived at the equestrian facility, I soon realized that my vendor space was assigned to the back of the facility, far away from “vendor aisle” as is customary. Why I was hidden from sight would have been a mystery had I not known that the show manager was best friends with one of my competitors.

I made a decision right then that I would handle myself with grace by not complaining or getting angry. When I saw the show manager, I thanked her for allowing me to be at the show and shook her hand. I think she was surprised by my demeanor and she asked me if I was going to set up my booth in Las Vegas (the most coveted show space ever!), and I told her that I was put on a waiting list and could not get in. She told me who to call and to “mention her name’! WELL, that was a huge payoff for holding my temper because I was allowed to set up at that Las Vegas show for 3
years. She also told me to call her anytime I wanted to set up in California and she would let me in to any show I cared to participate in.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

In two words: Customer Service

I found that you can have an excellent product but, if your customer service is inferior, you will have a hard time getting referrals, good reviews, return customers.

The public is saavy and they know that they have many options out there and they expect superior products AND service.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bornesaddlery.com, www.rubyroosaddles.com
• Instagram: @bornesaddlery, @rubyroosaddles
• Facebook: Borne Saddlery, Ruby Roo Saddles, LLC