Rich in history...

In 1780 William Rich opened a saddlery shop in the

small Somerset village of North Petherton and in the

1820s his son Francis took over the running of the

business. Back in those days the equestrian industry

was very different as horses were used to work the land

and were the basis of both industry and transport. In

fact, riding as a leisure activity was only available to

the most privileged.

Francis’s son William was next to come into the

business, taking over in 1860, but he died suddenly in

1878 and the business was then transferred into the

hands of his wife Anne, who expanded the company

by employing four men. Her sons also took their

apprenticeships as saddlers and they too went into the

business.

Rich Saddlers was taken over by Anne’s son William in

1890 – by this time the family had built up a reputation

for high quality products and workmanship.

William’s sons Ernest and Gordon (shown together

here) then took control in the 1930’s, changing the

name to Rich Brothers and later, in 1960, relocated

the shop from 35 Fore Street to number 55.

Ernest and Gordon remained in the business until

1979 when Ernest’s son Alan took over and the name

was changed yet again, to Rich & Son as it is today.

In 2002, we opened our Show Unit and we now

exhibit at around 20 of the top horse and county shows

all over the UK. And finally in 2008 we set up our very

successful mail order business.