Prestbury Park Saddlery

A business which is a passion.

Nicola and Ashley Bingham moved to Bridgetown in 2014 having purchased an eleven acre property in town, which was ideal for the lifestyle the couple wanted to create for themselves.

All this came about when they first came to Australia to visit Ashley’s parents who have a property in Bridgetown. Quite taken by the aspects of the south west, they looked around several south west towns for a place they could make their own, settling on a property in Bridgetown, the town reminding them of the village they grew up in England, Prestbury Park in Gloucestershire

They brought the property in Bridgetown before returning to Australia to live. “The property came with four Alpacas still in residence, who have become great additions to the collection of animals calling the property home. It was also conveniently divided up into several smaller paddocks which was ideal for keeping horses.” Nicola explains.

“After having horses all of my life and with the huge strain of having to leave my competition horse back in the England to retire, I’m sure Ashley can confirm the first twelve months of no horses around that I was a little touchy to live with. However, I quickly made friends with a couple of local riders who kindly lent me their trusty steeds to get my horse fix to see me through until the right horse strolled into my life.

“We now have two horses, ‘Demi’ a Friesian Warmblood mare who is my trusty mount, and ‘Bugsy’ also a Friesian warmblood, is Ashley’s ride, being a mechanic, he loves all forms of horse power. There’s also ‘Bailey’ a companion pony who is over 30 years old, but still causing chaos and behaving much younger than his years. Completing our menagerie of animals, we also have two dogs and two cats, all of which have now become a part of our wonderful lifestyle.”

Nicola’s enjoyment with horses is Dressage. To this end they have had an arena purposely built for her to train her horse in and maintain her dressage skills.

Prestbury Park Saddlery is the business Nicola is establishing in Bridgetown. It is located on Hampton Street opposite the Memorial Park as you come into town from the north. It is open three days a week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

“We sell the ‘every day bits and pieces’ needed for caring for a horse. I have a large range of supplements, first aid kits items for your horse, along with riding boots, saddle rugs, saddle pads and turn out rugs, and a good range of riding and casual attire for both men and women.

“We also pass on our knowledge freely to customers when and where needed, after 15 years as an international groom, riding and grooming for many of the UKs top dressage and event riders, there is a lot of useful hints and tips we can pass on. The products we run in store I have either used previously during my years grooming, or I use them daily now in my own yard at home, so we can give our customers an honest opinion of the items, to this day we have had great feedback for the products we stock, both equine and canine, that’s right we stock products for dogs too.

“Having a horse and forming a bond with a large animal is very special. Respecting their size and power is a must, horses are an extremely kind and caring animal once you have their mateship.

“Having horses, or any animal you have a responsibility for, is a truly grounding experience. They are a seven day a week job, 365 days of the year. They cannot be parked or turned off for a time, and in that regard, they are character building.” Nicola concluded.

Nicola and Ashley are an industrious and delightful couple who are now calling Bridgetown home.