Dressage rider Amy Stovold had seven saddles stolen from her Sussex yard during a break-in on Sunday.
The Bates dressage saddles — which retail at £1,499 each — were in a locked tack room fitted, with an alarm and CCTV, at Amy’s base in Bolney, just a mile from Hickstead.
Thieves broke through metal grilles at the back of the tack room, avoiding the CCTV, and loaded the saddles into wheelbarrows which they ferried across three fields.
It is thought they might have been disturbed as one saddle and 20 double bridles were left behind.
The saddles, which are worth approximately £10,500, were all less than two years old.
Amy is confined to lungeing her horses as she negotiates with her sponsors Bates for the saddles to be replaced, and has had to pull out of some upcoming competitions.
She is asking readers to be vigilant if offered Bates saddles at discounted prices.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.
Would you like to receive the latest trade news direct to your inbox every Tuesday? Then sign up for Horse & Hound’s free trade e-newsletter now
