Film saddler creates outfits for Kynren’s new show park

Kynren – The Storied Lands, billed as the UK’s first live action show park, will open within the wider Kynren site in Bishop Auckland on Saturday, July 18.

The bespoke outfits for its four-legged performers are being produced by master saddler Shelley Musker Turner, founder of Battle Horse Ltd, whose leatherwork has featured in major international productions.

Costumes are being created for the attraction’s horses and riders (Image: Supplied)

The specialist company, which focuses on historic and fantasy saddlery and leatherwork for film and television, has previously worked on more than 40 major productions including Gladiator II, Napoleon, Rings of Power, Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, and The Witcher.

Now, Shelley’s craftsmanship is helping bring the worlds of Kynren – The Storied Lands to life, with costumes being created for several of the attraction’s horses and riders, including elaborate pieces for Bishop Bek’s horse, mounted guards, and Bishop Flambard’s horse.

After spending time working with horses and camels in Spain and Austria during her teenage years, Shelley returned to the UK to formally train as a saddle maker before specialising in saddlery and leatherwork for the film and TV industry.

One of the Sketches for The Trusty Steed, an Equestrian Stunt show launching as part of Kynren – The Storied Lands (Image: Supplied)

Alongside her work in film production, she is also an internationally performing Celtic harpist who has toured across Europe and the United States with acclaimed Welsh folk band Calan, performing alongside major orchestras and artists including Sir Bryn Terfel.

Shelley said: “For me, both music and leatherwork are about storytelling and atmosphere.

“Whether you are creating a piece of costume for a horse or performing traditional folk music, you are helping create emotion, character, and immersion for an audience.

“Kynren – The Storied Lands is operating on a scale rarely seen in the UK, and there is an extraordinary level of detail going into every aspect of the production.”

Laurie Robinson, Director of Cavalry and Estates at Kynren, said the costumes form an important part of the visual storytelling throughout the new attraction.

“The horses play a major role within several of the experiences, and Shelley’s work brings an authenticity and craftsmanship that audiences immediately recognise,” she said.

“Horses are incredibly intuitive animals, and many of them know the moment the costumes appear that it is nearly showtime.”

Among the horses being fitted is Ufano, a 17-year-old Andalusian Spanish horse who will feature within the new productions.

Kynren – The Storied Lands opens on July 18, combining large-scale live shows, immersive environments, animals, mythology, history, and spectacle across what organisers describe as the UK’s first live action show park.