Jochen Schleese, Founder of Schleese Saddlery Service and Saddlefit4Life, was named Entrepreneur of the Year on Oct.16 by the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce during the annual celebration of Business Excellence Awards. The Newmarket Business Excellence Awards were launched 25 years ago to celebrate excellence, innovation and the spirit of entrepreneurship in business. Other categories awarded include innovation, not for profit, professional, franchise and manufacturing. Messages of congratulation to the Chamber came from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, as well as from Newmarket mayor His Honor Tony van Bynen. Schleese has been previously recognized for entrepreneurial and business excellence with four regional Chamber awards, as well as an Award of Merit from the Ontario Provincial Chamber.
The Chamber was founded as the Newmarket Board of Trade in 1857 and is one of the oldest Chambers of Commerce in Canada. It presently has almost 900 members within York Region and the Greater Toronto Area, and is acclaimed as one of the top Chambers in Canada. One of the past winners was Robert Simpson (of ‘Simpson Sears’) who was a local town merchant. Some other Chamber initiatives include membership in the Awesome Foundation, mentorship programs with the Young Professionals Group, and environmental consciousness with Smart Commute.
Jochen Schleese graduated from Passier as a Certified Master Saddler and came to Canada in 1986 to establish and register the trade of saddlery in North America, operating the only authorized saddlery training facility in Ontario. Schleese Saddlery Service is the world leading manufacturer of saddles designed for women, specializing in the unique anatomical requirements of female riders. Schleese authorized representatives and certified saddle ergonomists provide diagnostic saddle fit analysis and saddle fitting services across North America to maintain optimal saddle fit to horse and rider. Saddlefit 4 Life educational programs and certification courses are held throughout North America, Europe and Brazil. He has recently published his first book Suffering in Silence: The Saddle Fit Link to Physical and Psychological Trauma in Horses, available from HorseBooksetc. and through Amazon.com in hard cover or e-format. Visit our websites for more information at www.Saddlesforwomen.com, www.Saddlefit4life.com and www.Schleese.com, or call us at 800-225-2242.
