ETN (Equestrian Trade News) – February 2019

Equestrian Trade News

February 2019 Volume 43, No 2 Monthly

“BOWLED OVER WITH BETA INTERNATIONAL”

• Why the show was surprisingly successful • Report, reaction, results and pictures exclusively from ETN

2020 NEC, Birmingham, UK 19-21 January www.beta-int.com The Voice of the Equestrian Industry

Main Sponsor

Official Media Partner

WINNERS AT THE GALA DINNER

• Who took home 2019 BETA Business Awards?

• Party-time for the trade

ETN is the official media partner of BETA International

PLUS:

• Bedding for happy horses • How to make a presentation • New people and products

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3

... the magazine for the industry, about the industry, by the industry

IN our industry more than most, there will always be a place for bricks and mortar shops where a consumer can stand at a counter asking advice, have products explained and a chat with a like-minded soul.

Already there are fewer retailers in our sector than even five years ago. And, let’s not pretend otherwise, the supply chain is morphing daily as manufacturers and distributors find different ways to reach end-users.

In November 2018, total UK online sales captured more than 20% of overall retail spend for the first time. Then, just before Christmas, in his report on the future of the high street, Sir John Timpson said that the UK has twice as many shops as it needs.

The way customers shop has changed forever – globally, nationally and in our sector. So we’d all better stop preaching, moaning and pontificating – and make the best of it.

AN authentic picture in an advert can make us really warm to a product: “That could be me; I want one.”

On the other hand, an image that just looks wrong can ruin an otherwise good product’s appeal. And when it’s for a specialist market, such as our, blunders are blindingly obvious.

Sometimes it’s simply a case of getting the ‘horsiculture’ correct. ETN is always happy to give confidential advice.

SO the government is clamping down on advertising high sugar foods to children. Whether or not you think this is a case of an over-zealous nanny state, it did make me wonder about equine feed companies’ responsibilities.

And then last month, equine obesity really began hitting the headlines. ‘Overweight horses are the new normal, vets warn’ was a Daily Telegraph headline last month. Meanwhile top vet Lucy Grieve told Horse&Hound: “There are all these beautiful rugs available, and so many types of feed… It’s probably time the industry played a part in trying to fix this [equine obesity].”

Anyone trying to educate horse owners about equine weight says that among the hardest aspects to overcome is peer pressure. Well-meaning owners crumble when horsey friends or fellow livery clients criticise them because their fat pony is left unrugged to burn off unwanted calories or – horror of horrors their horse’s ribs and hip bones can be felt.

And the fat ‘new normal’ is sadly being fuelled by some of the equine models used in feed advertising. Presumably they’re saying ‘your horse could look like this…’ Well, if that means so fat that flesh oozes out either side of the girth, the shoulders ripple with what’s euphemistically called ‘condition’ and appleshaped bottoms have a gutter down the middle – then no thank you!

Liz Benwell

CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 2019

NEWS.................................................................... 4 PRODUCT NEWS................................................... 8 TURNING BACK THE PAGES What ETN was reporting five, ten, 20 and 30 years ago...................................................................... 12 NEWS FEATURE A blast from the past has designs on the future. 14 COVER STORY PEOPLE Who’s new and who’s nice.................................. 18

LEGAL DIGEST Bullying: an employer’s responsibilities............ 20 BEDDING & STABLE TOOLS COVER STORY Keeping stabled horses healthy......................... 22 Price freeze, plus latest products...................... 24 BETTER BUSINESS COVER STORY How to make a good presentation...................... 26 SADDLE FITTER OF THE MONTH......................... 28 BETA INTERNATIONAL 2019 COVER STORY ETN’s exclusive report and pictures....... 30 Retailer reaction..................................... 36 Best stand awards................................... 37 Innovation awards, sponsored by ETN.... 40 40th birthday celebrations and feature areas....................................................... 48 BETA BUSINESS AWARDS COVER STORY Who took home this year’s accolades................. 52 Scenes from the Gala Dinner.............................. 56 BETA MEMBERS’ PAGE....................................... 57 COUNTY COURT JUDGMENTS............................. 58 Equestrian Trade News

Editor’s Comment

February 2019 Volume 43, No 2 Monthly

FRONT COVER: ETN’s exclusive report from BETA International 2019 starts on page 30.

“BOWLED OVER WITH BETA INTERNATIONAL”

• Why the show was surprisingly successful • Report, reaction, results and pictures exclusively from ETN

2020 NEC, Birmingham, UK 19-21 January www.beta-int.com The Voice of the Equestrian Industry

Main Sponsor

www.equestriantradenews.com

Official Media Partner

WINNERS AT THE GALA DINNER

• Who took home 2019 BETA Business Awards?

• Party-time for the trade

ETN is the official media partner of BETA International

PLUS:

• Bedding for happy horses • How to make a presentation • New people and products

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

News

4

Why apprentices work for me Retailer and riding school owner Laura Garden tells ETN how taking on Modern Apprentices has helped her business to grow.

TWENTY-FIVE years ago, while she was working as a chartered accountant, Laura Garden decided to act upon her love of horses and desire to run her own business.

She took over Busby Equitation Centre in Clarkston, near Glasgow, where she’s since Modern Apprenticeships represent created a thriving livery investment in staff for the future. yard, riding school and Jen Doherty (left), a former modern on-site shop called apprentice, is now yard supervisor for retailer and riding school owner Laura Everything Equestrian.

Garden (right). Laura’s horse Mayfair is The business has also pictured.

16 full and part-time employees including qualified teaching staff, grooms, managers and shop assistants.

A recurring theme is Laura’s commitment to the Modern Apprenticeship scheme.

“Taking on apprentices has worked really well for us,” she explained. “We can control when and how our staff are trained, and make sure that they have the specific skills we need.

“By combining on-the-job learning with part-time study, Modern Apprenticeships provide valuable training and a wage too, allowing young people to earn while they learn.”

Laura sees added value for her more experienced staff too. “It’s also good for staff who help train the new recruits, as most people who mentor apprentices find it very rewarding,” she said.

“The trainees appreciate working alongside their colleagues because they have someone handy to answer any questions about how they should be doing things.”

People skills Right across Laura’s business, dealing with customers is key.

“Customer interaction and communication are really important to

any business. Like anything else in life, this is a skill you just have to learn. What I like about Modern Apprenticeships is that trainees are actually doing the job and dealing with customers early on, rather than just studying the theory.”

Laura has reaped the benefits from her trainees’ IT knowledge too.

“Most of my staff use Facebook or Instagram, and it’s a great way to market the business and communicate directly with customers. The majority of our records and dealings with clients are digital, so office computing skills are very important to us as well.”

Businesses which employ Modern Apprentices must commit a certain amount of time and resources to their new trainees, but the returns can be substantial, adds Laura.

“The reason we’ve invested in apprentices over the last 20 years is that it works for us. So I’d encourage other companies in the equine industry to try it too.

“Employers need to invest in their staff if we’re going to have a workforce that’s able to meet the challenges of the future.”

Rural business grants offered THE Prince’s Countryside Fund is open for grant applications until February 21.

Funding is offered twice a year, and projects in rural areas across the UK can apply for up to £50,000 in the Spring round.

Set up in 2010 by HRH The Prince of Wales, the charity aims to improve the prospects of viability for rural communities and businesses. Every year the Fund gives out over £1 million. It can support projects for up to three years.

The Fund aims to support rural business and services that develop a more sustainable rural economy. Also considered are those providing advice and new skills and business training that benefit the local economy.

Claire Saunders, director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund, said it’s particularly keen to hear from projects in the northeast of England, and from all parts of rural Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, all projects that meet eligibility criteria will be considered. Applications close on 21 February.

Find out more at www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/grants

ADVERT INDEX

Equestrian Trade News Stockeld East Wing, Park, Wetherby,Park, Stockeld West Yorkshire LS22 4AW Wetherby, Tel: 01937 West Yorkshire 582111 LS22 4AW Fax: 01937 Tel: 01937 582111 582778 – Sales Email: Fax: 01937 sales@equestriantradenews.com 582778 – Sales Website: Email: info@equestriantradenews.com www.equestriantradenews.com Website: www.equestriantradenews.com Publisher: Equestrian Management Consultants Ltd Subscriptions Distributed on a controlled-circulation basis to the Editor: retail trade. Paid-for annual subscriptions are £39.95 Liz Benwell (UK), (Europe), £86.00 (rest of the world).

Email:£73.00 editor@equestriantradenews.com Tel: 0345&6185007 Design Print: G.H. Smith &Sales: Son, Advertising Market Place, Easingwold, Nicki Lewis North Yorkshire Email: sales@equestriantradenews.com YO61 3AB Tel: 01937 582111 Tel: 01347 821329 Fax: Fax: 01937 01347 582778 822576

Email: etn@ghsmith.com Advertising Copy: Web: www.ghsmith.com Nicki Lewis Email: sales@equestriantradenews.com ISSN 1462-9526 Tel: 01937 582111

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

Publisher: Subscriptions Equestrian Management Consultants Ltd basis to Distributed on a controlled-circulation the retail trade. Paid-for annual subscriptions are Editor: £39.95 (UK), £73.00 (Europe), £86.00 (rest of the Liz Benwell world).

Email: editor@equestriantradenews.com Tel: 0345 6185007 is independent of all groups.

The magazine Editorial views expressed in ETN are not Digital Manager: necessarily the official view of any organisation NickiorLewis group.

Email: info@equestriantradenews.com Tel: 01937 582111 Copyright: All material is copyright Equestrian Management Senior Advertising Executive: Consultants Ltd. Beth Crow Email: bethc@beta-int.com Design & Print: Tel: 01937 582111 G.H. Smith & Son, Market582778 Place, Easingwold, Fax: 01937 North Yorkshire The magazine YO61 3ABis independent of all groups.

Editorial views expressed Tel: 01347 821329 in ETN are not necessarily the official Fax: 01347 822576view of any organisation or group.

Email: etn@ghsmith.com Web: www.ghsmith.com Copyright:

All material is copyright Equestrian Management Consultants Ltd. ISSN 1462-9526

Aigle International............................................................39 Agrihealth..................................................................... OBC Allen & Page....................................................................53 Bedmax............................................................................25 BETA International............................................................33 Champion........................................................................37 Charles Owen...................................................................38 Classified..........................................................................58 Crafty Ponies....................................................................50 Dragon Display Systems Ltd..............................................10 Emerald Green Feeds........................................................39 Equine America................................................................31 Falcon Equine T/A Omega Equine......................................11 Fairfax Saddles.................................................................55 The Golden Paste Company................................................5 Hilton Herbs.............................................................34 & 50 Horseware Ireland............................................................41 Horslyx...............................................................................8 Jenkinsons..............................................................6, 9 & 50 John Whitaker International..............................................19 Laflex Equestrian..............................................................51 Lintbells...........................................................................39 Mars/Spillers.....................................................................21 NAF...................................................................................7 Nettex..............................................................................13 Perry Equestrian...............................................................38 Red Gorilla...............................................................23 & 50 Red Horse Products...........................................................51 Science Supplements................................................16 & 17 Shires Equestrian Products................................................50 Snowhill Trade Saddlery...................................................IBC Solution Saddles...............................................................51 Stubbs England................................................................38 STV International..............................................................36 Thomas Pettifer & Co................................................27 & 51 Toggi...............................................................................39 Vale Brothers....................................................................51 Weatherbeeta......................................................... IFC & 51 Wow Saddles...................................................................38 W F Young Inc (Absorbine)...............................................35

www.equestriantradenews.com

5

New owner for PolyPads NOTTINGHAMSHIRE businessman Mark Ryan has acquired the brand names PolyPads and New Equine Wear from former owner Lee Buck.

Mr Ryan has set up a new company called PP Equestrian, and is to continue manufacturing the products in the UK. Lee Buck’s other equestrian brand Libby’s Tack remains in his ownership.

It’s a first venture into the equestrian industry for Mr Ryan who manufactures motor accessories, notably car and van mats, in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

PP Equestrian is run on a day-to-day basis by Isabel Dennett in the office and Jess Roberts in the factory.

Ms Dennett told ETN there were no immediate plans to change the offering from PolyPads, best known for its saddle pads, and New Equine Wear’s equine leg boots.

“We’ll keep the products similar with the same ranges for the time being,” she said. “We hope in future to introduce new products, and to develop, but for now we’re seeing how everything works before making changes.”

PP Equestrian will continue to concentrate on supplying the trade, added Ms Dennett.

Lee Buck is working with PP Equestrian during a handover period.

Taxman targets overseas e-retailers MORE than 4,600 online sellers have been red-flagged to internet based marketplaces for tax evasion during the last two years.

And, as a result, many sellers have had their online stores deleted by hosting platforms, says HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The red flags, known as Joint and Several Liability (JSL) notices, were introduced in 2016 to protect British businesses from being undercut by overseas sellers committing VAT evasion.

HMRC sends notices to online marketplaces – sites housing a number of sellers - when it finds a seller using its platform not paying the correct VAT. If the seller is not removed from the site, the marketplace will be pursued themselves for any future unpaid VAT by those sellers.

Since the rules were brought in, HMRC has sent thousands of JSL notices to online marketplaces and seen over £200 million of extra VAT being declared by these overseas sellers.

During the same period, the number of applications for VAT registration by overseas businesses grew to 58,000. This compares with just 1,650 applications between 2015 and 2016.

“Delivering a fair and level playing field for businesses is a top priority for this government,” said treasury minister Mel Stride MP. “These figures show that HMRC, working closely with the major online marketplaces, is making real headway tackling this serious and damaging evasion.”

Online marketplaces are required by law to check if overseas sellers should be registered for VAT and, if so, that the VAT number displayed is valid. If they don't, marketplaces can be liable for any tax owed by these sellers.

UK wholesaler distributes US brand BATTLES has become the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor of Majyk Equipe protective horse wear.

The American brand is best known for its equine boots made in high-tech materials.

“Battles will be stocking the full range of boots, saddle pads, girths - backed by our exceptional next day delivery service,” said the wholesaler’s commercial director Anna Clarke. www.equestriantradenews.com

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

News

Supplements company misled consumers, says watchdog A SUPPLEMENTS company misled consumers by advertising a product with claims that could not be substantiated.

Two other complaints about A D Consultancy (Cheshire) t/a Equine 74 were informally resolved by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after the company agreed to amend its advertising.

A website for the supplement Equine 74 (www.equine74.com) featured a homepage titled “A Safe and Natural Way of Maintaining a Healthy Stomach”.

The page included text stating “Equine 74 Gastric helps to maintain a healthy pH level in the stomach by acting as a long-lasting buffer”.

It went on to list the benefits of the product by saying “Buffers excess acid in the stomach”, “Helps support the gastric mucosa from the effects of natural stomach acid” and “The honeycomb structure of the algae acts as a time release long lasting buffer”.

A page titled “About Us” featured text stating “its unique honeycomb structure also enables a slow release of valuable bio-available minerals over an extended period of time” and “Put simply, Equine 74 works - it has been trialled, researched and has lots of anecdotal success too”.

A complainant challenged whether the claims that Equine 74 acted as a long-lasting buffer to excess acid in horses’ stomachs and enabled slow release of nutrients were misleading and could be substantiated.

The ASA considered that consumers would understand claims meaning that Equine 74 shielded horses’ stomachs from excess acid over a long period, and that it released nutrients slowly over a long period.

However, when the ASA reviewed the evidence it considered the challenged claims could not be substantiated. It therefore concluded that the claims that Equine 74 acted as a long-lasting buffer to excess acid in horses’ stomachs, and enabled the slow release of nutrients, were misleading.

Read the full adjudication at www.asa.org.uk/ rulings

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

6

Changes afoot at Badminton

BADMINTON Horse Trials organisers are promising innovative changes ahead of the event’s 28th and final year under Mitsubishi Motors’ sponsorship.

This year’s Badminton also marks the competition’s 70th anniversary.

New for 2019 is an e-ticketing service designed to speed up entry to the showground. Admission can be bought right up to the event on 1 – 5 May. Entries are expected from the gold medal winning British world championship squad – minus individual champion Ros Canter who is expecting a baby in July and the usual contingent of top overseas riders.

New for Badminton spectators will be a “revitalised” Lakeside area; while in the shopping village, The World of Food and Wine is to be bigger.

The camp site, with more than 1,300 pitches, is joined for 2019 by a glamping field akin to those enjoyed by music festival goers.

Along with five other top international events, Badminton has had its rating upgraded by the FEI (the international federation) from 4 star to 5 star.

As usual, this year’s event kicks off with the amateurs’ championships for the Mitsubishi Motors Cup on the Tuesday and Wednesday.

Online retailer grows ‘natural’ offering ONLINE retailer Urban Horse has acquired Charlies Products, supplier of BestFriend bareback pads and grazing muzzles.

“We’ve sold the pads and grazing muzzles for many years and look forward to continuing to promote the range through Urban Horse and also on the existing Charlies Products website,” said new owner Carolyn Natalie Seviour works at Urban Horse which has acquired Charlies Products. On her desk is a Bestfriend Hymers. pad and grazing muzzle – brands which came with the Urban Horse, based in deal.

Garrigill, a Cumbrian village in the north Pennines, was set up around nine years ago by Carolyn and her partner Will Wright. The retailer specialises in natural horsemanship equipment and horse care products for barefoot and bitless horses.

NEWS IN BRIEF • A BRIEF History of The Side Saddle is an exhibition to be held at the Museum of The Horse, Tuxford, Nottinghamshire (NG22 0LA) from 26 April to 10 July. Featuring around 25 side saddles dating from 1750 to 1930, a selection of habits and other artefacts will also be on show. Visitors can see pictures and prints and a time-line of saddles and costumes too.

• BESTSELLING Yorkshire children’s author Hannah Russell has become an ambassador for Brooke. The equine charity works across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America to improve the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules supporting people in some of the world’s poorest communities. Hannah gained fame aged 17 when she published her first book The Magical Adventure of Little Alf – The Discovery of the Wild Pony, based on her miniature Shetland pony of the same name. Since then, Hannah has written numerous books chronicling Alf’s adventures.

• NOAH has launched a factsheet focussing on the role of SQPs. It’s part of the animal health industry body’s campaign to highlight how the sector plays its part in keeping the nation’s animals healthy. The SQP factsheet looks at how those suitably qualified persons can help stop disease getting to animals, equip them to fight disease and work with animal owners to ensure disease is treated appropriately. See next month’s ETN for our latest AMTRA accredited SQP CPD feature.

www.equestriantradenews.com

7

TAKE STOCK - HERE IT COMES

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Oestress has the power to enable mares to perform at their best, their very very best. Bring on your mare’s “girl power” and turn to Oestress first every time.

To find out more about Oestress, the science behind the formulation, real Five Star Reviews and why it is recommended as the first choice for so many mares please contact your NAF Area Sales Manager, or the NAF Sales Office on 01600 710726 or email info@naf-uk.com

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EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

Product News

8

These rugs will fly!

SPRING and summer will soon be here – and so will annoying insects. So stay ahead of the game by checking out these 2019 fly rugs from Snowhill.

Both brand new rugs are available in Savanna (zebra print) or the Masai3 (white) styles, and come in a choice of full mesh or with a waterproof topline.

Thanks to a complete design make-over for the new season, they now come with side skirts, front and back. There’s also elasticated binding and front shoulder pleats for comfort and ease of movement.

Excellent belly coverage is achieved with three adjustable surcingles.

The fillet cord is elasticated, plastic covered (for cleanliness) and comes with handy trigger hooks.

These new rug styles also incorporate innovative stretch Lycra panels at the withers.

Sizes are 4’6” to 7’3”, RRPs from £39.50 – and they’re available to order on Snowhill’s website now.

No flies on us THE Ultimate Outdoor Fly Trap is from the Zero In Ultra Power range by pest control product supplier STV. It’s reusable and simply requires water to activate the lure inside. The bait attracts flies from up to 10m away, keeping them out of indoor areas such as stables. There’s a hang-hook for easy installation.

A cleverly designed lid with multiple entry ports ensures flies can get in, but not out!

Other outdoor fly solutions from the Zero In Ultra Power range include the disposable Outdoor Fly Trap, tear-away Sticky Fly Rolls and a 60cm XL Fly Stick.

Free samples of the Ultimate Outdoor Fly Trap are available to ETN readers.

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

www.equestriantradenews.com

9 Say it with a horsey treat

A FUN range of gift sleeves has arrived to personalise Mini Horslyx.

All occasions are covered including ‘Happy Birthday’ and ‘Congratulations’. Customers can also say ‘Get Well Soon’ or ‘Thank You’ as well as sending a message such as ‘Enjoy the Ride’ or ‘Be a Unicorn in a Field of Horses’.

Mini Horslyx gift sleeves are initially offered as a complete display unit comprising shelving and one pack each of the six different designs. Packs of six are then available for replenishment.

The gift sleeves, RRP £1 each, simply slide onto the tubs of lickable treats.

Clipping with Swiss precision TALK to anyone who clips a lot of horses, and they’ll give Heiniger the thumbs up.

The brand benefits from Swiss engineering excellence and precisionmade blade technology.

Quality, safety and precision of its instruments are watchwords for Heiniger. While this privately-owned family company constantly reinvests profits into research and development to enhance and expand its product range.

Clippers in the Heiniger X Series are quiet yet powerful, comfortable and easy to use. Notably, a unique connection between the clipper head and hand grip makes for balanced and effortless clipping.

The most popular clipper in the X Series range is the Xplorer cordless.

A 90-watt permanent magnet motor allows it to achieve up to 2,450 blade strokes per minute. To clip more than one horse, it can be purchased with a double battery for extended clipping time.

The Heiniger Xperience corded clipper uses a rotary electrical motor.

With the same ergonomic design as the Xplorer, the Xperience is perfectly balanced and weighs just 1.24kg. A 5m cable offers great flexibility.

The Progress Corded Clipper is the perfect solution for clipping nervous horses and for owners on a budget. With its ultra-slim body, it weighs just 980g, which is unusually light for a mains powered unit.

A permanent magnet motor provides 2,250 blade strokes per minute. It is this power which makes clipping easy by providing a constant output for consistent results.

For clipping sensitive areas such as heads, ears and between the legs, Heiniger’s Saphir cordless clipper is perfect. Extremely quiet and lightweight, it nevertheless delivers 2,650 blade strokes per minute from its permanent magnet motor. Each of the two Lithium Ion batteries supplied provide up to 90 minutes’ clipping from a 60-minute charge.

All Heiniger clippers come with a two-year warranty (excluding batteries).

Speedy horsebox cover HORSEBOX and trailer owners can get instant insurance cover on the go through Shearwater’s new Quote and Buy Portal.

After filling in some basic information, customers simply click for their quote. And if they choose to accept, their policy can be processed straight away.

It’s a handy tool for anyone who’s just bought a box. www.equestriantradenews.com

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

Product News

10

World champion is warm and dry

Partnerships page by page

BRITAIN’S eventing world champion Ros Canter has joined the Stierna Equestrian Sportswear team of riders.

Ros spotted Stierna after seeing co-competitors Izzy Taylor and Jesse Campbell, who are already sponsored by the Swedish brand, keeping warm and dry at events.

“I was tired of being freezing and wet and had long been looking for clothes that are really suitable for riding,” said Ros who wore the Stierna Stella Winter Jacket and some of the company’s layering garments on a lecture-demo tour earlier this winter.

Says Stierna designer Helena Strömbäck: “Ros really understood the thinking behind the garments and had experienced the same frustrations of finding riding clothes that made me start the Stierna range in 2015.”

Helena attributes the brand’s success to its ability to meet riders’ high demands of performance and mobility.

FORMER international event rider Eric Smiley’s new book Two Brains One Aim, published by Quiller Books, is for everyone interested in honing horse and rider partnerships.

Eric, a Fellow of the British Horse Society (FBHS), renowned trainer and FEI judge, says of the book: “I have tried to harness my own experiences when I cover the three main disciplines - dressage, show jumping and eventing - and how they relate to one another.

“I look at how those in a coaching position can guide riders to perform better by making their lives less complicated and more fulfilling, and I examine how riders can apply the same principles to training their horses and become self-sufficient.”

Co-author is Ellie Hughes, an equestrian journalist and competitor.

1/4 Page 133 x 90 At Cut Marks

Dragon Display Systems

Designed and Manufactured in the UK

Manufacturers of flexible wall and centre-shop hanging and shelving systems, with 4 different systems and design-your-own gondolas & merchandising units.

www.dragondisplay.co.uk Display Systems Ltd

Tel 01952 290055 • Fax: 01952 290056 • sales@dragondisplay.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

WeatherBeeta expands pet range THE new WeatherBeeta pet range, available from April, features beds, collars, harnesses, leads and bowls - with additional styles of dog coats for the autumn.

The WeatherBeeta Waterproof Pillow Dog Bed has a cosy, waterproof, outer shell that can be removed and machine-washed. In two colours and sizes, the RRP is from £29.99.

Super-strong and stylish, the WeatherBeeta Square Denim Dog Bed has a 600 denier waterproof outer with a soft, breathable cotton polyfill for comfort. RRPs are from £28.99.

The WeatherBeeta Elegance collection includes matching dog collars, leads and harnesses (pictured). The Teflon coated material is waterproof, repels dirt and is static free. RRPs are from £12.99.

A range of matching leather collars and leads will also be available in various styles. The WeatherBeeta Polo Dog Collar and matching Polo Dog Lead is made from premium tanned leather with brass fittings. Featuring a stitched pattern and offered in four different styles, RRPs are from £19.99.

Additionally, stainless steel dog bowls come with silicone rubber bases to reduce noise and skidding at dinner time. RRPs are from £1.99.

New for autumn 2019, the WeatherBeeta Parka Thermi-Heat Dog Coat is designed to conquer the cold. The Thermi-heat lining uses thermal reflection to maintain warmth and prevent heat loss. With a 1,200 denier ripstop outer, harness hole, touch tape closures and reflective strips for added visibility, the RRP is £34.99.

And ideal after a wet walk, the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Fleece Dog Jumper comes in anti-static, breathable and wickable fleece at an RRP of £24.99.

The new pet range will enable stockists to benefit from fresh revenue streams, says Bea Meitiner of WeatherBeeta.

“For our equestrian retailers, it provides an attractive opportunity to increase the share of spend they capture from their shoppers by offering them an already well-known and trusted brand in categories they are buying from other retailers.” www.equestriantradenews.com

11

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EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

ETN Reporting

12

TURNING BACK THE PAGES… Equest Trade Nerian ws

For almost four decades, ETN has reported on the equestrian trade. So let’s look back at the news, people and products that were making headlines this month five, ten, 20 and 30 years ago.

The V oice of th e Equ e

…Five years ago…

Official

• What’ s

n Ind us

Februa ry 2014

try

Volume 38,

Interna

tional

No 2 Mon thly

2014 pr eview

new • What to see • w floorp What’s lan an on d exhib itor list

• Plus sho

EQU ESTR IAN TRAD E NEW S FEBR UARY 2014

In February 2014, ETN reported: • Jabez Cliff and Company, trading as Barnsby Saddlery, entered a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) with its creditors. The Walsall based company had announced seven redundancies in December (2013).

• Matchmakers International was acquired for an undisclosed sum by International Riding Company Limited, a new business formed to invest in the owner of the Caldene, Masta, Harry Hall, Cottage Craft and Tottie brands. Oliver Hoare and Edward Wakefield became co-chairmen. Richard Lawrence, former sales and marketing director of Matchmakers International, left his job. Among a newly appointed management team was commercial director Liz Hopper.

• Puppets from the hit West End show War Horse were set to return to BETA International 2014.

• Dr Teresa Hollands left her post as senior nutritionist with Dodson & Horrell after 20 years with the feed company.

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Volume 33,

EQU ESTR S FEBR

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IAN TRA UARY 2009

In February 2009, ETN reported: • NAF’s new factory was officially opened by The Princess Royal who also toured the site in Monmouth and met the staff.

“Her Royal Highness was particularly interested in our raw ingredients,” said managing director Richard Cleeve. “She showed great interest in our new, on-site laboratories where she spoke at length to our chemist Dr Sara Matthews.”

• Aerborn – the Nottingham based manufacturer and one of the equestrian world’s best known brands - was acquired by Tremayne Roden, a former manager at wholesaler Battles. John McGowan, who had founded Aerborn 28 years previously, said he had other interests and “it made sense to accept an offer.” He added: “I really value the people I have worked with and those in the trade.”

• J & E Sedgwick and Co was waging war on counterfeiters. The leather supplier wanted to stop manufacturers claiming their goods were made with Sedgwick leather when they were not. Managing director Richard Farrow said he was considering Smart Water marks to help buyers verify the genuine article.

• Westgate EFI opened a new trade-only showroom close to junction 10 of the M6. Showcasing its Mark Todd, Jumpers Horse Line, Gatehouse and Coolex brands, it was staffed in rotation by the wholesaler’s area managers.

Hats O ff To

...

…20 years ago…

In February 1999, ETN reported: • A new watchdog – the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) – was established to clamp down on the illegal marketing and sale of unauthorised products. There were calls for the VMD, for which money had been set aside until April, to be made permanent.

• National Riding Week, BETA’s initiative to promote riding, attracted £0.5 million sponsorship from Jeep. A 63 venue roadshow was planned taking in shows and secondary schools. The Festival’s president was The Princess Royal with Jane Holderness-Roddam chairing the organising committee.

• ‘Decathlon are coming’ was ETN’s lead story. The French sports retailer was to open a riding department at its first UK superstore in Surrey Quays in south London. Managed by Amanda Turattic, it was to stock saddlery, rugs, clothing and horsecare products – mainly own-branded.

• Keizo Nishimura, newly retired president of Soyo International, was clearly ahead of his time. He wrote to ETN, saying how much he had enjoyed doing business with “some wonderful people in this industry”, and enclosed a hand drawn illustration of a horse and rider. “This is my latest invention,” said Mr Nishimura. “The Ultimate Saddle is engineered with a speed meter, jumping meter and built-in blood pressure gauge.”

…30 years ago…

In February 1989, ETN reported: • Kent Leather pushed the boat out with a full colour, 100 page mail order catalogue. Admitting it was “very expensive [to consumers] at £2.95,” the retail group’s chairman Ken Lyndon Dykes quickly pointed out that the cost was refundable with customers’ first mail order purchases.

• German riding clothes brand euro-star appointed Champion & Wilton (Wholesale) as its UK agent. Andy McCune of the distributor said “it fits nicely with our Stubben products.”

• Horseland, a chain with eight company owned and 26 franchised saddlery stores across Australia, was advertising for “aggressive companies or persons with substantial financial backing to take up franchise licenses for the UK and several European countries.” Horseland’s managing director Michael Bucknell was due in Europe to meet applicants.

• The Supa Quilt stable rug, imported by Hydrophane and retailing for £60, was reported as being the season’s best seller.

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

www.equestriantradenews.com

No 2 Mon thly

13

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EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

News Feature

14

HISTORY COMES BACK TO LIFE T

he very mention of some brands evokes deeply entrenched memories for people of a certain age. Thomas Pettifer & Co is one.

But now its parent company Talisker Bay - the Scottish home of Likits, Stud Muffins and Bizzy Horse equine treats and toys - has revamped the iconic range to appeal to modern horse owners.

While those who’ve been involved with horses for a number of years are most likely to remember Pettifers – and may even still have its famous Green Oils in their equine first aid cabinets – there’s much more than nostalgia to this horse care range.

Indeed, Pettifers has endured because the products have always been effective, drawing on the best of traditional remedies and ingredients, while moving with the times.

Thomas Pettifer started out as a family business back in 1836, with the brand’s namesake establishing the company with his son-in-law, Ernest.

That family connection endured until 1985 when ownership passed to a number of different companies, including Harbottle and Westgate.

Pettifer’s finally found a new home within another family-run business, that of Talisker Bay which is owned and run by managing director Andrew Robertson and his sons, Matt and Fraser.

It’s Matt Robertson who’s picked up the Thomas Pettifer reins and is overseeing the re-launch. “We recognise the importance of Thomas Pettifer and Co's extraordinary British heritage and seek to carry the honest, trusted ethos of the business into the modern age,” he said.

“The brand has been given a complete facelift and formulations have been tweaked to bring the products firmly into the 21st century.”

Those tweaks include repackaging the range and adjusting some of the

King William IV is on the throne. In Eydon, Northamptonshire, Thomas Pettifer is a farrier who ventures into veterinary medicines.

His youngest daughter, Judith, marries a farmer named Ernest.

1877

formulations; for example, removing camphor from Green Oils to comply with FEI rules.

On the whole, however, the products retain the very essence of the long-established Thomas Pettifer range.

As Matt explains: “It is rare to come across a company that has been going for as long as Thomas Pettifer and Co. The brand is steeped in British heritage and gained an enduring trust and reputation among horse owners. It is our intention to build on that heritage and bring the high quality, trusted brand back to the fore.”

THEN AND NOW: Thomas Pettifer, a farrier, began venturing into veterinary medicines in 1836. 183 year later, the brand he founded is now in the capable hands of Matt Robertson from Talisker Bay.

Thomas Pettifer dies. Ernest takes his wife’s name to become Ernest Pettifer and the business grows significantly.

Two acres of a field in rural Northamptonshire are dedicated to growing herbs for use in the veterinary medicines.

The building where these herbs are dried and processed is known as the Spice House.

1836

Ernest Pettifer dies. The church bells ring at his funeral for every year of his life. Blinds and curtains are drawn in the village. Ernest and Judith’s first son, Tom, takes over the business.

1914

1885 The always immaculate Ernest Pettifer grew herbs to use in the formulations.

Thomas Pettifer forms a partnership with his son-in-law and the business begins trading as Thomas Pettifer & Co. Judith oversees the manufacturing of the medicines while Ernest deals with the business. The company’s herbal concoctions become well known throughout Northamptonshire markets and agricultural shows. Ernest is always impeccably turned out in long coat, striped trousers and top hat.

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

A blast-from-the-past has designs on the future, reports ETN.

1923 Ernest and Judith have a stable full of horses; in 1914 one of Ernest’s horses is requisitioned for World War I.

www.equestriantradenews.com

15

News Feature

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Green Oils: Available as a gel or spray, this popular product for cuts, sores and grazes has almost legendary status. New Zealanders have been known to call it “the miracle green stuff.” Waterproof and antiseptic, Green Oils contains chlorophyll which makes the product green. Studies (reference available) have shown that chlorophyll aids healing.

Cetream: This dual-action medicated cream contains cetrimide antiseptic and soothing lavender oil. Extra lavender has been added to the formulation for the re-launch.

Herbal Elixir: Formerly known Herbal Skin Gel and Gro’ Coat, this versatile product is ideal for minor cuts, wounds and skin irritation, as well as deterring flies and insects. It contains a blend of herbs selected for their antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, plus comfrey and aloe vera.

Invigor 8: Previously known as Brace, this soothing, cooling wash contains pine oil, arnica and witch hazel to soothe tired muscles.

Formulated for use after strenuous exercise, the unique formula retains the natural oils to keep the horse’s coat shiny and waterproof. Can also be used undiluted as a massage rub.

Leg Shield: For application prior to exposure to wet and muddy conditions, the high quality silicones create a protective, waterproof barrier that aids cleaning and helps protect against soil borne infections.

Farrilin: A comprehensive hoof health formula designed to maintain and nourish, moisturise and promote healthy hoof growth. Contains a range of ingredients, including pine and neatsfoot oils.

Sw’itch: This useful emulsion contains tea tree and rosemary oils to soothe irritation caused by midges, plus neem oil to deter biting insects.

Yukkabed: A safe, non-toxic liquid to discourage horses and ponies from eating stable bedding. Contains agents that bind harmful mould spores and dust.

A smart new look for modern equestrians.

Products by Thomas Pettifer & Co, a stable yard staple for many decades, is set to bounce back.

Tom Pettifer is now well known among farmers and horse breeders. The offices are moved to Northampton and manufacturing is contracted out to a London firm of chemists.

1960

The British-made Thomas Pettifer range is updated, re-launched to the trade at BETA International – and looks set to attract new generations of horse owners.

Ownership of Thomas Pettifer and Co passes to various companies, including Harbottle and Westgate.

1955

2018

1985 In 1960, Thomas Pettifer & Co was awarded the Royal Warrant.

Ronald Pettifer succeeds as director after Tom’s death.

Thomas Pettifer and Co is awarded the Royal Warrant as suppliers of animal medicines and nutritional products to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

www.equestriantradenews.com

2019 Now part of Talisker Bay International, Thomas Pettifer and Co is a British family-owned business once again.

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

16

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Here’s what the future looks like: • The biggest investment into Research, Development and Production (£1.1m) • One of the largest marketing campaigns planned for the next three years

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Have been ordering FlexAbility Plus joint supplements for a year now. We noticed a significant improvement in our cob within first 6 weeks of using it. Company give very sound advice and delivery is speedy. Overall 100%.

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17

Get in touch with your regional sales director today and see how we can help you grow your business. info@sciencesupplements.co.uk | Tel: 0345 5046940 Lisa Gilby

Zelina Coffey

Lisa has over 20 years’ experience within the industry having previously held positions at Baileys and Horslyx. Lisa is also a BHSII and enjoys time with her horse Paddy who she has competed up to BE novice, teamchased to intermediate and showjumped. Paddy who is now 17 and has been with Lisa since he was 3.

Zelina has her BHSAI and joins Science Supplements following a successful career at Dengie. Her passion is dressage and she competes affiliated on her Dutch warmblood.

Zelina enthused: “I’m looking forward to joining the team at such an exciting time with all the future plans for the company.”

Clare Girardot

Clare Fletcher

Clare is a graduate of Exeter University and joins the team after gaining experience at Zoetis and Mole Valley. She enjoys competing her horse Biggles at BE100 and her favourite product is FlexAbility as it has helped to keep Biggles sound throughout the season.

Clare is already well known to the Science Supplements team as she has been a loyal customer for many years. Clare is currently studying on the MSc equine science programme at the University of Edinburgh.

Clare competes in dressage and veteran classes with her horse Lennie who is 18.

Regional Sales Director for the South West

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Truly believe the gut balancer has made a huge difference to my pony. She looks amazing and appears happier.

The advice is always good and the service is friendly and quick. I believe its a unique product on the market and I will continue to use it.

Emily Couch

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Great research = Great products I love the fact that there are scientific studies done on each product and that everyone is so helpful.

My horses have always performed well on these products.

Lucy Sheriston

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

18

People • The British Equestrian Federation

(BEF) has named Horse&Hound senior news writer Lucy Elder its 2018 journalist of the year.

BEF chief executive Nick Fellows presented the annual award to Lucy at the British Equestrian Writers’ Association (BEWA) lunch.

He said Lucy “has produced many well-balanced articles to promote equestrian sport initiatives, particularly in dressage and eventing.”

Lucy, who was chosen as the award winner from a shortlist of eight, said: “I feel like the luckiest person in the world to have this job and I still have so much to learn — every day I get to speak to brilliant and interesting riders, trainers, vets, grooms and experts about a shared passion.”

• Jamie Brannan, a microbiologist

who works for Zoetis, has been elected chairman of NOAH (National Office of Animal Health). He replaces Gaynor Hillier who has changed responsibilities within her company and moved to the US.

• Eventing heroine Mary King

has become the first equine ambassador for Blue Cross. The national pet charity runs two horse welfare centres in Oxfordshire and Staffordshire where neglected, abandoned and unwanted horses and ponies are rehabilitated and then rehomed. Blue Cross also operates a Home Direct scheme to help owners find suitable new homes for their horses to go to directly if they can no longer keep them. Mary aims to help raise the profile of this work.

• Garry Baines, director

of Walsall based saddlery manufacturer Frank Baines Saddlery, has been made a Freeman of the City of London.

Freemen date back 1237 and were historically protected by their town or city with the right to trade with members of a Guild or Livery Company.

Garry’s father and company founder Frank Baines was made a Freeman of the City in 1990.

Garry and his sister Victoria Coleman took over the business in 2016.

Garry (right) is pictured receiving his award from Murray Craig, clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court.

We’re all here to make money… but the best business people are as polite and fair as they are determined and firm.

So to celebrate all that’s good about the people in our trade, ETN’s Beth Crow has chosen the winner of our latest ‘Nice to deal with’ award.

Their prize of a luxury hamper is on its way – enjoy!

• After ten years working at Equilibrium Products, Laura Cutter has left

her position as marketing manager to set up as a freelance marketing consultant. Candice Pottage is now responsible for Equilibrium Products’ marketing activities.

Nice to deal with...

• Brent Adamson has been

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Janaury Offers.indd

promoted to the new role of head of sales at Bedmax.

For three years, Brent has been the bedding manufacturer’s racing and thoroughbred sales manager with responsibility for international sales.

After retiring as a National Hunt jockey, Brent worked for Dodson & Horrell for 20 years as the feed company’s thoroughbred and performance equine manager.

1

• Christine Dale-Frampton and Julie Goldsmith of Snowhill.

• Beth says: “Snowhill was established more than 30 years ago and has been an ETN advertiser for nearly as long – making them one of ETN’s most loyal customers. Christine and Julie are great to deal with because they’re well organised, good communicators and always pay their bills on time. Every month, Snowhill produces a varied and interesting advertisement packed with new opportunities for retailers.

The team also keeps us up to date with Snowhill’s latest products and news.”

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

Tack Shop, in Warfield, Berks, has been named Virbac Equine SQP of the Year 2018.

The award highlights Equine SQPs’ (Suitably Qualified Persons’) hard work and dedication as they guide customers on the correct approach to worming.

Customers of Millwheel Tack Shop described Jemma as very knowledgeable. They also commended her attention to detail that helps make worming easy and simple. Jemma’s prize was an all-expense paid VIP day at Olympia in December, plus certificate and trophy.

Gemma (left) is pictured receiving her award from Louise Good, Virbac territory sales manager. Virbac is the manufacturer of wormer brands Equimax and Eraquell.

www.equestriantradenews.com

19 the new sales manager for BETA International is well known to retailers in the north and north-east of England having been NAF’s area sales manager for the area for more than eight years.

He joined BETA International organiser Equestrian Management Consultants (EMC) in time for last month’s show.

“I thoroughly enjoyed working for NAF,” said Darren. “It’s given me a really good insight into the industry, how and why new products come to market, building relationships - and I got to talk ‘horse’ every day too.”

Early roles saw Darren working in Bramham Horse Trials’ box office and for a furniture manufacturer. He then spent a decade in the fuel business selling oil and petrol to domestic, agricultural and filling station customers.

“That taught me about business, running a team of staff, supply chains, margins and customer relations. I was involved with credit management and debt collection too.”

Now, as sales manager for BETA International, Darren is determined to stay in touch with equestrian retailers. “Yes, of course I’ll be going to manufacturers and wholesalers, but the show’s got to remain right for retailers too. After all, BETA International is for them – they’re doing their buying there, I need to ensure they continue to be happy and are seeing the right selection of products for their businesses.”

Sales is about getting out to meet and talk to people, adds Darren. “YouC C can achieve so much more face-to-face than over the phone - the same can M be said for BETA International.”

M Spreading the word about The BETA Group is on Darren’s agenda too. Y “We have BETA International and within that there’s the new product Y gallery, innovation awards… so many opportunities. Then there’s ETN andCM CM the trade association. I want to tell people how they can benefit from the MY entire offering.”

MY CY CY A life with horses CY CMY A lifelong horseman, Darren loves his eventing and has a run at CMY CMY Chatsworth in his sights this season.

K From a non-horsey Yorkshire family, the young Darren rode friends’ K K ponies before graduating to working weekends in a hunting and eventing yard. He bought his first competition horse when he was 18.

Since then, Darren has evented, and taken part in dressage and show jumping too. He’s also shown horses in-hand and in ridden classes at the likes of Bramham International.

Although he’s modest about it, Darren’s current event horse – a 13 year old mare called Westswoods Scarlet Lady – was a ‘bit of a character’ that a few riders, including some professionals, had ridden and failed to connect with.

“When Scarlet came to me as ten year old, she was a bit of a misfit and very grouchy. But after a few weeks, something clicked.

Now she’s my little horse of a lifetime.”

JWS056 Saddle in Black JWS056Overton Overton Saddle in Black JWS056 Overton Saddle in Black

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Legal Digest

BULLYING:

20

WHAT ARE AN EMPLOYER’S RESPONSIBILITIES?

What is often viewed as a school playground problem can cause real difficulties for employers, says Adam Costello of Croner. beholder and while some may consider they have been subjected to bullying, others may view it differently.

This is where managers can sometimes trip up and neglect to deal with a complaint because, in their opinion, it was not an act of bullying. All complaints should be taken seriously.

What should the outcome be?

Again, a consistent approach is needed with regard to the outcome of a complaint. Managers who are left to conclude their own procedures with no recourse to an agreed organisational plan leave an organisation open to claims of unfair treatment from the ‘bully’ against whom action is taken.

It’s always important to note the outcome of past procedures in order to maintain a robust anti-bullying ethos. Inconsistency can result in employees thinking they can get away with certain types of behaviour because some managers allow them to do so.

Top tips to prevent workplace bullying

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ullying, or harassment, in the workplace are unfortunately not at all uncommon. And employers must be aware of how to tackle the problem in order to comply with their duty of care towards employees.

While it isn’t possible for an employee to bring a claim directly to an employment tribunal on the grounds of bullying, if the bullying behaviour relates to one of the current protected characteristics then the employee can make a claim of discrimination under the harassment provisions.

Bullying is not always a visible attack on someone; it can be the prevention of another employee’s promotion by blocking their progress, or setting them up to fail by stipulating too high targets.

What should employers do to prevent bullying?

Employers may find it wise to implement an anti-bullying policy to give a clear and unambiguous message to all employees that certain types of behaviour will not be tolerated in your workplace.

Who should enforce the policy?

All managers responsible for dealing with employee complaints should receive training in the existence of the policy and how to deal with complaints of bullying.

Without a consistent message, managers could deal with complaints of bullying in their own way.

This may lead to them potentially using their own levels of tolerance as a yardstick and not assessing the complaint objectively.

Bullying doesn’t have to be visible. It could be setting someone up to fail.

How should complaints of bullying be dealt with?

While every complaint of bullying will differ in its tone and effect, all complaints should be dealt with using the same procedure.

Managers should remember that bullying is in the eye of the FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

• Implement a clear anti-bullying policy. Give examples of prohibited behaviour and make employees aware that, should these actions be undertaken, they will be dealt with via the company’s disciplinary procedure. The policy should be displayed prominently and even given to all new employees on induction.

• Managers should receive training in bullying issues so that they are prepared to identify occurrences among employees.

They should also be familiar with the effect that bullying can have on the workplace and an individual. Therefore if the manager does not see the bullying itself, he or she will be able to identify who is being targeted. Victims of bullying may not always feel comfortable with ‘telling on’ their perpetrators.

• If bullying is brought to your attention, ensure you take the complaint seriously and investigate it promptly, recording your findings. This can usually be achieved via your organisation’s grievance and disciplinary procedure and must be done fairly and consistently. Consistency is key to these procedures as this will strengthen your employees’ trust in the procedure to resolve their problem.

• Employers should be sympathetic to employees while investigating an instance of alleged bullying. Tell the employee who is alleging bullying that you will act confidentially and sensitively, and then make sure you follow this through. Failure to do this will undermine the employee and make them fear reprisals, reducing confidence in reporting any further occurrences of bullying.

• Set a consistent standard of punishment to employees who bully others so that everyone realises just what their ‘comeuppance’ will be. Implementing a hard line when it comes to bullying will support your zero tolerance stance, and similar treatment across the board will instil confidence in your employees that bullying is treated formally by your organisation.

Speak to an expert: Croner is a world-class workplace business partner for the thousands of organisations it supports daily, through market-leading advice and services. With over 75 years’ experience in HR and employment law compliance, support and systems, Croner’s consultants have an average of 15 years’ industry experience. For advice about bullying in the workplace, call the Croner advice line on 0844 561 8133 today. www.equestriantradenews.com

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EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

Air quality is key to keeping stabled horses healthy, says vet Kieran O’Brien.

BEDDING FACTS AND FOLKLORE

Bedding and Stable Tools

22

Shafts of sunlight entering this stable highlight the dust particles circulating in the air of this straw-bedded box.

S

tudies have shown that in as little as six hours after bedding on fresh straw, inflammatory cells can be detected in the airways of normal horses.

The inescapable conclusion is that to keep the dust level in stable air to a minimum, straw is an inappropriate bedding material for performance horses unless the ventilation is very good.

Six to eight complete air changes per hour are required to keep dust at an acceptable level. Although big open barns with space-boarded sides might accomplish this, it can never be achieved in a conventional low-roofed stable block with the standard half door and small window.

Clean air Although we pay particular attention to avoiding stable dust in horses with equine asthma, it is important to remember that all athletic horses need clean air.

For this reason, in addition to improving ventilation, dust-extracted alternatives to straw are preferred.

However, it is vitally important that all of the bed is kept fresh ie. when the wet patches are removed the banks are pulled into the centre with a large rake. In other words, there are no undisturbed areas of the bed (usually at the margins) where fungi may proliferate, even in supposedly ‘safe’ bedding materials such as paper or shavings.

Anti-cast tactics Ensuring the bed is banked at the sides is deeply rooted in equine folklore.

But experience suggests that this is largely decorative and has little or no

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

effect on reducing the risk of a horse becoming cast, unless perhaps the banks are huge – which they never are.

The author prefers an anti-cast wooden batten be attached to the wall about 60-90cm the whole way around the stable, and no banks around the edges.

Sleep deprived Concern about stable air quality, problems with straw availability and the widespread use of rubber mats, has resulted in the proliferation of multiple alternative bedding types.

In contrast to the traditional deep straw bed, these are often now used as a thin layer on rubber but on only part of the stable floor area.

Research has shown that horses spend three times longer asleep on their sides when bedded on straw compared to shavings, and lying time is reduced as the bedding depth gets shallower.

There is a concern that horses bedded on minimal postage-stamp sized areas of bedding might be sleepdeprived, because REM sleep requires the horse to lie on its side.

Sleep-deprived human athletes make more mental errors and have slower reaction times, increased injury rates, a less effective immune system and reduced athletic performance.

Maybe we underestimated the possibility of sleep-deprivation in stabled horses in modern management systems? The new Orcana sensor, which is attached to the rug and records lying time (among other things) might help owners monitor this and allow experimentation with bedding type, depth and area.

Ammonia in the air The use of rubber mats to minimise bedding has brought a new problem – ammonia in stable air.

Urine seeps down between the mats and the urine ‘footprint’ is permanently wet. Bacteria present in faeces, soiled bedding and on the floor convert urea in urine into ammonia gas, which then circulates in the stable air. Stables that appear to smell strongly of urine actually smell of ammonia.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has set the maximum permitted human eight-hour workplace exposure ammonia level for people at 25pmm; yet the level in stables can be as high as 250ppm or more.

If ammonia can be clearly smelled in a horse’s stable, the level is likely to be at least 50ppm or more, well above what’s safe. And although staff may be the stable for less than an hour, some stabled horses are forced to breathe this for up to 23 hours per day.

High ammonia levels irritate the horse’s respiratory system causing excess mucus production and interfering with oxygen uptake when

Horses bedded on minimal postagestamp sized areas of bedding might be sleep-deprived. www.equestriantradenews.com

23

Scattering a bowl of powdered lime on the urine footprint and into the gaps between the mats is a quick and simple way to reduce stable ammonia levels. Alternatively an anti-bacterial stable disinfectant can be used.

the horse is working.

By using the most absorbent bedding which is frequently removed, and by improving ventilation, the ammonia level will be diluted.

In addition, the use of a stable disinfectant - as distinct from one which is merely a deodoriser, as some are - or lime will inactivate the bacteria that are producing the ammonia. It’s an effective and cheap way to help control this problem.

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Better ventilation How can ventilation be improved in a conventional stable block?

Leaving the door open by using a chain across the doorway, removing glass from the all or part of the windows, drilling small holes in a line along the top of the back wall, and using space boarding where possible will all improve airflow in a stable.

Ventilation must never be restricted to keep horses warm – that’s what rugs are for.

Hay and dust Hay, irrespective of quality, is an important source of dust in a horse’s breathing zone. Changing to haylage or soaked or steamed hay will remedy this issue at a stroke.

However I advise against using hay treated in this way at all, as it inevitably means dry hay is present somewhere on the premises.

Experience shows that invariably at some time the horse is either inadvertently fed a dry haynet or it gains access to the stored hay in some way, or dry hay is stored in the same airspace as the horse.

It is far better in my view to change to haylage completely, especially in the winter months when horses are usually stabled for longer than in the summer.

And soaking hay in finger-chilling water is one less task the busy owner has to bother with at the beginning and end of short winter days.

• About the author: An experienced equine vet, Kieran O’Brien MRCVS is from Penbode Equine Vets, Tavistock, Devon.

atchy!

-M

Match y

Although this stable has the usual low banks of bedding around the edges, this horse with colic has still become cast.

www.equestriantradenews.com

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Bedding and Stable Tools

24

WHAT’S NEW ON THE YARD? Matchy-matchy stable tools and beating bedding price increases are just two talking points.

Price freeze initiative has unexpected benefits

BEDMAX is holding the price of its shavings by reducing the guaranteed bag weight from 20kg to 18kg.

The bedding manufacturer says it’s been forced to react to a 40% increase in the cost of timber – its raw material - during the last 12 months.

The new bag weight, effective from 1 February, nevertheless revealed unexpected benefits in pre-launch trials.

Thanks to Bedmax’s recent £1 million investment in plant technology, the 18kg bales contain more uniformly shaped, fluffier flakes for a more voluminous bed than the 20kg version. And less compaction means they’re easier for horse owners to work with.

For stockists and wholesalers, the bag dimensions remain the same, presenting no changes for stacking, storage or pallet transport. The bags also look the same.

Bedmax’s Littlemax shavings is already packed in 18kg bags.

Since ETN (July 2018 issue) reported on rising global timber prices, costs have continued to rise relentlessly.

“In the 20 years since we began researching how to make an ideal horse bedding, I have never known the cost of timber to jump like this,” said Bedmax managing director Tim Smalley.

“Over the past 12 months, prices have risen by over 40%, mainly because of the new demand from the biomass energy generation industry.

“We have always bought our timber from renewable UK forestry sources, so we can keep our environmental impact to a minimum, but this makes us vulnerable to the kind of major price hike we’ve seen last year when the limited UK supply comes under serious new pressure.”

Bedmax raised its prices last year. But as timber becomes more expensive, the company says it’s “taking a different route to maintain a competitive price in a highly competitive market.”

Bedmax has maintained a measured weight of shavings in its distinctive yellow bags since it began manufacturing the dust-free product in the year 2000. The bedding is sold almost exclusively through retailers.

No more bales needed to make bed Consistent quality remains Bedmax’s signature. “That isn’t always easy when you’re dealing with a completely natural wood product subject to the vagaries of weather and variation in the condition of your raw materials,” FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

says Tim Smalley.

“But we’ve always invested heavily in continuous improvement, and last year alone we spent another £1 million on new technology and more efficient management systems.”

He confirmed that reducing bag weights had enabled Bedmax to avoid a price increase. “And with the current uncertainties I think that’s essential for both retailers and customers.”

Before switching from the pressure-packed, compacted bags with a guaranteed weight of 20kg to the new 18kg version, Bedmax conducted trials across different equine sectors.

Trial users reported preferring the quality of the product in the lighter bags. The shavings were easier to fluff up and evenly distribute when making a horse’s bed, they said.

Significantly, it seemed to make no difference to the number of bags required to make a deep, comfortable bed in an average-sized stable. Users also said the slightly lighter weight bag was easier to handle.

“I’m very grateful indeed to those who have helped us reach this decision,” said Tim Smalley. “And to those who have unexpectedly reported that they think the weight reduction has actually improved their experience of using Bedmax shavings.”

New brooms set for well matched sweep AS well as launching its new Gorilla Brooms, Red Gorilla is set to meet the growing demand for matchy-matchy yard equipment.

The top-notch, dual-action Gorilla Broom has a clever, built-in scraper to shift stubborn dirt.

Extra strong bristles, with an anti-clog channel, work hard to clear away debris, even on wet surfaces.

These colourful new brooms will stand out in store too – because they match Red Gorilla’s range of stable tools in six colours.

Matchy-matchy products are massive for horse and rider – and now the trend is sweeping stable yards too. Indeed, Red Gorilla was first to produce an extensive range of products in matching colours.

The brand’s collection of stable management equipment includes everything to keep yards organised and clean. Highlights include the Gorilla Broom, Gorilla Tubs, Tidee, Weigh Tape, Shavings Fork, PC Bedding Fork and a multitude of accessories. www.equestriantradenews.com

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Bedding and Stable Tools

Award for bedding launch

All grown up

THE team behind BedKind, an equine bedding made from recycled cardboard, collected the Best New Product Launch award at the Marketing & PR Brilliance Awards.

The winner was chosen for best demonstrating its product’s clever, innovative ideas – showing customers why it’s new, relevant and worth trying out.

The judges praised BedKind’s launch campaign that generated big increases in website traffic and sign-ups.

The cardboard used for BedKind bedding is made in Bedfordshire by D S Smith. The company produces 15 billion boxes annually.

easibed equine bedding is celebrating its 18th birthday by giving away a host of prizes to consumers.

The dust-free wood-fibre bedding arrived in December 2000. To mark the milestone, the company has lined up 12 giveaways – one for each month of 2019 - including lessons with top riders, signed merchandise, tickets to equestrian events and free bedding.

“There’ll be lessons with international show jumper Chris Smith and international dressage rider Olivia Towers, as well as tickets to HOYS and bedding giveaways and merchandise signed by international show jumper Ellen Whitaker,” said sales manager Claire Hayward. easibed is also launching extra merchandise such as branded Thermatex rugs, softshell jackets and easi aprons for budding cooks. easibed merchandise is available to end users who collect easitokens from the 20kg bales.

Poo picking made easy COLLECTING droppings is painless with the Stubbs High Manure Collector and Scraper Rake from Abbey England.

It’s perfect for use in the stable, arena, horsebox and paddock (alongside a barrow).

The rake has a scraper on the back for dealing with shavings, wet bedding and on concrete/rubber floors or grass.

The High Manure Collector and Scraper Rake is the taller version of this brilliant bit of kit. Measuring 80cm high with the rake at 84cm, it saves adults’ backs from bending.

Available in black, blue, green, neutral, purple or baby pink, it retails around £19.99.

Sell more bedding

RETAI TIP L

HORSE owners are faced with a vast choice of bedding materials. And as well as making buying decisions based on price, they want to know how the bedding looks, feels and smells – and what it’s like to muck out.

So don’t be afraid to open a few different bales and provide samples for shoppers to experience. Perhaps you could ask your rep about covering the cost pass with your next order?

Mini examples of different bedding types, say in a series of cutdown cardboard boxes or cat litter trays, make a useful talking point – especially if customers can stand on the bedding and run their hands through it.

Other deciding factors when owners buy bedding is whether it can be stored outside, how much bedding is in a bale, how easy the resulting muck-heap is to dispose of and, of course, absorbency and freedom from dust.

By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Manufacturer of Horse Bedding Bedmax Limited Northumberland

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30/01/2019 16:30

Better Business

26 Eye contact with the audience is key when making a good presentation.

“UNACCUSTOMED AS I AM TO PUBLIC SPEAKING…”* Think of your most hated work-related task. Is it chasing outstanding bills, motivating recalcitrant employees, dealing with angry customers...? No, what many people really dread is having to make a presentation, says Adam Bernstein.

W

hether you’re about to make a pitch to an audience - at a conference, to potential investors or customers - there are ways of reducing the pain to the absolute minimum.

Prepare - and then prepare again

No one ever said that writing and delivering a memorable and effective presentation is easy. It requires, among other things, a modicum of common sense and the ability to relate to the audience.

An appropriate style is key. Gordon Brown, when he was shadow chancellor, produced a classic example of how not to present.

In 1994, he gave a seminar speech including the following: "Our new economic approach is rooted in ideas which stress the importance of macro-economics, post neo-classical endogenous growth theory and the symbiotic relationships between growth and investment, and people and infrastructure."

With an audience heading for the pillow, it’s easy to see why his style soon became far simpler, chattier and more open. It’s all about approachability if you want to engage with an audience.

Before writing a single word of a presentation, it’s critical to understand

the purpose of the presentation and the likely audience. Are you there to promote a business, to offer guidance; or is it to influence decision makers at, say, a board meeting?

Find out the size of the group, age range, gender, level of knowledge and whether humour is appropriate. Also establish whether they’re attending out of interest or because they have to attend (and if it’s in their own time or during the working day). This information will help form the presentation.

Consider also the logistics of the room – its size, how the seating is arranged, what equipment is onsite to help (microphone, projector, extension leads), and even parking in case there are heavy items to carry.

Consider the time of the presentation. Mornings are good as the audience will be alert, but late mornings are when thoughts turn to lunch. Early afternoon isn’t ideal as said meal can make some sleepy, while by late afternoon some will want to avoid rush hour.

By extension, those attending after hours or on the weekend should be more attentive since they hopefully want to be there.

Establish the length assigned to the presentation and where you might be in the running order. Plan to not over-run as it’ll have a knock-on effect on other speakers; similarly, try avoid being last in case your presentation is cut short.

Give the audience a reason to stay on side and off their smartphones.

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

www.equestriantradenews.com

27

Better Business The message and the power of three

Presentations need to get the point across quickly and simply. The audience needs to be able to grasp and remember the salient points of what’s being said; and the best way to achieve this is to stick three main points - ‘what’, ‘why’, and ‘how’.

‘What’ – this is all about the message. What is it you’re trying to tell the audience and what will they gain by listening to you?

‘Why’ considers audience reaction; why should they listen and agree with you? Establishing this point gives the audience a reason to stay on side and off their smartphones.

‘How’ offers a subtle call to action. Speakers rarely get anywhere by demanding action; they get much further by leading the audience into thinking about a response that ties in with the speaker’s agenda.

Another way to look at a structure is to have a beginning (introduction), middle (the message), and end (conclusions and takeaway actions).

As to how many points to make, that’ll be a function of time.

Some suggest three points for a short presentation, six for a half hour presentation, and eight points for a 45-minute presentation.

Control the content Start with who you are and why you’re presenting before attempting to grab the audience’s attention with the main points.

Your choice of language is key – as Gordon Brown found out – so ensure that it’s appropriate for the audience you’re presenting to. Avoid jargon and terms that others might not be familiar with; if they must be used, explain them in a way that’s easily understood.

Allied to this is the need to keep the presentation friendly. It’s precisely because presentations are spoken that it’s important to eliminate long sentences. Keep in mind that you’re trying to get your ideas over to an audience that may have come to the subject cold. So, keep sentences short and have a logical and simple structure to make it easy for the audience to comprehend the message.

If it helps, use examples – metaphors – to make the message more relatable. This is where well-placed and well-designed slides come into play to illustrate key points. Remember though, slides are there to illustrate and simplify a point – they shouldn’t need further explanations.

Most certainly don’t use slides laced with animations just to show you

can use a computer. And slides are not a substitute for the presentation, so don’t just read off the slides.

If you want to use slides and a projector, ensure you really do know how to use the equipment and software properly - and plan for failures.

Being prepared will protect against the unexpected.

Check, and double check, that the spelling is correct on any slides and handouts. If not, it will be noticed.

Giving the presentation Everything you do in the presentation will determine its success or otherwise, so practice the speech.

Make sure it runs to time. In some situations, a microphone will be cut off if you over-run; so if the conclusion takes two minutes, ensure it’s started two minutes before the allotted time expires. That said, you’ll be surprised just how hard it can be to fill time. And while the audience will generally be willing you on, you’ll not want to ‘die’ in front of them.

Eye contact is key. You’ll never engage with an audience while reading, head down, from prepared notes. But this doesn’t mean reciting the presentation from memory – there’s nothing wrong with cue cards, as TV presenters prove.

Similarly, don’t hide behind a computer or lectern. Also, position equipment so that you don’t need to turn your back on the audience. For examples of good presentations, check on YouTube for how Apple makes its product launches and also look for the TED Talks.

Give an introduction which previews what you are going to say – hopefully to gain the audience’s attention. And tell them you’ll take questions at the end to avoid unsolicited questions that disrupt your flow.

When it comes to the conclusion, sum up the main points and end decisively so that the audience knows you’ve finished and that they can fire over their questions.

One last tip. If, during the questioning, you don’t know the answer, don’t attempt to flannel because you’ll come off badly from the encounter. It’s much better to tell the questioner that you’ll take their details afterwards and come back with the appropriate answer.

Good luck. *Winston Churchill is said to have begun his first public speech with these words.

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Saddle Fitter of the Month

28

g n i t a r

b e l e C

THE BEST SADDLE FITTERS…

This award, presented in conjunction with the Society of Master Saddlers (SMS), recognises those whose good practise is making a difference to horses, riders and the saddlery industry.

ETN SADDLE FITTER OF THE MONTH:

Nicola Barry NOMINATED BY: Phil Lowe of Zebra Products who says: “I would like to nominate Nicola Barry with whom I have worked for nearly eight years.

“Being a very successful rider herself, Nicola knows how important a correctly fitting saddle is and how this can make a big difference to how the horse and rider perform together. Her attention to detail, whether she is assisting a 4 star show jumper or a Pony Club partnership, is second to none.

“Living locally to Nicola, I see her work on a regular basis and I’m only too happy to recommend her as I know she will do a first class job.”

Nicola Barry is an accomplished show jumper

ABOUT Nicola Barry: Raised in Leicestershire, Nicola’s equestrian career began when she was six months old with a Christmas rocking horse. By the time she was four, her passion had taken hold.

After graduating with a BSc (Hons) degree in equine sports science from Nottingham University, Nicola started working as a specialist advisor for Equissage. She’s since become a multi-faceted equestrian entrepreneur.

Nicola founded Buckaroo Saddlery, a busy retail operation based at Vale View Equestrian Centre, a major competition venue in Leicestershire. Buckeroo, which offers a full saddle fitting service covering English and international saddlery brands, is undergoing a major expansion due for completion this year.

A keen advocate of personal and professional development, Nicola was the first person in the UK to become an SMS Qualified FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

Saddle Fitter and an MSFC saddle fitting consultant.

She is also an accomplished show jumping competitor, working within the Sovereign Equestrian team to help produce young horses through to international grand prix level.

Nicola says: “Being able to immerse myself in the equestrian world has been fantastic for the progression of my competition performances and results. My involvement with Sovereign Equestrian and Buckaroo Saddlery has been a wonderful learning curve and has helped me better understand the inner workings of a team environment.

“More importantly, it has underlined the importance of the saddle, rider and horse interaction Nicola founded relationship and how this can Buckaroo Saddlery which offers saddle help improve my own personal fitting covering performances on competition day. many leading “Buckaroo Saddlery offers a saddlery brands. flexible partnership with customers whereby a personal service is arranged for fittings from on-location visits to clients’ homes and yards or alternatively by clients bringing their horses to Vale View where fantastic facilities are available.”

Nicola’s recent competition successes include winning a Connolly’s Red Mills Senior Newcomers Second Round and qualifying for HOYS on the six-year-old gelding, Be Caprivi.

Internationally, she headed a British whitewash in the young horse classes in Bonheiden, Belgium as well as jumping in world ranking grands prix with her other horses True Blue and Darien.

How to nominate a saddle fitter EVERYONE is invited to nominate a saddle fitter they feel deserves to be named ETN Saddle Fitter of the Month.

Candidates for the award must be SMS Qualified Saddle Fitters based in the UK or overseas.

To nominate a saddle fitter (or more than one), email editor@equestriantradenews.com and tell us why this person deserves to be put in the spotlight. Please include the saddle fitter’s name and business name too. www.equestriantradenews.com

29

Product News Extra

“We take the risk”: a new way to sell saddles

25% off supplements

TOPSPEC is offering 25% off all its supplements and additives at participating retailers throughout February and March.

The special deal covers the following: TopSpec All-In-One, a multi-supplement containing optimum levels of all the commonly-needed supplements balanced into one product. It’s designed for all horses and ponies, whether competing, in light work or breeding.

TopSpec Calmer is for equines with anxious behaviour, particularly those that cannot cope with stressful situations such as travelling and competing.

A palatable, caramel flavoured additive, TopSpec Healthy Hoof can be mixed into feed daily. It will improve the quality of most horses’ hooves over a nine to 12 month period.

TopSpec 10:10 Joint Support helps support joints subject to excess trauma and/or repeated wear and tear. It’s particularly suitable for hardworking and elderly horses.

TopSpec Digestive Aid can be added to any horse feed to help maintain a healthy appetite and digestive system. And TopSpec Electrolytes are designed to be used to compensate for electrolyte loss after heavy sweating.

Be my Valentine!

THE team at Weatherbeeta admit they returned after a decade to BETA International 2019 with equal measures of excitement and trepidation.

How would the trade react to the rebirth of Crosby, a Walsall Riding Company classic? What would the trade think of its brand new saddle brand, Enzo Trevizo?

“The reality is that the trade fair exceeded all of our expectations and we were able to gain a significant amount of support from UK and European saddle retailers and saddle fitters alike,” says Lynne Westwood of Weatherbeeta.

Key of this success was the company’s commercial proposition.

“On the lead up to the launch, we spoke to a number of saddlers about their biggest challenges in the market - and in particular what the challenge would be for them to take on a new, unknown brand,” said Lynne.

“The feedback was unanimous: too much stock, not enough cash and the question ‘How do we know consumers will want your saddles?’”.

Weatherbeeta’s response to that? “Let us take the risk and you reap the benefits…”

So there are two propositions: to become a fitter or become a stockist.

Fitter “Our aim is to have a network of fitters throughout the country that are able to fit the saddles that we sell online,” says Lynne.

“With every online saddle purchase, we will provide the end user with a free saddle fitting voucher that can be redeemed with any of our approved fitters. In exchange, the fitters will receive significant commission equivalent to the margin they’d make from the sale of most other saddle brands.”

Stockist “For those wanting to be listed as a stockist, and therefore hold stock, we’ve put together a proposition to enable saddlers to make maximum profit,” explains Lynne. “In addition to high margins, the support also includes test saddles, staff advocacy and support for local influencers.”

These propositions – plus the saddles themselves – ensured Weatherbeeta’s return to BETA International was met with wide acclaim.

GIVE your customers a chance to show how much they care about their horses on Valentine’s Day this month.

How about creating a ‘love your horse’ display in-store? It could include treats, licks and toys – plus some soft grooming brushes, massage mitts and coat gloss so owners can give their favourite equine friend a lovely pampering session.

Are you laminitis-ready?

BEFORE the Spring grass appears, retailers need to be ready with products to help owners keen to prevent their horses and ponies suffering from laminitis.

Shockingly, new research reveals that one in ten equines may develop at least one laminitis episode each year - making it just as common as colic.

The study was led by Dr Danica Pollard, conducted by the Animal Health Trust and Rossdales Equine Hospital, and funded by World Horse Welfare.

Published in the Equine Veterinary Journal, the study also identified that there is no ‘safe’ season; laminitis remains a threat across the UK all year round. So owners must remain vigilant and not reduce preventive measures when they mistakenly believe that the ‘high-risk’ period is over.

Horse owners are encouraged to consult their vets if they suspect laminitis, or if they notice any of the subtle clinical signs associated with the disease. By the time even subtle clinical signs arise, the damage within the foot has already begun, warn the scientists.

“Our findings indicate that laminitis is more common than we initially thought and occurs at similar rates to other health concerns, such as colic,” said Dr Pollard.

“We also need to stress that laminitis is not just a spring-time disease and it’s essential horse and pony owners remain proactive about its prevention at all times of the year.”

• See next month’s ETN for products to help combat hoof, leg and joint problems.

BETA International 2019

30

THIS SHOW RE-CHARGED THE BATTERIES Liz Benwell reports from BETA International 2019 at the NEC, Birmingham, on 20 – 22 January.

B

ETA International 2019 – its 40th running - took place against a backdrop of Brexit uncertainty. But the show responded magnificently in what is undeniably a tough trading climate.

The environment was business-like, with many exhibitors opting for an efficient rather than extravagant approach.

It was a compact, hard-working show. “There have been fewer window shoppers and more buyers – the quality of buyers has been very good this year,” summed up Janine Kell at The Golden Paste Co. “The show has been amazing,” said Philip Tyler, chairman of the BETA trade fair committee. “The new layout has made it very attractive for people to walk round.”

“Best BETA International for years,” was an oft-quoted comment about a surprisingly successful show. Maybe that’s because everyone wanted this event - which is run by the trade, for the trade - to thrive.

Recurring themes included environmental friendliness, merchandising support – with stands like stores, opportunities to diversify from pest control to dog products, lots to learn and a dash of entertainment.

Traditional saddlery bounced back with 11 British saddlemakers in the new Abbey England Pavilion. Bedding, stable yard equipment, rugs, feed and supplements underlined the show’s equestrian core. Country clothing, in particular footwear, was practical rather than pretty.

Sunday’s after-show drinks party – complete with spontaneous dancing - has become a must-attend BETA International fixture. A refreshed fashion show put smiles on faces.

With a solid turnout of serious buyers, the many exhibitors ETN spoke to were unanimous in their belief that ‘quality not quantity’ counts these days.

“We had a target group [of buyers] and they’ve all come,” said James Hitchen at Ideal Saddle Co. “It’s been really positive and we’ve taken a lot of orders.”

Enthusiasm “The show has been excellent,” said Sarfraz Mian of Neue Schule, exhibitor and BETA International’s main sponsor. “We have caught up with existing stockists and met new international prospects.

“People have been very FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

pragmatic in a challenging political environment. They realise they have a responsibility to ensure their businesses keep going. And the ones that are at this exhibition – both visitors and exhibitors - want to invest for the future. They realise they need to be fully aware of new products and offerings to revitalise their businesses.

“BETA International provides a virtuous circle where people come together and the positivity that creates gives them the enthusiasm to go back [to their businesses] fully re-charged to make plans for the year ahead.”

BETA International is organised by Equestrian Management Consultants (EMC), the commercial arm of the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) which has a BETA trade fair committee.

The attendance figure for BETA International is independently audited by Audit Bureau Circulations (ABC). ETN is the show’s official media partner.

Spotted around the show

The UK’s first range of organic compound horse feeds was • launched by Thunderbrook Equestrian. “There is no other current

certified horse feed,” said Stewart Jervis of The Soil Association, the body that accredits the majority of organic products in the UK. Thunderbrook’s Organic Fusion and Organic Herbalite underwent verification of ingredients, production and packaging to achieve certified organic status. “The whole process has to be organic,” explained Stewart. “Thunderbrook has been subject to the most rigorous inspections to ensure every element of these products is traceable, GM-free and made using no herbicides or insecticides.

“I’m delighted that The Soil Association has been able to certify a horse feed as organic for the first time.” www.equestriantradenews.com

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www.equestriantradenews.com

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

BETA International 2019 Congratulations to Sara Gracey of Millwheel Tackshop of • Warfield, Berks. As winner of the ETN prize draw, your store will

receive £1,000s worth of products and feature in a Retailer Profile in an upcoming issue.

Dressage rider Pippa Hutton, who called on her new sponsors • Champion and Toggi, is pictured with managing director SarahJane Fedarb. Champion is supporting rider safety at the Hutton family’s renowned Talland riding school by loaning helmets to everyone who has a lesson there.

•

Grays Equestrian Gifts has exhibited at all 40 editions of BETA International. In the early days of the BETA travelling trade fairs, the company transported every participant’s goods in its lorries from venue to venue. Greg Copeland, a former employee who bought Grays four years ago, reported “a busy show so far.”

Horseware combined its usual verve for technical advancement • with a reminiscent return to its roots via the original red and green Rambo rugs.

There was plenty for saddle fitters to see. Caroline Doolittle, of • Saunders Saddlery in Worcestershire, was among many checking out Weatherbeeta’s new Crosby and Enzo Treviso brands. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the show – or the reaction to our new saddle brands,” said Lynne Westwood.

Any excuse for cake… Equine Careers celebrated its 10th • birthday – and tenth time of exhibiting - at the show. Among

those to benefit from it recruitment services was visitor Arlyne Parker, who now works for retailer R B Equestrian and has just become an SQP. New aluminium • packaging made headlines

at Carr & Day & Martin. The company has swapped most of its plastic bottles for the 100% recyclable alternative, making it 77% plastic free.

Consumers who return their aluminium containers get vouchers redeemable at their local retailer against free product.

“It’s not practical, nor does it make sense, to simply stop using plastic altogether,” said chairman David Haythornthwaite.

“However, all of us can change to other more environmentally friendly materials whenever and wherever possible.”

On a stand depicting the devastating effects of plastic waste on our seas, Sam Cornall and Annie Sharpe are pictured with some of the new Carr & Day & Martin packaging. “We’ve been very busy and it’s been good to have the chance to explain this development to people” said Leigh-Ann Kilner. “We’ve seen buyers from Sweden, America and Spain as well as the UK.”

Having launched here last year, supplements specialist Omega • Equine was back and having “a very busy show,” according to

founder and former show jumper Paul Ainsworth. “We try to make everything easy for stockists with small order quantities and good margins of up to 60%,” he added.

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

32 Great British horse • care brand Thomas

Pettifer was back. Matt Robertson, of brand owner Talisker Bay, is so keen to revive the popular products that he gave up a budding legal career to do so. “At least half of everyone over 40 remembers Thomas Pettifer, and in particular Green Oils,” he told ETN. Matt is also studying the growing of herbs and their properties at Edinburgh Botanic Gardens.

“We’ve had a very good show with a number of brand new • European enquiries from the likes of Germany, Estonia and

France – and that has surprised me,” said Chris Bradwell at Stubbs England’s impactful stand. His son Ross has become the seventh generation to work at the British manufacturer of everything for the stable yard.

At Irish exhibitor Botanica, Sean Cooney said the show was the • company’s “best BETA International ever.” With a stand double the size of 2018, he added that sales were “well up on last year” and included a “huge order from Qatar. We were run off our feet!”

In a nod to BETA • International’s 40th running, Nikwax brought along a 40 year old saddle to demonstrate how its products can revive old leather.

“We’ve picked up an unbelievable number of new leads,” said Alan Walker. “We’ve been coming here for 20 years, and this is one of the best ever – a fantastic show.”

The Abbey England Pavilion, home to 11 British saddle-makers, • was like a leather village – complete with the camaraderie unique

to these craftsmen and women. “It’s been so good to meet everyone, exchange ideas and get feedback,” said Lesley Faultless of DLF Saddles. “Quite a few visitors have commented that they came this year especially because of the chance to see more British saddlery and saddle-makers.”

At one of the • busiest stands,

Battles’ Anna Dewey-Clarke reported seeing “a really good flow of visitors.” Anna is pictured with showing producer Sharn Linney who’s sponsored by Battles’ HY brand from which the Little Rider range proved enormously popular. www.equestriantradenews.com

33 It was a clean • sweep for Red Gorilla’s managing director Dean Cox. “It’s an absolutely fantastic show,” he said. This stand – themed to show how best to use PoS materials while highlighting special offers – also displayed Red Gorilla’s many innovative and original lines in stable and yard tools and tubs.

The horse/dog • crossover – and the

huge potential it offers retailers – meant expertise from Suzie Law and Richard King (pictured) at TopSpec Equine and VetSpec respectively was in high demand. “We’ve had the best show ever across export and UK business,” said executive chairman Philip Tyler. “I’ve been amazed by the response to our new dog products and the advantages retailers are seeing of diversifying into new products to increase margins.”

“We’ve had a fantastic time. It’s a brilliant show and really well • organised,” was the verdict from newcomer Wendy Hutchinson at 100% Natural Equine.

Unicorn horns, saddle pads and jods for babies were among • the highlights at debutant QHP Holland. “We’ve taken plenty of orders and had lots of new enquiries,” said UK sales agent Tina Farrow. Glitzy saddle and boot jewellery were interesting lines here.

2019 4 ANNIVERSARY

TH

THANK YOU to all of our sponsors, exhibitors, and visitors from the BETA International Team

“I haven’t had a minute to myself,” said Bobby Taak at Gallop • Equestrian when ETN editor Liz Benwell finally managed to catch

him between customers. “It’s been such a good show.” Matching rugs and accessories in the Monarch range, full seat silicone breeches, exclusive show-only lines and offers, plus an upgraded footwear collection from deck shoes to super-soft leather boots guaranteed this stand pulled in the buyers at its tenth BETA International. www.equestriantradenews.com

www.beta-int.com The Voice of the Equestrian Industry

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EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

BETA International 2019

34

The snow • held off until the

show closed – just! But chilly temperatures outside plus some clever heated clothing ensured buyers flocked to see Nick Bradley at Blaze Wear.

•

Pest control products with a merchandising unit on wheels were proving poopular at new exhibitor Zero In Ultra Power. “We came to step up our distribution within the equestrian trade – and we’re really pleased with the show,” said Dennis Embleton (right) pictured with company founder Edwin Allingham.

“BETA International had become more of a shop window – • but this year we’ve been taking orders,” said Jan and David Foster of Grub’s. Top attractions at this footwear brand were its new leather collections for men and women.

Vale Bros teamed • up with Gizapaw to

“It’s been brilliant, especially with the number of saddle fitters • here,” said Michael Loveridge at Evolution Horse, home of a

system that keeps saddle pads centred, secure and off the horse’s spine. “We came here wanting to get into the right shops and businesses – and we’ve found exactly what we wanted.”

® Natural Supplements for Horses

introduce this flashy (literally) dressage whip.

Rechargeable red LED lights and a white torch on the whip’s top have safety as well as fun factors. “We have been quite busy and seen a lot of foot-flow through the stand,” said Stacy Coates.

A competition ‘legal’ neckstrap was also new here.

INNOVATION IN SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING

The same top-quality products in new packaging • New Kraft paper bag to replace plastic tubs • New eye-catching design • Strong shelf presence • Single-size with multi-buy discount • Unique “new for old” swap deal for retailers

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Tel: 01460 270701 | Email: tradesales@hiltonherbs.com | www.hiltonherbs.com www.equestriantradenews.com

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

35

BETA International 2019

“We’re so glad we came. We’re having a good show with • many people very interested in us,” said Egle Dziaukstaite-

Tamosaite of new exhibitors Comco. The Lithuanian company won many fans for its colourful, bamboo based and silver infused saddle cloths.

Elico Equestrian was • bang on trend with its

flamingo themed Lycra hat covers. “Our new footwear has also been very well received,” said Elizabeth Ellis. “We’ve been busy right through until four o’clock. We’ve picked up new leads and met lots of existing customers.” Pictured are the Jenkinsons Equestrian team behind Elico – Keith and Elizabeth Ellis with their sons Richard and Stephen.

Subaru • made its first

appearance at BETA International for many years when Halesowen based main dealership Drive in Autocentres provided a courtesy car and displayed vehicles within the halls. “We enjoyed ourselves, it was a really good show,” said Trevor Kelleher from the popular countryside car brand.

“We’re bowled over with BETA International,” said Louise • Austin of first-time exhibitor Red Horse Products. “With Brexit

The clever, colourful Slow Hay Feeder – a sort of solid haynet • – was a big talking point at BETA International newcomer Holland Animal Care. “Retailers want something eye-catching for their shops – some candy store appeal,” said Tom Vaanholt of the company from The Netherlands.

Attractive, environmentally friendly cardboard packing for supplements and care products was shown too. “We do a lot in Europe but we’re interested in exploring the UK market,” added Tom. “We’re really satisfied with this show, the type of customers and their orders.”

looming, we’ve got to get ahead, so it’s been great for us.

We’ve had lots of interest and several orders, including one from Slovenia.”

Louise and her husband Sam, who farm near Henley-onThames, founded Red Horse Products a decade ago after creating products to solve equine issues from ears to hooves. Exhibiting was made possible thanks to a grant to expand their production facility on the farm.

If you left BETA International feeling pleased but tired, spare • a thought for Kathy Stringer. Not only did the assistant producer

at film-makers Equine Productions cover miles of carpet in the exhibition halls each day, but she went for an 8km run once the show closed. Why? Well, Kathy will represent Great Britain in the duathlon (run/cycle/run) world championships in Spain in April. Good luck, Kathy, we hope BETA International proves the ideal training ground.

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EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

BETA International 2019

36

RETAILER REACTION

W ha t BE TA In ter na tio na l 20 19 vis ito rs tol d ET N… • Matthew Severn of Manor Equestrian, Nottingham: “I’ve been coming for at least ten years to see new product trends, and the innovation awards are always interesting. It’s also a great opportunity for networking. There are some great bulk buy offers and discounts available, and we like the education aspect. It’s great to spend a bit of time on the opposite side of the counter and be a customer for a change, too.”

• Vicky Southern of Ecogreen Equestrian, Northwich, Cheshire: “I’m here to look for new, natural products to add to our range. I’ve been quite impressed, there have been a few products I think would work for us.”

• Sophie Horner of Diverse Farming, Sleaford, Lincolnshire: “This is our first visit in a while, so we’ve come to see the lie of the land and look out for products, particularly rider clothing. The whole event is great for networking, and we’ve seen some great riding tights.”

• Barbara Found of Mini Mates, Peterborough: “It’s a great chance to catch up on new ideas. And if you’re not sure about a product, you can find out much more about it.”

No horsing around...

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FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

• Ellie Jones and David Main from Buckinghamshire based online retailer Exclusively Equestrian encountered the show’s resident robot: “We bought the business a year ago and it’s nice to be able to see so many suppliers in one go,” they said.

• Harriet Haivers of The Newark Saddler, Newark: “We’re here mainly to look at bridles and saddlery equipment. It’s a good opportunity to renew relationships with businesses like Abbey England. We don’t have a lot of shop floor space but I’m quite tempted by the Red Gorilla products. I’ve been impressed this year; the new layout is good. My colleague Judith Ross very much enjoyed the speakers, especially Victoria Pendleton.”

• Victoria Highfield of Highfield Equestrian/Online for Equine, Staffordshire: “I like the new layout, it seems more accessible, more open. We come for all three days. It’s a great chance to see what’s new. We’re definitely influenced by the innovation awards; this year the therapy magnetic chaps from Equilibrium Products caught our eye.”

• Sharon Cunniffe of Wychanger Country Store, Taunton, Somerset: There’s lots of information available and it’s a great chance to build relationships. We’re particularly looking for giftware as that's a new departure for us. We like the new layout but the signage could be better – maybe overhead signage so you can see it from a distance.”

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR - BETA International 2020 will be at the NEC, Birmingham on 19 – 21 January. www.equestriantradenews.com

37

STANDING OVATION AT BETA INTERNATIONAL 2019

A REPUTATION BUILT ON SAFETY

H

igh-quality stands are a hallmark of BETA International, where almost 250 companies from around the world are on parade at this prestigious trade buying and business event.

To celebrate and reward the hard work and dedication that goes into delivering aesthetically pleasing commercial space, each one is automatically entered into the show's Best Stand Awards.

These are divided into two categories – Best Large Stand (32 square metres and over) and Best Small Stand (under 32 square metres) to reflect the different types of exhibitor in the halls.

Judging is carried out by a pair of independent judges. At BETA International 2019, these were Amanda Chadwick, of the Croner Group, and Kim Pengelly, of the show's chosen charity, Hope Pastures.

This year, the winners were:

BEST LARGE STAND Winner: Toggi Judges’ comments: “A beautiful stand that is open and inviting with small, intimate areas for meetings and discussions. We also liked the discreet sales areas for hats, body protectors and clothing – and the way that they made good use of height to display boots and hats. Staff were clearly branded in smart uniforms, pleasant and helpful.”

Highly commended: Platinum Judges’ comments: “A rustic stand that was warm and inviting, with eyecatching water usage.”

BEST SMALL STAND Winner: Harcour Judges’ comments: “This stylish stand has the feeling of a proper shop. Staff were extremely knowledgeable about the products and keen to provide information and deal with queries.”

Highly commended: Stubbs England Judges’ comments: “An impactful stand that really caught the eye and had staff who were clearly branded and happy to help.”

“Congratulations to our winners – they have done a brilliant job in creating stands that are both effective and extremely inviting,” said BETA International organiser Claire Thomas. “The standard in the halls was incredibly high, but our judges certainly rose to the challenge as they spent many hours in search of four exhibitors worthy of our hotly contested trophies.” www.equestriantradenews.com

T h e A w a r d Wi n n i n g

RE VOLUT ION M IP S D E LU X E CHAMPIONHATS.COM

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

38

A catch-up with some BETA International 2019 exhibitors WOW Saddles Stand Name: WOW Saddles Stand Number: H10.5G What will be your hottest product for 2019? – WOW Saddles – we have lots of new variations with new jumping saddles being added to the very popular dressage and eventing saddles. We also make saddles specifically for Iberian, Spanish and Friesian horses, as well as for Polocross, Endurance and Horse Back Archery.

Tell us about your sponsored riders or if you’re supporting competitions or events this season.

In the UK we are sponsor The Dressage Rider, Richard Davison, The Eventer, Francis Whittington and David Britnell, Show Jumpers Anna Powers and Cath Fowdrey and Endurance Riders Lizzie Platt and Graham(carrot) Hartley. We also sponsor international eventers, endurance and dressage riders in Europe.

In 2018 we sponsored the MCI Iberian Horse European Championships, The Saddle Research Trust Conference and The Hors and Hound Dressage championships. We will be looking at sponsoring similar events in 2019.

Will you be busy on social media? - We have very active Facebook and twitter pages as well as an excellent web site and a YouTube channel.

Visit: YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/wowsaddles TWITTER: www.twitter.com/wowsaddles FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/wowsaddle Email: sales@wowsaddles.com Telephone: 044 (0) 1227 831614 Website: www.wowsaddles.com

Charles Owen & Airowear Stand Name: Charles Owen & Airowear Stand Number: K2.1 What will be your hottest product for 2019? We anticipate that our new line of helmets that incorporate MIPS technology will be our hottest products for 2019: the My PS, My PS with Wide Peak and the MS1 Pro. The addition of MIPS technology will essentially add a ‘top up’ to the already high performing head protection offered by Charles Owen's helmets. Each of these three new helmets will carry an SEI certification to ASTM F1163-15, Kitemarks to VG1 01-040 2014-12 and PAS015:2011, and a CE mark to VG1 01-040 2014-12. The addition of the MIPS layer will be certified by the MIPS test house in Sweden. The My PS is a stylish Charles Owen helmet with an outershell made of ABS plastic to give riders the elegant look of a Charles Owen helmet infused with modern style and a deep fit. The My PS with Wide Peak adds the elegant and feminine look of a wide peak that shades the face and upper neck from the harmful effects of the sun. Finally, the MS1 Pro is a groundbreaking jockey skull and the first of its kind to incorporate MIPS technology.

Its ABS outershell offers a deep fit made secure with a unique padded harness. All three of these helmets feature 10 ventilation slots for superior cooling.

Tell us about your sponsored riders or if you’re supporting competitions or events this season. We’re proud to sponsor riders at the top of all three Olympic disciplines and to be part of top international events around the globe.

Will you be busy on social media? Where can retailers find you to share your news?

Yes! Retailers can always find the latest from Charles Owen on our social media networks, including: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlesowen.us/?ref=bookmarks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlesowenhelmets/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesowenhats Email: info@charlesowen.co.uk Telephone: +44 (0)1978 317777 Website: www.charlesowen.co.uk

STUBBS ENGLAND

make a positive influence on the industry in this way.

Will you be busy on social media? Where can retailers find you to share your news? @stubbsengland on twitter, / wbstubbs on facebook. If you are interested in teaming up to run a promotion or similar please contact Ross@STUBBSENGLAND.com.

Email: Info@STUBBSENGLAND.com Telephone: +44 (0)1949 850 218 Website: www.STUBBSENGLAND.com

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Stand Name: STUBBS ENGLAND Stand Number: H3.1 What will be your hottest product for 2019?

Customers at BETA were strongly attracted to the new RETRO and CLASSIC families of product. The Lidded Hayroller was further recognised as the serious field feeder and boredom breaker. Business was brisk!

Tell us about your sponsored riders or if you’re supporting competitions or events this season.

We prefer to work with various charities and organisations throughout the year. These have included: Springwood Riding Club, Hesteyri Horses Charity Ride, UK Polocrosse Association, The RDA and the BETA International Feed Helpline Award. We prefer to

Perry Equestrian Stand Name: Perry Equestrian Stand Number: F3.1 What will be your hottest product for 2019? The SafeTie, Eco-Skip Feeders and Glitter Stable Hardware was very popular at the BETA International show, we expect these to be very popular throughout the year.

Will you be busy on social media? Where can retailers find you to share your news? Yes, we can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. https://www.facebook.com/perryequestrian/

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

https://twitter.com/ PerryEquestrian https://www.instagram.com/ perryequestrian/ Email: sales@perryequestrian. co.uk Telephone: 01384 414001 Website: www.perryequestrian. co.uk

www.equestriantradenews.com

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Aigle International UK Stand Name: Aigle International UK Stand Number: P3.2 What will be your hottest product for 2019?

Parcours 2 Vario – Handcrafted in France, this versatile boot features an anti-fatigue sole for maximum comfort to the wearer.

The know-how and expertise of our Master Rubber Craftsman have honed the process for over 165 years, passing unique knowledge through the generations, to create a durable, timeless and authentic product.

Will you be busy on social media?

After a successful re-launch of the Aigle UK Instagram (@aigleuk) in April of 2018, we look forward to another busy year.

Early 2019 will also see the launch of the Aigle UK Facebook, so there will be some exciting projects ahead.

Where can retailers find you to share your news?

Email: uksales@aigle.com Telephone: +44 (0)1608 813860 Website: www.aigle.com/uk/en

Lintbells Equine Stand Name: Lintbells Equine Stand Number: D5.4 What will be your hottest product for 2019? Our YuMOVE Active Joint for horses.

This is our advanced joint support for horses that are in medium-hard work or are getting older and need that support for joint mobility.

Tell us about your sponsored riders or if you’re supporting competitions or events this season.

We will be attending Badminton, Burghley, Gatcombe and Your Horse Live this year.

In addition we have several sponsored riders including Lydia Hannon, Harriet Wright and Levi William Hunt.

Will you be busy on social media? Where can retailers find you to share your news?

Email: info@lintbells.com Telephone: +44 (0)1462 790 886 Website: www.lintbells.com

Emerald Green Feeds Stand Name: Emerald Green Feeds Stand Number: K11.1 What will be your hottest product for 2019? The product that is flying out of the doors or us is Meadow Magic, our low sugar and starch meadow grass pellet has been incredibly popular since its launch.

Tell us about your sponsored riders or if you’re supporting competitions or events this season. We will, as always be having a busy season with shows and events.

From Badminton Horse Trials in the south west to Blair Horse Trials in the highlands you will find our team out and about. The Emerald Green Feeds Brand Ambassadors (Sarah Bullimore is pictured) all have busy schedules this year so when we can we will be out supporting them on the road and of course our Brand Ambassador Ros Canter will be having her first baby this summer so we are very excited to meet the newest brand ambassador for the Ros Canter Eventing and Emerald Green Feeds Team!!

Will you be busy on social media? Where can retailers find you to share your news? Find us on our Facebook page Emerald Green Feeds and see what antics the team are up to next.

Email: info@emeraldgreenfeeds.co.uk Telephone: 01526 398236 Website: www.emeraldgreenfeeds.co.uk www.equestriantradenews.com

AUTUMN/WINTER 2019 COLLECTION

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EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

Innovation Awards

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Equestrian Trade News

THE BEST PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY AT BETA INTERNATIONAL 2019 T h e Vo i c e o f t h e E q u e s t r i a n I n d u s t r y f o r

1979 2019

YEARS

sponsored by

T

he arrival of this year's array of dazzling new products was celebrated in the Innovation Awards – leading B2B accolades – during BETA International 2019.

Sponsored by Equestrian Trade News magazine, the awards are designed to reward creativity, craftsmanship, technology and inspirational invention. Every exhibitor is invited to enter products in the competition, provided that they have not been introduced to the market during the 12 months preceding the show.

All products entered into the awards' eight categories are considered by a panel of independent judges – each carefully chosen for their skills and expertise in a specific field. This year, those with the challenging task of selecting the winners were British Eventing team vet Liz Brown, master saddler and saddle-

fitting expert Kay Hastilow, Steve Hodgson, owner of retail store Nags Essentials, Kathryn Jaquet, managing director of retail business RB Equestrian, independent equine nutritionist Catherine Rudenko and international event rider James Sommerville.

“We have been bowled over by the quality of new products being launched at BETA International,” said show organiser Claire Thomas. “It’s extremely exciting to see the industry working so hard to generate all these fantastic new things, with a great deal of enthusiasm, time and money being invested in them.

We were thrilled to see the winners collect their trophies and our congratulations go to all those who played a part in their success.”

The winners of the 2019 Innovation Awards were...

PET PRODUCTS Winner Company: Product Global Product: Mud Daddy portable washing brush This 5-litre brush with built-in sprayer combines water and air pressure, with no need for mains electric or a battery.

Judges’ comments: “An innovative and versatile product with multiple uses, the brush can be taken everywhere and kept in a car.”

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

Highly commended Company: The Golden Paste Company Product: TurmerEase A complete turmeric supplement for dogs and cats, TurmerEase is ethically sourced, has 100 per cent recyclable packaging, supports joint health, aids digestion and promotes coat, skin and general health and wellbeing.

Judges’ comments: “The attractive packaging features useful information on ingredients for a product with an appealing smell.”

Tel: + 44(0)1423 503319 Email: sales@goldenpastecompany.com Website: www.goldenpastecompany.com

www.equestriantradenews.com

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www.equestriantradenews.com

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

Innovation Awards

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COUNTRY CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR Winner Company: Sioen UK Product: Baleno Pembroke jacket This jacket with soft, printed fabric in a traditional tweed style is light, stretchy, waterproof and breathable.

Judges’ comments: “We loved the magnetic pockets and tailored cuffs, and the waterproof tweed is eye-catching.”

Highly commended Company: Grubs Boots Product: Cyclone boot The new boot from Grubs features an Australian, V-cut, three-piece, full-grain Iberian leather upper and oil and acid-resistant sole.

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

Highly commended Company: Aigle International UK Product: Mujal vest This quilted vest is designed in a lightweight and water-repellent fabric.

Judges’ comments: “We really liked the traditional look and comfort of this vest.”

Tel: +44 (0)1608 813860 Email: salesuk@aigle.com Website: www.aigle.com/uk/en

Judges’ comments: “We were particularly impressed with the boot’s sleek lines, combined with hard-wearing sole.”

Tel: +44 (0)1204 567 700 Email: sales@grubsboot.com Website: www.grubsboot.com

www.equestriantradenews.com

43

Innovation Awards

GENERAL Winner Company: Stride Innovations Product: Steady wrist band This training aid helps riders to maintain a low hand position, which can be set from a mobile phone, with high, medium or low sensitivity.

Judges’ comments: “Here is a genuine innovation suitable for riders of all levels and abilities, providing a benefit to performance.”

Tel: +44 (0)800 689 5048 Email: support@stride-invent.com Website: www.estride.store

R Highly commended Company: Crafty Ponies Product: Stableyard set Love ponies - play and learn!

All the tack and equipment looks realistic, and works realistically, in this stableyard set, which comes with illustrated booklets to help children learn.

Judges’ comments: “The many accessories, all with educational information, make this an interactive product with a craft element.”

Tel: +44 (0)7496 170156 Email: contact@craftyponies.co.uk

www.equestriantradenews.com

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

Innovation Awards

44

RIDER CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR Winner Company: Mountain Horse Product: Illusion reflective jacket This technical padded jacket features reflective threads integrated to fabric on the upper part, front and back, and has a detachable hood and waterrepellent finish.

Judges’ comments: “The Illusion is a smart, practical jacket with clever use of reflective technology.”

Tel: +46 300 566 200 Email: info@mountainhorse.se Website: www.mountainhorse.se

Highly commended Company: Ariat Europe Product: Devon Pro Nitro boot The latest Devon Pro boot, featuring Nitro technology, boasts premium full-grain leather on the upper part, with a soft leather lining and cushioning around the top line and shorter zip than previously.

Judges’ comments: “This stylish, quality, high-end boot is backed up with sound technology.”

FEED & SUPPLEMENTS Winner Company: NAF Product: Five Star Magic Five Star Magic, which has helped owners, riders and horses to retain calmness, confidence and concentration, now has a new formula tested in trials.

Judges’ comments: “This is a well-researched and presented product, clearly labelled and with instructions that are easy to understand. We were impressed with the depth of research and development that has gone into the new formula.”

Tel: + 44 (0)800 373106 Email: info@naf-uk.com Website: www.naf-equine.eu/uk

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

www.equestriantradenews.com

45

Innovation Awards

HORSECARE EQUIPMENT & [HORSE] CLOTHING Winner Company: Equilibrium Products Product: Therapy hind and hock magnetic chaps These chaps, designed to be worn in the stable to support hock health, fit the contours of the horse’s hind legs closely to ensure comfort without restrictions, overtightening or slipping.

Judges’ comments: “Cleverly designed and of excellent quality, the Vitaflex magnetic chaps fit beautifully to address the long-time issue of slippage and are commercially viable at a good retail price.”

Highly commended Company: Horseware Products Product: Amigo Bravo 12 Reflectech Plus Med rug This rug, with interwoven reflective yarn in the body and hood, increases a horse’s visibility in low light and nighttime conditions.

Judges’ comments: “The innovative fabric is impressive and the product quality fantastic, with a good profit margin in a high-end market.”

Tel: + 44 (0)845 241 4941 Email: uksales@horseware.com Website: www.horseware.com

Highly commended Company: Comco Product: Silver bandage pads The fabric of these bandage pads contains silver ions with antibacterial and antistatic properties for maximum hygiene and comfort.

Judges’ comments: “The silver technology makes these pads good for skin conditions and injuries.”

Tel: + 370 698 31854 Email: marketing@comco.lt Website: www.comco.lt/en

www.equestriantradenews.com

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

Innovation Awards

46

SAFETY & SECURITY Winner Company: Charles Owen/Airowear Product: MS1 Pro jockey skull This new skull introduces MIPS (multidirectional impact protection system) technology to the Charles Owen range of helmets, providing greater protection at speed.

Judges’ comments: “This is a genuine innovation in safety, lightweight, with good fit, shape and ventilation, and removable liner.”

Tel: + 44 (0)1978 317777 Email: info@charlesowen.co.uk Website: www.charlesowen.co.uk

Highly commended Company: Finest Brands International Product: Champion Revolution MIPS deluxe hat A REPUTATION BUILT ON SAFETY The hat offers six areas of protection, using MIPS (multi-directional impact protection system) technology.

Judges’ comments: “We were very excited by the use of MIPS technology, as well as the great quality and labelling. This is a product that Champion and retailers can really shout about.”

Tel: + 44 (0)113 270 7000 Email: info@championhats.co.uk Website: www.championhats.com ®

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

www.equestriantradenews.com

47

Innovation Awards

SADDLERY & TACK Winner Company: Bliss of London Product: Sportiva Dressage FLX saddle The saddle features a fully interchangeable knee block, allowing existing blocks to be angled or changed to a completely different shape and style.

Judges’ comments: “We found this to be a really exciting idea, neat and well designed.”

Tel: + 44 (0)1922 745151 Email: nikki@bliss-of-london.com Website: www.bliss-of-london.com

Highly commended Company: The Bombers International Trust Product: Relaxed Performance Weymouth bit This spring-loaded bit is designed to ensure a relaxed performance by the horse, softening the curb and poll pressures typically associated with a Weymouth bit.

Judges’ comments: “This is an innovative design we have not seen before.”

Tel: + 44 (0)1825 840002 Email: info@equineman.com Website: www.bombers.co.za

www.equestriantradenews.com

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

BETA International 2019

48

BETA INTERNATIONAL MARKS ITS 40TH YEAR

BETA International celebrated its 40th year by living up to its global reputation as the unmissable three-day buying and business event for equestrian, country clothing, outdoor and pet products. ETN reports.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! The show’s 40th-birthday celebrations were marked with a cake cutting. Pictured right (left to right) are BETA International organiser Claire Thomas, BETA chair Ian Silman, former trade association secretary Penny Marriner, BETA president Jane Holderness Roddam and executive director Claire Williams, Trade Fair Committee chair Philip Tyler and Sonya Cox of the NEC doing the honours, to much applause from members of the trade – many of whom could recall the early days of BETA International themselves.

THE GOLDEN GIRLS Visitors were thrilled to meet and listen to the show's three “Golden Girl” guests – Olympic track cyclist-turned-jockey Victoria Pendleton (pictured), Paralympic dressage rider Sophie Christiansen and 2018 World Equestrian Games eventing champion Ros Canter – who have all won gold medals in their sports careers.

Victoria revealed that she had her first riding lesson only a year before jumping 22 fences to finish fifth on Pacha du Polder in the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham in 2016. “He could jump anything with his eyes shut,” said Victoria, modestly. “It was one of the happiest moments of my life.” Now, she is retraining two former National Hunt racehorses.

When a lack of oxygen forced her to abandon her attempt to reach the summit of Everest in a TV programme with Ben Fogle, Victoria subsequently suffered depression and anxiety. “Being around the horses was a big part of my recovery,” she said.

Sophie spoke of her decision to “start again” after taking a break following her three gold medal wins at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

She said her new horse, Harry, is “a very, very sensitive chap” under pressure but they are well into preparations for Tokyo 2020.

Ros, who shortly before her BETA International appearance announced that she is expecting a baby in July, recalled her World Equestrian Games experience on Allstar B, taking both team and individual gold medals.

After 10 years of competing, she found herself catapulted into the spotlight. “I still have to pinch myself that it has actually FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

happened,” she told the audience. “It has been a real whirlwind. I always dreamed of being an event rider but never really believed I could do it.” www.equestriantradenews.com

49

BETA International 2019

TALKING BUSINESS

ITV newscaster Alastair Stewart was back in the halls as the popular host of Talking Business, BETA International's gritty industry debate. This year's panelists were Trilanco managing director Martin Balmer, Horseware Ireland CEO Tom MacGuinness, retailer Kevin Galbraith, of Ayr Equestrian, Lisa Lemieux, director of Horse Health and the LeMieux brand, Philip Tyler, executive chair of the TopSpec Group, and Doug Walker, president of the Weatherbeeta Group.

Inevitably, the uncertainty surrounding the possible effects of Brexit was top of the bill. Kevin thought it was necessary to “sit tight and try to stay as positive as we can”, while Tom lamented the “mountain of paperwork” that might result. Lisa said her business was stockpiling products so that it could “keep supplying our customers and do our best”.

The changing role of wholesalers and distributors, some now supplying their own brands, was also debated. Martin said: “The wholesaler’s role has not changed. We’re always bridging a gap between manufacturers and retailers. We support the brands that put their trust in us.”

Meanwhile, Philip said his business offered feeding advice to potential customers – “although we always direct the customer into the retailer”.

But Lisa said: “Some wholesalers are putting so much money into building their own lines and brands, and not so much effort is being put into brands like ourselves, which is what a traditional wholesaler should do.”

Doug added: “A typical shop still deals with maybe 500 suppliers. In most industries, that’s almost unheard of.”

FASHION SHOW Fashion continued its reign at BETA International, with the Fashion Show flagging up some of the sassiest rider and country collections to date.

With new organiser and choreographer Victoria Thomas, of Red Ice Productions, in charge, things definitely shifted up a gear, with a decidedly high-octane performance on the runway.

A professional dancer and actor, Victoria brought an exciting, fresh vibe to the daily shows with new models, edgy dance routines and a music score that stays in your head for weeks.

Buyers took their seats to see scenes from Montar, Bucas and Covalliero, Horseware Products, Toggi, Champion, Percussion Clothing, Horse Health Trade and Charles Owen/Airowear.

www.equestriantradenews.com

VISION OF THE FUTURE Retailers were given a glimpse into the digital age of robots and hi-tech shopping at Vision of the Future – an area complete with a Sanbot Elf robot and revolutionary app designed

by Jisp to enhance the customer experience.

To enable visitors to appreciate its many benefits, the app could be downloaded beforehand and used to access product and general information from around the halls – including garment details at the Fashion Show.

THE CHARLES OWEN SPOTLIGHT The Charles Owen Spotlight remained busy throughout the show, with a full programme of seminars, celebrity interviews – and the Fashion Show – taking place every day.

Each session was industryspecific, with presentations

by Amanda Chadwick (pictured) on the latest employment legislation and quirky ways for retailers to increase profits, Michelle Goodall on social media advertising, Charles Owen’s Roy Burek on the use of new technology in equestrian safety, Neue Schule’s Heather Hyde with bitting tips, the Neue Schule Avansce division’s Dr Caroline Benoist on its rider-performance Synchronicity System, Kay Hastilow on the use of technology in research, design and saddle fitting, and Kim Pengelly, of the 2019 show’s chosen charity, Hope Pastures.

Christine Paine, head of inspections and investigations at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, led the SQP seminar Prescribing for Horses and Inspections Update – What an SQP Needs to Know, worth eight CPD points, Claire Williams's Safety Update seminar provided five CPD points for BETA-trained City & Guilds safety garment fitters and Kate Hore, of NAF, hosted the seminar Nutritional Support of a Calm Outlook, worth four CPD points.

AFTER-SHOW DRINKS Following its introduction last year, the free After-Show Drinks on Sunday were popular again. Industry colleagues and friends gathered to celebrate BETA International's 40th year with the trade fair's organising team over glasses of bubbly and delicious canapés.

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

50

NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH HEALTHY HORSES – ECO FRIENDLY PACKAGING Hilton Herbs has re-launched its tried-and-tested range of equine dry supplements in new Kraft paper bags in a determined effort to reduce the company’s 9-tonnes a year consumption of plastic tubs. The new bags have a colourful design with pictorial directions for use and they are easily displayed with a strong shelf presence. There will be a single size with multi-buy discounts and retailers are being offered a unique ‘old for new’ swap out deal.

ELICO KIRKSTALL COUNTRY BOOTS. RRP £94.95 These leather country boots are made from a waterproof outer and have an attractive contrasting stitching.

The discreet calf gussets are ideal for comfort and the top is finished with drawstring detail.

They have a comfy soft lining and hard-wearing soles to give good grip in all conditions, making comfortable and durable country boots.

Colour: Dark Brown Sizes: 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43

T: +44 (0)1924 454681 E: sales@jenkinsonsequestrian.co.uk W: www.jenkinsonsequestrian.co.uk

MORETTA AVISA DECK SHOES New for 2019, these comfortable, great looking deck shoes are ideal for relaxing and fun days. Nubuck finish leather, removable leather insoles with moulded support, leather laces, rubber soles and the Moretta badge.

Available end of March.

Colour: Navy, Aqua Size: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 RRP: £49.99

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

T: +44 (0)1460 270701 E: tradesales@hiltonherbs.com W: www.hiltonherbs.com

T: +44 (0)1568 613600 E: sales@shiresequestrian.com

GORILLA BROOM®

CRAFTY PONIES

The all new Gorilla Broom® stands out from the crowd in 6 ‘Matchy matchy’ bright glossy colours, to complete the Red Gorilla® product range. With the same top quality build synonymous with Red Gorilla® the Gorilla Broom® is made to last and gets the job done! The anti-clog tough bristles make light work of sweeping the yard in all weathers and the built-in scraper blade easily shifts dried on dirt. We have now introduced the option to buy the broom complete as well as separately. With all new easy to display packaging and various profit packs, the Gorilla Broom® will enhance any store and increase sales.

Gorgeous soft toy ponies with realistic tack that looks and works just like the real thing so that children can have fun and learn about ponies! Full colour illustrated booklets included with every product

T: +44 (0)1455 848184 E: sales@redgorilla.red W: www.redgorilla.red

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

T: +44 (0)7960 513655 +44 (0)7496 170156 E: contact@craftyponies.co.uk W: www.craftyponies.co.uk

www.equestriantradenews.com

51 THOMAS PETTIFER GREEN OILS Often referred to as “the miracle green stuff”, this traditional product combines the powerful antiseptic agent 'chloroxylenol' with natural oils to cleanse and soothe minor wounds, cuts, abrasions and rashes. An absolute must for every tack box.

FULLY FLEXIBLE SADDLE RANGE Designed in the quest to develop the perfect saddle to improve equine welfare and performance. SMART™ FLEXTech™ Technology protects the horses back from pressure and trauma; flexing with the movement of the horse enables freedom of the shoulder, back and trunk, whilst supporting the rider in the saddle.

T: +44 (0)1909 720259 M: +44 (0)7738 711099 E: smart@solutionsaddles.com W: www.solutionsaddles.com

T: +44 (0)1655 750523 E: matt@thomaspettifer.com W: www.thomaspettifer.com

WEATHERBEETA COMFITEC ESSENTIAL STANDARD NECK LITE The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Essential Standard Neck Turnout Rug provides strong classic style at a great price in a standard neck design available for Spring in a fun NEW Duck/Daisy Print. Super strong and durable 1200 denier ripstop weave waterproof and breathable outer with repel shell coating. Lite 0g polyfill with 210 denier Oxford polyester lining. Features include traditional shoulder gussets for natural movement, twin chest buckles, twin low cross surcingles, adjustable leg straps, and a standard tail flap. This rug is covered by the 3 Year WeatherBeeta Warranty for Waterproofness, Breathability, Fixtures & Fittings. Also available in Navy/Silver/Red, NEW Purple/Silver/Blue in sizes 4’0 to 7’3. RRP from £69.99

FLEXARS Flexars are a mix between jodhpurs and riding leggings, can be used for riding, the gym, casual or maternity. We have taken the quality and durability of jodhpurs and combined it with the flexibility and comfort of riding leggings, with a few added features along the way. Made from 17 individual pieces of material to fit your unique body and with a super high waist and no buttons or zips, Flexars are designed to be comfortable, flattering and fit for purpose.

Available to fit UK sizes 4-20. Children’s sizes coming very soon!

T: +44 (0)1276 470988 M: +44 (0)7500 833008 E: loraine@flexarswholesale.com W: www.laflexequestrian.com

T: +44 (0)1295 226900 E: sales@weatherbeeta.com W: www.weatherbeeta.com

EAR BALM

GIZAHAND LED WHIP Highly visible whip which has 3 features designed to help make riders more visible to motorists and other road users during the day and during low light conditions.

Riders can select the lights on their whip to flash, or switch to constant mode. A handy torch light is fitted into the whip cap. Fitted with a rechargeable batteries via a USB charge point, running time up to 8 hours.

T: +44 (0)808 164 0723 E: info@redhorseproducts.co.uk W: www.redhorseproducts.co.uk

www.equestriantradenews.com

T: +44 (0)1922 642222 E: sales@valebrothers.co.uk

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Soothing salve for horses. Dry, irritated ears can be a great source of annoyance to horses, causing them to head toss and be generally irritable. Ear Balm can be used on any skin on your horse to moisturise and soothe irritation.

Ear Balm contains natural oils and butters to help keep horses’ ears and faces moisturised and comfortable during the dry summer months.

BETA Business Awards 2019

52

BETA celebrates the best!

2019

S

ome of the best-known names in the equestrian industry gathered to celebrate the winners of the 2019 BETA Business Awards, which were announced during the British Equestrian Trade Association's annual Gala Dinner, at the National Motorcycle Museum, near Birmingham, on Monday 21 January.

These highly prized awards were presented to companies and individuals judged to have made outstanding contributions to the trade.

Winners collected their trophies at this important and eagerly anticipated event in the equestrian calendar.

Gala Dinner guests were treated to a champagne reception and three-course dinner before dancing the night away with a disco provided by Keratex. Fun followed in the BETA Party Photo Booth and a BETA raffle was successful in raising £1,144 for the Riding for the Disabled Association.

“A great sense of excitement and anticipation has been building since nominations first opened for the awards, so we were delighted to be able to announce the winners at last,” said BETA executive director Claire Williams. “The industry has played a hugely important role in supporting the awards and we would like to thank our sponsors and all those who have taken part. We would also, of course, like to congratulate our winners, who have all done so incredibly well to have their achievements recognised in this way.”

The winners of the 2019 BETA Business Awards were...

WEATHERBEETA GROUP RETAIL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Winner: Jennifer Mitchell Jennifer receives the Retail Mitchell, Employee of the David Year Award from Doug Walker, of Conchie the Weatherbeeta Saddlery, Group.

Carnoustie, Angus This award recognises the employee showing initiative, excellence in customer service, product knowledge and commitment to professional retailing. It is intended for shopfloor employees only, not managers, and nominations were invited from employers or sales representatives.

The finalists were interviewed to Kelly Mitchell determine the is a runner-up winner, who in the Retail received a cash Employee of the Year prize of £200, category. with BETA training vouchers going to her employer.

One of the judges said of Jennifer, who has worked for the same company for the past 30 years: “It was refreshing to find someone who, after many years in the trade, is still eager to provide good service and sound advice. She is a credit to our trade and a very worthy winner.”

Runners-up: Joint runners-up – Kelly Mitchell, of Carrs Billington, Penicuik, Midlothian – Kirstie Arnold-Jones, of Joshua Jones UK, Sturminster Marshall, Dorset FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

BETA TRADE SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR Winner: Shires Equestrian Products This award goes to the manufacturer, wholesaler or distributor judged to offer the best in delivery, customer service, product knowledge and awareness of retailers’ Shires' Marcus Cridland and Malcolm Ainge are presented with their award by BETA executive director Claire Williams. requirements.

Nominations from both retailers and suppliers themselves were accepted.

Judging of shortlisted companies was followed by a retail members’ vote.

One nominator said of Shires, which has won for the third year running: “It is not often in this day and age that you can have such complete confidence in a company that you deal with.” Another added: “Shires is always so helpful and the bosses are always available to help with any queries.”

EQUINE CAREERS SALES REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YEAR Winner: Anna Bing, Saddlery Brands International This award rewards excellence in product and customer knowledge. Retailer nominations were followed by votes and an interview with the finalists.

Anna Bing After interviewing receives her Anna, a judge said: award from “We could see that Emma Dyer, or Equine Careers. she is a member of our trade who is truly focused on providing sound knowledge of her subject and has a keen determination to do the job well.” www.equestriantradenews.com

Maintaining condition throughout the winter months

Jane Harper & Crimewave II

Veteran Vitality

R

From the First Signs of Ageing • High in fibre with a good calorie level to help with weight maintenance • Highly palatable with natural herbs, including: Mint, Nettle, Dandelion, Garlic and Fenugreek • Contains linseed – a good source of Omega 3 • Fully balanced with essential vitamins & minerals* • Contains a probiotic and a blend of prebiotics (FOS & MOS) for healthy digestion • Made with high quality Non-GM ingredients *when fed at recommended levels

For more information contact your Allen & Page Area Manager or call our Sales Team on 01362 822 900 or email helpline@allenandpage.co.uk Quote Ad Reference: Veteran Vitality Trade

www.allenandpage.com

BETA Business Awards 2019 SEIB RETAILER OF THE YEAR This award, for tack shops and feed merchants, received nominations from more than 1,000 individuals for 150-plus companies. It is divided into two categories – Equestrian Retail Store and Online/Mail Order Retailer – with the choice of winner based on the number of nominations, mystery shop visits and incognito calls.

Equestrian Retail Store Winner: Ride-Away Equestrian, Suttonon-the-Forest, North Yorkshire One of the nominators described the winner as having “excellent product choice and customer service, a Nikita Norman and Hayden Tuck, of Ride-Away clean and organised Equestrian, are presented with their winner's award by Nicky Mackenzie, of SEIB. store, with nothing ever too much trouble”. A judge said: “The advice provided by an assistant was some of the best we received during the judging process and we particularly Tower Farm Saddlers' (left to right) Rebecca Kirk, Jean liked the thoughtful Costello, John-Henry Welton and Prudence Welton touches such as a tub collect their certificate and champagne as runner-up. of Quality Street left on the counter for customers.”

Runner-up: Tower Farm Saddlers, Rugby, Warwickshire Online/Mail Order Retailer Winner: GS Equestrian, Paignton, Devon “The company offers quick delivery, clear communication and is always willing to help,” said a nominator of GS Shau-Wei, Sarah Addis, Dan Hunt and Tony Rowe Equestrian. “Its website receive GS Equestrian's award from Nicky Mackenzie. is well-designed and uncluttered, which makes if very easy to find relevant information, select products and order.” Judges added: “We received plenty of helpful advice and experienced easy ordering and returns process, and great customer service.”

Runner-up: Houghton Country, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland EQUESTRIAN EVENT OF THE YEAR SUPPORTED BY HENSON FRANKLYN Winner: Olympia Horse Show This accolade acknowledges the event at which tradestands are present that best works with its exhibitors and takes their needs and requirements fully into consideration, and views its tradestands as an integral part of its success.

A trade nominator said BETA president Jane Holderness Roddam, on of Olympia Horse Show: behalf of the Olympia Horse Show, is presented “Its organising team is with the award by Robert Lindsay, of Henson great and the show itself Franklyn. has displayed the most improvement and continues to be innovative, with plenty of new and challenging layouts. Stand holders are really looked after and last year we had tea and coffee as well as an exhibitor lounge.

Other shows could learn a lot from them.”

The award was accepted on behalf of the Olympia Horse Show

by Jane Holderness Roddam.

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

54 BETA SPONSORED RIDER OF THE YEAR This award acknowledges sponsored riders who make the greatest contribution to the trade and is presented to those who have participated fully in building a relationship with their sponsor to yield good results for both.

Winner: David Britnell Nominator Red David Britnell collects his award Horse Products from BETA president Jane said: “Our Holderness Roddam. relationship with David has far exceeded our expectations. He has gone out of his way to shine a light on the products he believes in. In our first year, thanks to David, we saw our brand trot down the centre line at Bramham, Barbury and Gatcombe, which was a thrill in itself – and his participation in the Event Rider Masters series really amplified our brand exposure. In addition to this support, he also offers teaching to Red Horse Products competition winners, social media interaction, videos of the products in use and wordof-mouth promotion to service providers and clients alike.”

STUBBS ENGLAND NUTRITIONAL HELPLINE OF THE YEAR Winner: Allen & Page This accolade goes to the company that offers exemplary service in nutritional advice to customers, both trade and retail.

Customer Allen & Page's (left to right) Telissa Blowers, Sarah Parkinson nominations and Joanna Palmer are presented with their award by Chris – a record Bradwell, of Stubbs England. number this year – were followed by incognito telephone calls.

Judges said of the winner: “We were extremely impressed with their attention to detail and explanations that were easily understood and clearly explained. They were engaging, with a genuine interest in the customer – equine and human – and provided follow-up that was nothing short of outstanding.”

CERIS BURNS EQUESTRIAN EXPORT AWARD Winner: Science Supplements This award is presented to the company that has achieved sustained increases in export activity over a three-year period.

A judge said: “Export sales and growth are very impressive and indicative of having Vicky Mitson, of Science Supplements, receives the a good product winner's award from Ceris Burns. that they have worked well to position in key markets. I like the fact that they have appointed an export manager, partnered with leading feed companies in Germany and Finland, and adapted product packaging for certain markets, as well as developing new products for them.” www.equestriantradenews.com

55 TSM SOCIAL MEDIA AWARD This award rewards the company that best embraces social media and uses it to powerful effect throughout its marketing strategy.

It is divided into two categories – those who spend 20 hours or less a week on social media activity and those who spend more than 20 hours on it. The judging panel considered application, presentation, innovation and use, originality of content, compelling nature of presence, interaction with audience and accuracy and engagement of information.

20 Hours & Under Winner: Treehouse Sporting Colours Judges felt the company's social media was easy to find, pleasant on the eye, enjoyable, informative and full of short but interesting posts and a business-like focus, with its area of specialism shining brightly throughout.

Treehouse Sporting Colours' Charlie Morris is presented with the winner's award by Tim Smith, of TSM.

Over 20 Hours Winner: The Saddle Bank Judges liked the accessibility of all its social media platforms, regular, informative and interesting posts – with fun ones added to the mix. Each channel worked well together and content was designed to complement rather than clash.

Trusted by riders for more than 30 years Jade Smith receives The Saddle Bank's award.

BETA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Winner: Mark Romain This year’s BETA Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Mark Romain, was honoured for the huge contribution he has made to the saddlery industry. He has contributed to the training of hundreds of apprentices and Mark Romain is presented with the BETA Lifetime more than 1,500 Achievement Award by Jane Holderness Roddam. saddlery course candidates. He has also visited saddlery businesses all over England, providing technical advice and on-site recruitment, as well as monitoring and assessing training programmes.

In 1986, after 13 years working at the bench for saddlery specialist Sydney Ingram & Son in Salisbury, Mark became saddlery and leatherwork adviser to the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas, which later became the Rural Development Commission and subsequently the Countryside Agency.

In 2000, he and his wife, Dawn, set up the Saddlery Training Centre, which today has an internationally renowned reputation as one of the leading sources of saddlery training and is the only centre in the UK to provide the government’s Modern Apprenticeship Scheme.

He has served on the SMS executive committee since 1991, becoming president in 1999, and in 2011 received the society’s own Fellowship. In 2014, Mark was made an MBE for services to the saddlery industry and saddlery training in the UK and overseas. www.equestriantradenews.com

Thorowgood T8 Leather seat & knee pad Dressage £645

Thorowgood T4 Suede effect seat & knee pad Cob GP £495

Saddles made in England

changeable gullet

Adjustable Gullet Bars conformation design

Saddles made in England

changeable changeable girth gullet straps

Saddles made in England

changeable changeable conformation design gullet shimz

moveable changeable blocks girth straps

Saddles made in England

Thorowgood.com EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019 conformation design

changeable girth straps

changeable shimz

moveable

changeable changeable shimz

stuffing

changeable stuffing

moveable with real blocks leather

conformation

with real leather

Gala Dinner Social Diary

56

A glittering affair‌

Champagne flowed and the red carpet was rolled out at the 2019 BETA Gala Dinner, where guests arrived to party in style. Dressed to the nines, they gathered with friends and colleagues for an evening of celebration and revelry.

Neue Schule’s Sarfraz Mian and Jonny Worth share a joke over after dinner coffee.

Enjoying the champagne reception are the Weatherbeeta Group's party of (left to right) Kim Medhurst, Nick Bending, Robyn Cherry, Doug Walker, Chris Hughes and Bea Meitiner.

Looking forward to a fantastic evening ahead are Team R&R Country (left to right) Tina Addy, Wendy Beal, Joe Lindsay, Sue Moxon and Amy Shipley.

Alison Sherwood Bruce, of Equilibrium Products, enjoys a catch-up with Shires Equestrian's Malcolm Ainge and Marcus Cridland.

Cheers! The Bliss of London party raise their glasses. . . Left to right are John Hirrell, Melanie Hirrell, Paul Jeffrey, Julie Hayward, David Rollinson, Rich Neale, Bert Sheffield, Nikki Newcombe, Sally Brothwell and Neil O'Connell.

Guests at the BETA table gathered after a delicious three-course meal are (standing, left to right) Bob Hook, ETN editor Liz Benwell, Alison Sherwood Bruce, BETA executive director Claire Williams, gala dinner host Philip Ghazala and (sitting, left to right) Harold and Norma Smithson, Anthony Hayward, BETA PA Philippa Macintosh, BETA press officer Deborah Hayward and BETA PA Tina Hustler.

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

www.equestriantradenews.com

BETA Members' Page 57

Join us to back rider safety BETA Safety Week is back for 2019 following its successful launch last year. This truly international initiative will take place from 27 April to 5 May. It proved a massive hit with retailers, manufacturers and riders, and propelled rider safety right to the top of the leader board. We had no idea how well it would be received – we could only hope – but, in the end, it did a fantastic job of uniting the industry and consumers in one shared goal.

This year, the campaign will adopt its hallmark format with a punchy social media presence, embracing information, advice, tips and competitions. We would love our retail and trade members from this sector to take part, so please get in touch if you want to participate.

Five Minutes with. . .

Ian Silman THIS feature provides the ideal opportunity to put faces to names and find out a little more about the people who are BETA members – including those with a place on the BETA Council. This month, we catch up with IAN SILMAN, master saddler and coowner of Somerset-based Equicraft Saddlery, who has just begun his two-year term as BETA chair.

Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A BETA MEMBER AND WHAT COMMITTEES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? I have been a member of BETA for 17 years. During this time, I have sat on both the PR and Retail Committees.

Q: WHY DO YOU FEEL BETA MEMBERSHIP IS IMPORTANT? Businesses need to be more professional and the BETA badge shows that they have attained a certain standard. It was important in the early days and it is probably even more important today. Retailers are a key part of the trade and BETA is for them. The Retail Committee looks after retailers and remains focused on the issues that affect them. BETA also offers some great benefits to its retail members, such as the £50 subsidy to offset the costs of visiting BETA International, food & beverage vouchers and the BETA show voucher scheme. I would love to see some younger retailers join. We could do with some new ideas and a fresh outlook.

Q: IN WHAT WAYS CAN YOU SUPPORT BETA? Helping out at one of the many shows or events where BETA has a presence is a great way to support the trade association and make new friends. Generally, if I'm asked to help and I can do it, I will. Last year, my wife, Dee, and I travelled to New Zealand for the BETA/SMS introductory course in saddle fitting. We went there independently, treating it as a bit of a holiday, but were really happy to link up for this initiative.

New BETA training courses for 2019 AMONG a diverse range of new training courses for our members in 2019 is the Rider Safety Equipment Fitting Course, which provides hands-on tuition in hat and body protector fitting, an update on standards, the manufacturing processes and how they relate to human anatomy.

The course takes place at HAPPA, Burnley, Lancashire, on 20 March and Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on 26 June, and carries 20 CPD points for qualified fitters. The cost is £80 for BETA members, £160 for non-members and £125 for SMS members. Please contact Philippa MacIntosh if you would like to book a place.

Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR YOUR TERM AS CHAIR? In this digital age where people get so many emails, they don't always read them. I am going to speak with lots of our members face-to-face, taking my caravan up to Scotland and travelling down the country, meeting members on the way. So don't be surprised if you get a call from me saying that I would like to come to see you.

Q: HAVE YOU ALWAYS WORKED IN THE EQUESTRIAN SECTOR? No, I was once a supervisor at Imperial Tobacco, in Bristol. When it closed its production site at Hartcliffe, I moved to the cigar-making side of the business until I later took redundancy. As part of my package, I was offered alternative training, so went to Mark Romain and took my Levels One, Two and Three in saddle and bridle making. While I was there, I was also working at Equicraft, which had been set up by Dee. While working as a master saddler, I made saddles and document bags for Bristol Police and head kits for their horses.

Q: WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE? I think it is time to take things a bit easier, as we tend to travel around a bit too much. It would be good to help out with training others – to pass on to people what we have learned over the years.

Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE WORK? Yes, I'm learning to play the guitar.

For further information

CONTACT TINA HUSTLER AT BETA Tel: 01937 587062

Website: www.beta-uk.org Email: tina@beta-uk.org East Wing, Stockeld Park, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS22 4AW

Claire Williams, Executive Director , claire@beta-uk.org, Philippa Macintosh, Assistant to Claire Williams, philippa@beta-uk.org, Tricia Nassau-Williams, Field Officer, tricia@beta-uk.org, Ann FitzGerald, Secretary, ann@beta-uk.org, Deborah Hayward, Press Officer, deborahh@beta-int.com www.equestriantradenews.com

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019

Classified

CCJs

58

County Court Judgments from England and Wales and the Scottish version, which are called Court Decrees.

The judgments listed are those recorded by the Registry Trust Ltd and appear to be of a commercial nature. Judgments/Decrees can be for damages rather than debts, and their listing here does not imply an inability to pay.

STOCKIST REQUIRED

STOCKISTS REQUIRED for the

BE NICE HALTER SERIES II (UK) (By kind permission of the late Be Nice Halter Company - USA)

The most effective halter you will ever use now crafted with care in the UK

Call us now for a competitive quote Contact Beth Crow on Tel. 01937 582111 Email: bethc@beta-int.com

HACK AND TACK LIMITED, 19 WHINCOVER MOUNT, LEEDS, LS12 5JX, £1,083

“beware of imitations” Tel: 07767 687983 Email: janet@thewesterndepartment.com Web: www.thewesterndepartment.com

Dragon Display Advert 90w x 40h.qxp_Dragon Display Advert 90w x 40h 01/06

SHOP FITTINGS

HACK AND TACK LIMITED, 19 WHINCOVER MOUNT, LEEDS, LS12 5JX, £2,767

Bring your display up-market! (without breaking the bank) Makers of shop-fitting systems. for Clothing & equipment: including equestrian centres.

www.dragondisplay.co.uk

Display Systems Ltd

01952 290055

CAROLINE JONES T/AS CHURCH VIEW EQUESTRIAN STABLES, CHURCH VIEW EQUESTRIAN STABLES, COLEY ROAD, HALIFAX, WEST YORKSHIRE, HX3 7SA, £1,916 samantha.roberts@agecko.com

DEBT COLLECTION

Equestrian Trade News

SIMPLY RUGS EQUESTRIAN LAUNDRIES LTD, CHURCH FARM, WEST STREET, LILLEY, LUTON, LU2 8LH, £2,843

T h e Vo i c e o f t h e E q u e s t r i a n I n d u s t r y

A 2-person team to promote and sell a long established brand of equine accessories Hours and remuneration negotiable Must be very self-motivated, full UK clean driving licence.

Preferably have a good working knowledge/interest of horses and related accessories Product training will be given to the successful candidates.

Please enquire with CV and list of experience to isabel@pp-uk.com

T h e Vo i c e o f t h e E q u e s t r i a n I n d u s t r y

Coming soon in ETN. . .

Equestrian Trade News

Exhibition team required for equestrian events nationwide Based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

Equestrian Trade News

RECRUITMENT

APRIL ISSUE

• F eed for performance: winning formulae T h e Vo i c e o f t h e E q u e s t r i a n I n d u s t r y •A MTRA accredited SQP CPD feature (nutrition module)

List your website here

For more information call 01937 582111

• T op to tail grooming: fly and coat care products plus T h e Vo i c e o f t h e E q u e s t r i a n I n d u s t r y summer sheets • S tay safe: hats and body protectors, hi-viz and protective footwear T h e Vo i c e o f t h e E q u e s t r i a n I n d u s t r y

•C lothing and footwear: new season styles

Editorial for consideration should be received by 1st March 2019.

Telephone: 01937 582111 Email: editor@equestriantradenews.com FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

www.equestriantradenews.com

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Rhinegold Thor Outdoor Rug

Product Code: 652 Colours: Navy, Grey Sizes: 4’6” to 7’3”

WAS £37.50

NOW £28.50

Tough 1000 denier, ripstop, waterproof breathable outer, it has a heavyweight 350gsm polyfill with breathable nylon lining.

Product Code: 664 Colours: Black/Red, Navy Sizes: 4’6” to 7’0”

WAS £29.50

NOW £21.50

T: 01243 672323 | F: 01243 672424 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2019 E: sales@snowhill.ltd.uk | www.snowhilltradesaddlery.co.uk

www.equestriantradenews.com

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WAS £9.50

Rhinegold Premium Tech Celltex Rug Moisture-wicking properties, box weave design with vented spine and a fixed full neck.

NOW £24.50

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Product Code: 787 Colour: Black Sizes: S, M, L, XL

WAS £39.50

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Product Code: 722 Black: S, M, L, XL Navy: L, XL

Product Code: C699 Purple: 4’6” to 7’0” Navy: 4’6” to 7’3”

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Traditionally styled, quilted jacket.

Double zip, knitted storm cuffs and detachable fur trimmed hood.

Tough 1000 denier, ripstop, waterproof breathable outer, it has a heavyweight 350gsm polyfill with breathable nylon lining.

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Rhinegold Siberia Quilted Jacket

Insulated gloves with a non-slip palm for working and riding in the cold.

Rhinegold Aspen Full Neck Outdoor Rug

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Product Code: 723 Colours: Black, Navy

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Super stretchy, knitted beaniestyle hat with faux fur bobble.

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Rhinegold Thinsulate Velcro Cuff Winter Riding Glove

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Wholesale Saddlery and Country Clothing Suppliers

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Snowhill Trade Saddlery

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...it works !

LIVERYMAN

FENCEMAN FENCEMAN

- 30°C - 22°F

ULTIMATE COMFORT Insulation - 30°C - 22°F

Features

Safety

Size range

wide fitting

EU: 36 > 49 UK: 3,5 > 14 US: 4 > 16

excellent grip ergonomic footbed

04

S4

S5

X3 LIGHTWEIGHT

Lighter than rubber or PVC

THERMAL INSULATION Cool in summer, warm in winter

DURABLE

Last longer than traditional materials

Agrihealth Mackey Equestrian Catalogue 2019/20 now available

20151008_DEF_BB_StepliteX_Landb_5talen.indd 1

14-10-15 14:05

Agrihealth

TRUSTED SINCE 1966

For your copy call 028 3831 457 or visit www.agrihealth.co.uk

Mackey Equestrian by Agrihealth

FEBRUARY 2019 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS

Agrihealth www.equestriantradenews.com TRUSTED SINCE 1966