BETA Business Awards celebrate cream of the equestrian trade

Feb 25 2010

Landmark equestrian events, riders and retailers, large and small, were honoured in this year’s British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) Awards. Celebrating outstanding contributions to the equestrian industry, the awards were presented at the BETA Gala Dinner – a glittering social extravaganza held at the Motorcycle Museum, near Birmingham, on 21 February.

More than 400 people gathered for an entertaining evening of champagne, fine dining and a party mood that carried on into the small hours as guests danced the night away. People gave generously in a charity raffle in aid of Riding for the Disabled, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

The BETA Business Awards, now in their seventh year, have become a high point of the equestrian calendar. “BETA congratulates all award-winners,” said BETA executive director Claire Williams. “Their amazing achievements are a heartening indication that enterprise, excellence and enthusiasm are thriving throughout our industry.”

The winners were...

Haygain Nutritional Helpline Award

Winner: TopSpec Equine

With an increasing amount of feeds and supplements on the market, giving the trade and consumer more choice than ever, BETA wished to highlight the importance of reliable and accessible nutritional advice.

Following trade and public nominations, final judging was based on nominations and ‘mystery callers’ posing questions designed to challenge each helpline. TopSpec wins this award for the fourth successive year.

A retailer who nominated the winner said: “They have helped a large number of our customers with a range of problems and, to date, their recommendations have resulted in satisfied customers and beneficial sales for us.” An incognito judge added: “This one is in a class of its own!”

Equestrian Trade News Sales Representative of the Year

Winner: Grahame Poole, T.H. Loveday
Runner-up: Nikki Newcombe, Black Country Saddles

This award, presented by Equestrian Trade News magazine, recognises excellence in product knowledge and service to retail customers. Retailers were asked to nominate potential winners.

Grahame Poole has been with T.H. Loveday for almost 35 years. One of his nominators described him as “a rep worth breaking the ‘appointment only rule’ for”, adding: “We can trust him absolutely in following his guidance on what and how much we order.”

Harry Hall Retail Employee of the Year

Winner: Jean Costello, Tower Farm Saddlers

This award is given to the shopfloor employee showing initiative, excellence in customer service, good product knowledge and a commitment to retailing.  Jean, who used to be a school cook, has worked for Tower Farm Saddlers for four years.

“Her enthusiasm and dedication shine through and she has a pleasant and caring manner,” said a nominator. The independent judge added: “She was most welcoming on the phone and her personal attributes would have encouraged me to make a purchase on the strength of this call.”

Joules Equestrian Event of the Year

Winner: Blair Castle International Horse Trials

This award was inspired by the vital role that tradestands play in ensuring the success of many outdoor and indoor shows. Trade exhibitors from the show circuit were invited to nominate the event that works best for them. The winning event, now in its 21st year, is held over four days every August.

“The organising team treat the trade as well as they do the visitors,” said a nominator. “They run an event with entries that surpass anything else in the UK, at the same time as a country fair and huge BSJA competition.”

BETA Trade Supplier of the Year

Winner: Horseware Ireland
Runner-up: Black Country Saddles

Judged by the retail trade, this award goes to a manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler considered to be in tune with its customers’ needs – offering efficient delivery, service and product knowledge.

A nominating retailer praised Horseware Ireland’s “helpful sales and office staff”, adding: “Their innovation and product development is class-leading and their reaction to the market and changing trends surpasses that of all their competitors.”

SEIB Retailer of the Year

Large Retailer category

Joint winners: Wadswick Country Store, Corsham, Wiltshire, and Robinsons Country Leisure, Cannock, Staffordshire

Small Retailer category

Winner: Iron Horse Equestrian Supplies, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Runner-up: Stroud Saddlery, Gloucestershire

Mail Order/Internet Retailer category

Winner: Ingatestone Saddlery, Essex
Runner-up: Feedmark, near Harleston, Norfolk

This award is divided into three categories – large, small and mail order/Internet retailers. It is presented to those retailers who offer outstanding customer service. Final judging took suppliers’ votes into account, as well as visits by mystery shoppers.

Large Retailer

A consumer nominating Wadswick Country store praised its level of service: ”Professional, helpful staff always have time for customers no matter what their level of riding.” The mystery shopper judge agreed, noting that the shop was well presented with knowledgeable staff.

Joint winner, Robinsons Country Leisure was complimented by both customers and judges for great service, friendly staff and easy location.

Small Retailer

A customer nominating Iron Horse Supplies said: “It always goes the extra mile to supply everything the horse owner could need at a competitive price.”  The judge enjoyed the “extremely pleasant shopping experience” where the staff were “thorough and informative in their approach”.

Mail Order/ Online Retailer

Ingatestone Saddlery’s wide range of goods was highlighted by customers, one of whom said: “They stock an excellent range of products – they stand ‘hands’ above the rest.” A judge concluded: “Ingatestone was my winner for sheer enthusiasm, on top of good service and sound advice.”

TSM Rider Award

Winner: Sam Griffiths

This award acknowledges the way successful riders work hard for their sponsors. An independent panel of judges selected Sam Griffiths as this year’s winner. The popular event rider moved from Australia 15 years ago and is now ranked fifth in the HSBC FEI Classics standing. He was reserve for the Australian team at the Athens Olympics and was shortlisted for the Beijing Games. He has ridden several horses to top 10 placings at Badminton, Burghley and Blenheim.

Sam was nominated for the award by his sponsor, Equilibrium Products, which said: “Sam has been instrumental in the design and development of a number of our products. On top of this, he is always happy to make appearances for us at shows or offers his time for course walks.”

UKTI Export Award

Winner: Equilibrium Products

This award recognises a company that has generated a substantial and sustained increase in export activity over a period of at least three years. It was awarded to Equilibrium Products.

The judges’ citation states: “What impressed us especially about the winner was their methodical, risk-sensitive, but still imaginative, approach to finding export markets. They used help from a wide range of sources and had a very clear strategy and the confidence to carry it out. Their presentation, too, was excellent – clear and informative. They export to every continent except Latin America and Antarctica – it is surely only a matter of time before the launch of Equi-Chaps for the penguin market.”

BETA Trade Website Award

Winner: Horseware Ireland

This award celebrates the website considered to be the most informative and useful to retailers. Nominations were made by the trade and the winner, Horseware Ireland, was selected by an independent panel of judges.

The company’s website, which also walked away with last year’s award, was described as “interesting, colourful and informative, with loads of technical information and good stockist information.”

BETA Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner: Martin Loveday

This award is presented by BETA to mark an outstanding and significant contribution to the equestrian industry over a long period of time.

In 1975, at the age of 29, Martin Loveday joined his family’s footwear wholesaling business after qualifying as a chartered accountant. The company, a horse collar manufacturer, was founded in 1650, but it was not until nearly 300 years later that the winner’s grandfather put his stamp in the footwear market, creating a brand that is still in existence today.

Our winner took up riding to dispel its upper-crust image and enable him to relate to his customers. He has always been a keen supporter of BETA’s National Riding Festival. “If they’re not riding, we can’t sell to them,” he said.

When Indian manufacture opened the door to large-scale import, Martin, until then involved in production for the riding and walking trade, displayed a global approach, encouraging the move beyond footwear and expansion into a wider range of equestrian clothing.

He has always taken an active role in the British Equestrian Trade Association, even attending an initial meeting in 1977 to discuss setting it up. His company was one of the first to join and given the membership number 13 – which has turned out to be anything but unlucky for him.

Martin has served on the Trade Fair Committee for many years and actively supported the show’s expansion, helping it to become the truly international event it is today. He has been a member of BETA’s council for more than 25 years, chairman for two years and treasurer in three separate decades.

Alongside his equestrian industry activities, Martin was active on the Industry and Parliament Trust in the 1990s, encouraging a better understanding by MPs of the small business environment and the equestrian trade.

He is highly respected in the trade for his wise, considered manner and ability to deliver well balanced opinion and good advice. He is also a devoted family man.  He and his wife, Sally, have been married for 35 years and are the proud parents of David, Philip and Sarah.

Martin was both surprised and thrilled to receive the award, presented by BETA president Jane Holderness Roddam. "I have enjoyed every one of my 35 years with you all," he said. "BETA has developed a great deal over the years and the trade has changed dramatically. Things will continue to adapt in the future and you guys are the future."