BETA Business Awards Reward Outstanding Contributions

Outstanding contributions to the equestrian industry were recognised at the 2011 BETA Business Awards. The coveted industry accolades – now in their eighth year – were presented to winning individuals and companies at the British Equestrian Trade Association’s Gala Dinner, at the National Motorcycle Museum, near Birmingham, on 20 February.

The trade turned out in force, with more than 450 members gathering to celebrate in style at this glittering social occasion – a high point in the equestrian trade’s social calendar. Guests enjoyed an evening of music, champagne and fine dining, with much amusement and entertainment provided by magicians and a giant Scalextric race track. This year’s charity raffle featured prizes including a case of champagne and VIP tickets to the Gatcombe Horse Trials. Guests gave generously to raise £1,470 for the Brooke equine charity.

“Congratulations to all our award winners,” said BETA executive director Claire Williams. “The high standard of achievement, professionalism and enterprise in our industry deserves to be rewarded and everyone nominated should feel justifiably proud.”

The winners of the 2011 BETA Business Awards were:

HAYGAIN NUTRITIONAL HELPLINE AWARD
Winner: TopSpec Equine, Thirsk, North Yorkshire
Runner-up: Allen & Page, Thetford, Norfolk

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.

Nominations were invited from retailers and consumers, and the final judging was based on these and mystery callers posing questions designed to challenge each helpline. TopSpec wins this award for the fifth time!

One nominator said: “This helpline goes beyond good, old-fashioned customer service. It offers a very personal service. We have never had such caring people answer our calls. No other company compares.” An incognito judge added: “Try as we might, we could not fault TopSpec!”

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SALES REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YEAR
Winner: Dave Wright, agent for Sherwood Forest, New Basford, Nottinghamshire, and Carrots UK, Chelmsford, Essex
Runner-up: Dean Mastouras, Matchmakers International, Bradford, West Yorkshire

This award, presented by Equestrian Trade News magazine, recognises excellence in product knowledge and service to retail customers. Nominations were received from retailers, followed by votes and an interview with the finalists.

One of Dave’s nominators praised his excellent product knowledge and enthusiasm: “He has a great relationship with his customers and we always look forward to his visits

HARRY HALL RETAIL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Winner: Kathryn Martyn, Countrywide Farmers, Taunton, Somerset

This award is given to the retail employee showing initiative, excellence in customer service, good product knowledge and a commitment to retailing. Kathryn has been working for her employers since 2008. She started out as supervisor but has gone on to become a deputy.

“Kathryn brings passion and commitment to her role within the store and her local community,” said a nominator. The independent judge added: “Her experience of dealing not only with horses, but people, clearly came across.”

JOULES EQUESTRIAN EVENT OF THE YEAR
Winner: Your Horse Live
Runner-up: Royal International Horse Show

This award acknowledges the event (at which trade stands are present) that best works with its exhibitors and takes their requirements and views fully into consideration.

Your Horse Live is one of the highlights of the show calendar and has become an unmissable annual event for so many companies and visitors. “An essential show – friendly organisers and a good atmosphere,” agreed nominators and judges.

BETA TRADE SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Shires Equestrian Products, Leominster, Herefordshire
Runner-up: Matchmakers International, Bradford, West Yorkshire

Judged by the retail trade, this award goes to a manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler that offers the best delivery, customer service, product knowledge and awareness of retailer requirements.
“The whole team were found to be friendly, efficient and helpful,” said judges and nominators. “They are great to deal with and very keen to support their customers.” 

SEIB RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Large Retailer
Winner: Speedgate Enterprises, Longfield, Kent
Runner-up: Ingatestone Saddlery, Ingatestone, Essex

Medium Retailer
Winner: R B Equestrian, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Runner-up: Houghton Equestrian, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland

Small Retailer
Winner: Iron Horse Equestrian Supplies, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Runner-up: Tower Farm Saddlers, Earls Barton, Northamptonshire

Mail Order/Internet Retailer
Winner: Supplement Solutions, Preston, Lancashire
Runner-up: Robinsons Country Leisure, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Lancashire

This award is divided into four categories for the first time this year – large, medium. 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. The award received more than 6,000 nominations for over 230 companies.

Large Retailer
Judges and nominators praised Speedgate Enterprises’ proactive staff, who were knowledgeable and friendly, and its excellent stock on offer.

Medium Retailer
“A pleasure to shop there,” said one nominator of R B Equestrian. “The staff offer fantastic service and a high level of professionalism – simply the best all-round equestrian retailer I know.” A judge added: “A very appealing store.”

Small Retailer
Iron Horse Equestrian Supplies was praised for its good choice of quality products and wonderful service. “The store was full, but organised and tidy,” added a judge.

Mail Order/Online Retailer
Correct and polite service, easy ordering and quick service were some of the points highlighted by one nominator of Supplement Solutions and a judge concluded: “They clearly know about the products they sell.”

TSM RIDER AWARD
Winners: Pippa and Millie Allen

This award acknowledges sponsored riders who makes the greatest contribution to the trade and who works hard for their sponsors. An independent panel of judges selected Pippa and Millie Allen as this year’s winners.

The two riders have been sponsored by Horsemasters since 2004 and the company believes that their partnership is one of the best in the industry. Pippa and Millie have won just about every junior title championship at HOYS, plus national team and individual titles at Nations Cups and European Championships – both having been names BS Show Jumper of the Month.

“The girls’ attitude to the sponsorship is a reflection of their personality and commitment to their sport,” said Horsemasters. “Pippa and Millie are perfect ambassadors for Mountain Horse, show jumping and equestrianism in general.”

UKTI EXPORT AWARD
Winner: Fly Away, Stourbridge, Worcestershire

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 became clear with Fly Away that here was a small enterprise which had developed a terrific product but then had the humility to take advice and act upon it.” explained one judge. “The company’s export strategy has been exemplary and its philosophy was perfectly summed up in this quote from their entry – ‘We make world-class products at value-for-money prices for the good of the horse and owner.’”

BETA TRADE WEBSITE AWARD
Winner: Horseware Ireland, Co Louth, 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 – a winner for the third year – was praised for its helpful videos and the way in which it could be used to help with staff training on new products.

BETA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Recipients: Gerald Brown and Michael Williams

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

Highly respected and immensely popular, these two men have each played a key role in shaping the equestrian industry of today. Gerald Brown has supported the trade for more than 40 years, during which time he was responsible for developing Abbey Saddlery & Crafts – a supplier or saddlery workshop materials – and building it up into a thriving and successful business. Gentle and unassuming, Gerald is an unstinting supporter of traditional skills and the British manufacturing industry.

Michael Williams enjoyed a career in the Household Cavalry before he took up a position as a sales representative for E Jeffries & Sons, of Walsall, in 1974. Over the years, he was involved in various aspects of the business, including a spell in product development, and travelled all over the world to expand the company’s export market. Always prepared to assist others where possible, he is well liked and respected by his clients and remained with the company for 35 years. A member of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, he has been unswerving in his mission to foster the best possible relations between the Saddlers’ Company and the Walsall saddlery trade.