2009 BETA Business Awards finalists named

Jan 23 2009

Companies and individuals making outstanding contributions to the equestrian industry have been announced as finalists for the 2009 British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) Business Awards.

The awards will be presented at the annual BETA Gala Dinner at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham, on 15 February.

“These national accolades highlight BETA’s remit to promote excellence in equestrian commerce,” said Claire Williams, executive director of BETA. “Congratulations to all who have reached the finals by setting the high standards of professionalism that BETA encourages.”

Finalists were initially nominated either by consumers or their peers within the equestrian trade. As part of the final judging, and depending on the award under consideration, relevant categories of BETA Members are casting their votes. BETA is also conducting a series of mystery shops and incognito telephone calls to short-listed candidates, while independent panellists are scrutinising finalists’ submissions.

Competition for the BETA/SEIB Retailer of the Year Award is particularly strong with at least 2,000 nominations originally received from equestrian shoppers. More than 400 tack shops and feed merchants across the UK are entitled to display the BETA logo, indicating their retail membership of the trade association and that they are properly run businesses offering reliable advice and good standards of service.

Finalists for 2009 BETA Business Awards, in no particular order, are:

Harry Hall Retail Employee of the Year

- to the employee showing initiative, excellent customer service, product knowledge and commitment to professional retailing.

  • Sarah Blackmore from Tower Farm Saddlers in Warwickshire
  • Chris Buckle from Countrywide Farmers in Warwickshire
  • Jenny Gibbs from Countrywide Farmers in Warwickshire
  • Simon Messenger from Countrywide Farmers in Gloucestershire
  • Sharon Paskell from Willow Farm Equestrian in Kent
  • Phillipa Perkins from Countrywide Farmers in Berkshire
  • Carole Sharrock from WCF Country Centres in Cumbria
  • Sarah Taylor from Mole Valley Farmers in Devon

Joules Equestrian Event of the Year

- acknowledges the event that works best with its trade exhibitors.

  • Badminton Horse Trials
  • Blair Castle Horse Trials
  • Chatsworth Horse Trials
  • Hickstead Derby Meeting
  • Horse of the Year Show
  • National Dressage Championships
  • Your Horse Live

TSM Rider Award

- to the rider who works hard for a productive partnership with his or her sponsors

  • Team Fredericks nominated by Finest Brands International
  • Sharon Hunt nominated by Baileys and her family of sponsors
  • Mary King nominated by Joules
  • Sarah King nominated by www.saddlesdirect & Crossfields Saddlery
  • Naomi Maxted-Massey nominated by Blue Lizard Equestrian
  • Charlotte Prentice nominated by euro-star Reitmoden
  • Major Richard Waygood nominated by E Jeffries & Sons Ltd
  • Maria Eilberg nominated by Weatherbeeta

SEIB Retailer of the Year

- recognising excellence and professionalism as a specialist retailer (in three categories)

Mail Order/Internet retailer

  • Derby House
  • Frogpool Manor
  • Ingatestone Saddlery
  • Mad 4 Ponies
  • Supplement Solutions
  • Utterly Horses

Tack Shop – Large

  • Equicentric in Cambs
  • Frogpool Manor in Kent
  • Ingatestone Saddlery in Essex
  • Janette Moss Horsewear in Essex
  • R B Equestrian in Milton Keynes
  • Tower Farm Saddlers in Rugby

Tack Shop – Small

  • Equicraft of Backwell in Somerset
  • Express Equine in Norfolk
  • Harley Equestrian in Northants
  • Martinshouse Equestrian in Hawick
  • Pelham Tack in Immingham

Horsemart Nutritional Helpline Award

- to the company offering exemplary service in nutritional advice to trade customers and consumers

  • Allen & Page
  • Baileys Horse Feeds
  • Natural Animal Feeds
  • TopSpec Equine

UKTI Export Award

- open to companies generating substantial and sustained increases in export activity over a three-year period

  • Black Country Saddles
  • Natural Animal Feeds
  • Joules

BETA Trade Supplier of the Year

- to the manufacturer, wholesaler or distributor judged by retailers to offer the best all-round service

  • Black Country Saddles
  • Charles Owen & Co Ltd
  • Dever Saddlery
  • E Jeffries & Sons Ltd
  • Gallopers UK
  • Natural Animal Feeds

BETA Sales Representative of the Year

- open to sales representatives and agents, to reward outstanding abilities in servicing their customers’ and companies’ needs

  • Claire Rowlands – Natural Animal Feeds
  • Dave Cook – E Jeffries & Sons Ltd
  • Graham Poole – T. H. Loveday Ltd
  • Jennifer Singleton – Carr & Day & Martin Ltd
  • Judith Riddell – Matchmakers International Ltd
  • Michael Darley – E Jeffries & Sons Ltd
  • Nikki Newcombe – Black Country Saddles

BETA Trade Website of the Year

- a new award, to the most useful and informative equestrian trade related website.

  • Baileys Horse Feeds
  • E Jeffries & Sons
  • Horseware Ireland
  • Premier Equine International
  • Westgate Laboratories

For more information about BETA, contact tel 01937 587062 or email info@beta-uk.org