Equestrian Trade News October 2024 | Volume 48, No 8
INTERNATIONAL
2024
Report, reaction and award winners. Main sponsor
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AMTRA accredited CPD feature
Animall Crown Corner profiled
Winter care and feeds
ETN | NEWS
ETN NEWS
Equestrian Trade News East Wing, Stockeld Park, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS22 4AW Tel: 01937 582111 Email: info@equestriantradenews.com Website: www.equestriantradenews.com Subscriptions Distributed on a controlled-circulation basis to the retail trade. Paid-for annual subscriptions are £39.95 (UK), £73.00 (Europe), £86.00 (rest of the world). Design & Print Designed and produced on behalf of EMC by DJ Murphy Publishers: www.djmurphy.co.uk Email: abi@djmurphy.co.uk Tel: 01428 601020 Publisher Equestrian Management Consultants Ltd Editor Liz Benwell Email: editor@equestriantradenews.com Advertising Managers Evie Edgar Email: etn@djmurphy.co.uk Tel: 01428 601031 Abi Cannon Email: etn@djmurphy.co.uk Tel: 01428 601028 Digital Manager Nicki Lewis Email: nickil@beta-int.com
BETA International is to return to its former home - the NEC, Birmingham. The 2025 show will be managed by a new team with BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association) Group working in partnership with Raccoon Media Group to deliver BETA international in the future. Raccoon Media Group, which runs The National Equine Show annually in March, is to handle BETA International’s organisation, sales and marketing. The BETA Trade Fair committee – comprising ten members drawn from the industry – will continue to advise on the event’s content and development. Neue Schule is set to return as main sponsor of BETA International 2025 when it returns to Hall 2 of the NEC. The NEC, Birmingham was BETA International’s home from 1995 to 2020. Following a hiatus during the Covid pandemic, the show moved to Stoneleigh. BETA International 2025 will be held on Sunday and Monday 28/29 September.
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Scholarship applications open Applications for the seventh annual Abbey England Scholarship are open to 4 | Equestrian Trade News October 2024
Delivering growth
Among the reasons for the move are “the proximity of the NEC to road, rail and plane links offering easier access for both exhibitors and visitors, national and international,” said Claire Williams of BETA. The 2025 dates are also set to appeal to suppliers and retailers wanting to participate at BETA International. “A move slightly later in the month moves us further away from the events that occupy much of the earlier part of September,” added Claire, “and from the very busy period of stock intake for the autumn/winter ranges.”
As well as the National Equine Show, Raccoon Media Group runs a number of high-profile exhibitions including The Running Show and The National Cycling Show. In total, it organises four events at the NEC and 17 globally. Leading the new BETA International organising team will be Liz Ormesher, already a familiar face to many in the trade via her role as event director of The National Equine Show, a consumer event. “In working with a specialist event organiser such as Raccoon, we are aiming to deliver growth for BETA International that the industry is calling out for on both a domestic and international footing,” said Claire. “We are confident that this move will assist in attracting exhibitors and visitors from further afield, both within and outside of the UK. “A move back to the NEC emphasises the importance of the event for the equestrian sector and gives BETA International stability that will enable Raccoon to deliver a dynamic event and an exciting new future for the industry’s show.” BETA International 2025 will continue to host many of the show’s long-standing features such as the new product showcase and seminar theatre.
saddlers and leather craftspeople until the end of October. This year’s winner will receive £500 worth of Abbey England leather and workshop tools, £200 to cover expenses to attend training courses
and workshops, plus expert advice and business support. The winner will also secure a place on Abbey England’s upcoming Masterclass with Jo Heard on 4 December.
International appeal
The magazine is independent of all groups. Editorial views expressed in ETN are not necessarily the official view of any organisation or group. Copyright All material is copyright Equestrian Management Consultants Ltd
BETA International to return to the NEC
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How times have changed: publisher marks 75th anniversary DJ Murphy, publisher of Horse&Rider and PONY magazines, celebrates 75 years in business this year. The company was founded in 1949 – the same year as the first Badminton Horse Trials and inaugural Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). David John Murphy started publishing PONY after spotting a gap in the market for a magazine for young equestrian enthusiasts. The first issue was printed in black-and-white, had 37 pages, and a cover price of one shilling (5p). The following year, DJ Murphy added ShowJumping to its stable of equestrian titles. Soon renamed Light Horse, in 1981 it became Horse&Rider magazine. In January 1964, PONY reported on a new miniature breed of horse being bred in Argentina by rancher Julio Cesar Falabella. Guinness, Moss Bros and P&O Cruises were some of the big spend advertisers who featured in Light Horse. In February 1972, an article included a riding school’s charges, a private lesson with the top instructor costing £2.10. By the 1980s, showjumping superstars Nick Skelton and John Whitaker were taking the sport by storm. Advertisers included Lincoln, Charles Owen, Absorbine, Stylo Matchmakers, Caldene, Baileys, Carr & Day & Martin and Spillers. www.equestriantradenews.com
The June 1980 issue of Light Horse reported on how a 24-year-old Mark Todd won Badminton. The Martini awards, run by DJ Murphy and sponsored by the drinks brand, were an annual highlight. Magazine readers voted for their favourite equestrian personalities with famous riders and celebrities appearing at glamorous awards presentations. In the March 1994 issue of PONY, Pippa Funnell gave readers an insight into her 1993 win at Blenheim. John Whitaker starred in a photo-stories series with the legendary Milton and his children Louise and Robert. In 2005, Carl Hester guest-edited the May issue of Horse&Rider, the dressage superstar visiting the magazine’s offices to fulfil his duties. By 2010, PONY had launched a new look. Now costing £2.50, there was a horsey themed gift on the front of every issue.
Sundown Products says owners shouldn’t worry if their horses eat a little of their straw beds.
It’s OK for horses to browse on straw bedding An equine bedding manufacturer is highlighting that it’s fine for horses to nibble their straw beds. It’s probably even good for them… Sundown Products has collated clinical studies on the subject. And now it’s launched a Switch To Straw campaign to help retailers get the message across. Marketing materials available to stockists include social media content, posters and leaflets. “The research indicates that not only is it safe for horses to browse a little of their straw bedding, it’s actually beneficial,” says Rachel Cubitt of the Cambridgeshire based company. There are additional welfare benefits to horses picking at straw bedding, she adds. “It’s a natural, cost-effective way to increase their fibre intake. And increased eating time helps reduce periods of time when the gut is empty, and therefore reduces the risk of issues such as ulcers.” Sundown Products supplies a range of chopped straw products.
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ETN | PEOPLE
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People Jan Rogers has been recognised for improving understanding of equine body weight. At last month’s BEVA (British Equine Veterinary Association) Congress, she received the BEVA Equine Welfare Award, sponsored by the Blue Cross, for her work on the Weigh to Win project. Jan is a psychology graduate who spent 15 years with British Equestrian before joining The Horse Trust where she set up the initiative in 2022. Weigh To Win rewards healthy equine body condition and raises awareness of the issue in show horses. Its aim is to challenge and educate on what is an ideal body condition. Selected show classes have horses assessed for body condition by a vet. Horses with the healthiest body condition scores are awarded special rosettes. Pictured, from left, are Olympic athlete Sally Gunnell, Alison Thomas of Blue Cross, Jan Rogers and Roger Smith, former BEVA President. 14 | Equestrian Trade News October 2024
Running a busy tack and feed store in Surrey is a far cry from trekking to Everest Base Camp. But Amy Tegg is determined to prove she can do both. Amy, the managing director of Rokers Animal Feeds and Tack Shop near Guildford in Surrey, is training for an 11-day Himalayan adventure to raise money for the charity Street Child. Her inspiration came from running a half marathon in Sierra Leone. “That was a monumental challenge,” she says, recalling 40-degree heat and intense humidity.” Now Amy has Everest Base Camp in her sights. Starting in Lukla, the plan is to reach base camp on the eighth day before starting the descent. “This will be the longest and highest-altitude challenge I have ever undertaken, pushing my physical and mental limits to new heights,” says Amy. Street Child works in areas of conflict, disaster and poverty to ensure children are safe and in school. You can support Amy via this website address https://www.justgiving.com/page/ amy-tegg-1720698835871
Bruce Bladon, principal equine surgeon at Newbury, Berkshire based Donnington Grove Equine Vets, is the new President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA). Imogen Burrows becomes President Elect and Kate Blakeman Junior Vice President. Bruce, whose main interest is equine surgery, was equine surgeon for the Rio Olympic Games. He was awarded a fellowship of the RCVS in 2016, for meritorious contributions to clinical practice. During his presidential year, Bruce is keen to explore the use of antibiotics, the possibility of overtreatment and over-medication of the sport horse, and the use of potentially unnecessary surgical procedures. Jenny Hindmarsh, Rebekah Sullivan and Jo Suthers have joined BEVA Council this year. Ian Beamish and Gemma Dransfield have been re-elected onto council.
Jade Coupe, who works at Nottinghamshire store Manor Equestrian, is pictured modelling the jacket she won in Horslyx’s recent Take 2 and Have a Brew quiz. The equine lick/balancer brand’s campaign saw tea bags and a QR code for an online quiz delivered by post to retailers across the UK. Jade answered all the questions about the brand’s products correctly while putting her feet up with a cuppa. Take 2 and Have a Brew attracted hundreds of entries, says Horslyx proving that traditional marketing methods still work well. “It was wonderful to see so many participants take a moment to enjoy a cup of tea while testing their knowledge about our products,” said Fiona Nellis, head of equine at the brand. www.equestriantradenews.com
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ETN | BENCH SADDLER OF THE MONTH
Celebrating the best bench saddlers…
This award, presented in conjunction with the Society of Master Saddlers (SMS), recognises those who uphold the highest standard of leathercraft skills.
This month’s winner is CHARLOTTE CHEESMAN
Charlotte is a newly qualified SMS Saddler and Harness Maker based in Sittingbourne, Kent.
Charlotte Cheesman (centre) and Sarah Stevens receive their Master and Apprentice award at the SMS National Competition from Hugh Taylor, Prime Warden of the Saddlers’ Company. Charlotte is now a qualified SMS Saddler and Harness Maker.
About Charlotte Cheesman
Charlotte grew up with horses and has always enjoyed arts and crafts including art photography at school. When she left education, Charlotte was unsure what she wanted to do as a career. She worked in an office for a couple of years but decided it wasn’t really for her. Keen to combine her two passions of horses and craft, she enrolled on a twoyear saddlery course at Capel Manor then stayed on for a further year to study shoe making. The next logical step was for Charlotte to apply for an apprenticeship, and one came up with Sarah Stevens at SES Saddlery in Taunton, Devon.
Winning team
Charlotte and Sarah won the Master and Apprentice Class at the 2024 SMS National Competition. Charlotte made a headcollar and the Master, Sarah, made a foal slip. Charlotte was also placed second in the Intermediate bridle class, for which entrants made a hunting breastplate with martingale attachment. Charlotte and Sarah took the Master and Apprentice class last year too; while Charlotte claimed first place in the Show Double Bridle conforming to Level 3 City & Guilds Skills assessment specification.
“Exciting and daunting”
“In February this year, I completed my 20 | Equestrian Trade News October 2024
apprenticeship and became an SMS Qualified Saddler and Harness Maker,” says Charlotte. “I have now started working for myself which is both exciting and a little daunting.” Charlotte is particularly passionate about the craft and encourages anyone interested in working with leather to give it a go. An apprenticeship is a great opportunity to gain skills on the job that you won’t necessarily get from courses, she explains. Working under a master gives you additional support and guidance which is hugely valuable. “The apprenticeship has been great, and I think it’s really important that we encourage more people into the trade. Training people and safeguarding the future of this craft is crucial,” Charlotte adds.
Bridle-making passion
During her training and apprenticeship, Charlotte gained experience in all areas of leatherwork including making saddles and doing leather repairs. However, it’s making bridles that she enjoys most. “Although it takes time, I like that no two bridles are the same. Making a bespoke bridle for a client to their requirements is something I really enjoy. “Taking their ideas and making them into reality is a great feeling,” she says. As Charlotte starts out on her own, she is steadily building up clients, and doing repairs on pieces of tack and other leather items.
She has also signed up the newly redeveloped SMS Bridle Fitting Course. “Looking to the future, it will be great to combine my skills in bridle-making and being qualified to fit them too. This will offer a great service to horse owners in my area; I can’t wait to get started,” says Charlotte.
Horse time
During her training, Charlotte found it difficult to spend much time with her two ex-racehorses Nessa and Teresa. However, now that she’s back home, she’s able to enjoy some hacking out.
How to nominate a bench saddler:
Everyone is invited to nominate bench saddlers they feel deserve to be named ETN Bench Saddler of the Month. Candidates for the award must be a member of the SMS and based in the UK or overseas. To nominate a bench saddler (or more than one), email editor@ equestriantradenews.com and tell us why this person deserves to be put in the spotlight. Please include the bench saddler’s name and business name too.
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BETA INTERNATIONAL 2024 | ETN BETA INTERNATIONAL REPORT
There was a buzz in the hall both days
Why BETA International 2024 was “bright, busy and buzzing”
B
ETA International made its final appearance at NAEC Stoneleigh before a return to the NEC, Birmingham on 28/29 September 2025. Well-established brands exhibited alongside new names, creating an eclectic collection of fresh equestrian products for visitors to discover. “I’ve never seen so many things horsey people never knew they needed,” said one anonymous buyer, who nonetheless said she’d found some “fantastic, quirky” ideas. Many commended the show’s light, bright presentation; a welcome note www.equestriantradenews.com
of optimism as the rain lashed down outside the halls. “All the stands look great with so many new lines in vivid colours,” said Kirsty Ure from R&R Country’s Selby branch. “I love coming to BETA International; it’s so much better to touch and feel the products rather than look at them on a screen.” For Joyce and Mark Grantham, who’d travelled from Essex based Hedingham Animal Feeds, this was a chance to kickstart some serious ordering for their new business. “We’ve only been open for seven months, so a lot of the companies won’t
know us. We want to open several new accounts, so coming [to BETA International] is a great way to meet people and let them meet us.” A visit to BETA International is as much about people as products for Irish visitor Gareth McConnell from TRI Equestrian which has stores in the north and south. “You get out of the show what you put into it,” he said. “It’s a great chance to network; it’s a real focal point, a hub. I always come and I’d never miss it because it offers so many opportunities for making contacts and keeping in touch.” Equestrian Trade News October 2024 | 25