The finalists for the 2020 BETA Business Awards, which recognise companies and individuals making significant contributions to the equestrian industry, have been revealed. The winners will be announced at the BETA Gala Dinner, at the National Motorcycle Museum, near Birmingham, on next Friday (January 20).“We wish all the finalists the best of luck,” said BETA executive director Claire Williams. “As always, the standard of entries was extremely high and we know that those collecting their trophies will be very worthy winners.”
The finalists are…
SEIB Retailer of the Year – Equestrian Retail Store
Aivly Country Store – Ringwood, Hampshire
Equiboodle – South Cerney, Gloucestershire
Highfield Equestrian – Milford, Staffordshire
Manor Equestrian – Newthorpe, Nottinghamshire
TFM Country Store – Whisby, Lincolnshire
Tower Farm Saddlers – Rugby, Warwickshire
Tower Farm Saddlers – Earls Barton, Northamptonshire.
SEIB Retailer of the Year – Online/Mail Order Retailer
EqWax – Ticehurst, East Sussex
GS Equestrian – Paignton, Devon
The Horse Bit Shop – Pollington, East Yorkshire
Online for Equine – Milford, Staffordshire
Supplement Solutions – Great Eccleston, Lancashire
Urban Horse – Alston, Cumbria.
STUBBS ENGLAND Nutritional Helpline of the Year
Dengie Horse Feeds – Maldon, Essex
Science Supplements – Hartwell, Northamptonshire
Simple System Horse Feeds – Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
TopSpec Equine – Thirsk, North Yorkshire.
Equestrian Event of the Year, supported by Henson Franklyn
Blair Castle International Horse Trials – Pitlochry, Perthshire
Bramham International Horse Trials – Wetherby, West Yorkshire
Your Horse Live – Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
Ceris Burns Equestrian Export Award
Bedmax – Belford, Northumberland
Equilibrium Products – Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.
Weatherbeeta Group Retail Employee of the Year
Alison Kemlo – David Conchie Saddlery, Carnoustie, Angus.
Chantelle Snowling – Tower Farm Saddlers, Rugby.
Equine Careers Sales Representative of the Year
Karen Beaumont – Allen & Page, Thetford, Norfolk
Zelina Coffey – Science Supplements, Hartwell, Northamptonshire
Linda Kennard – Omega Equine, West Chiltington, West Sussex
Hayley Weatherstone – Finest Brands, Leeds, West Yorkshire.
TSM Marketing Effectiveness Award
Aviform – Wymondham, Norfolk
Equilibrium Products – Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
GS Equestrian – Paignton, Devon
Harbro – Turriff, Aberdeenshire
Omega Equine – West Chiltington, West Sussex
Simple System Horse Feeds – Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Westgate Laboratories – Morpeth, Northumberland.
The BETA Business Awards were launched in 2004 and have grown to become prestigious industry accolades and a landmark in the equestrian calendar. Categories are designed to reflect the changing face of this vibrant sector and this year sees the introduction of the TSM Marketing Effectiveness Award. Entries for each category are received following a period of nomination from both the B2B and consumer community, and the winners are decided by a panel of independent judges.
Ceris Burns Equestrian Export Award
This is open to companies of varying sizes that have shown substantial and sustained increases in export activity over a three-year period. All applications are judged by an independent panel.
Weatherbeeta Group Retail Employee of the Year
This celebrates employees showing excellent customer service, great product knowledge and a passion for professional retailing. The winner will receive a cash prize in addition to the award and their employer will be given BETA training vouchers. It is designed for shop-floor staff rather than managers. Nominations are considered by an independent judging panel and the process involves interviews with those shortlisted.
SEIB Retailer of the Year
This is an award for tack shops and feed merchants. It relies on customer nominations and is divided into two categories: Equestrian Retail Store and Online/Mail Order Retailer.
The award is independently judged and involves mystery shoppers and incognito telephone calls.
Equine Careers Sales Representative of the Year
This award is open to both employed and self-employed sales representatives and agents. It is given to the individual judged outstanding in his or her approach to customer service.
Equestrian Event of the Year supported by Henson Franklyn
This award acknowledges the indoor or outdoor consumer show that works best with tradestand holders and takes their needs and requirements into consideration. Nominations come from companies with experience of exhibiting at events and are considered by an independent panel of judges.
STUBBS ENGLAND Nutritional Helpline of the Year
This seeks to reward a company considered to offer excellence in nutritional advice and service to customers. Nominations are invited from consumers who have first-hand experience of receiving nutritional advice from a helpline. Judging is independent and includes incognito calls.
TSM Marketing Effectiveness Award
This new award celebrates effective communications and the increased value a company’s marketing campaign has brought to its brands. Nominations are invited from both retailers and suppliers, and these are independently judged, with the award going to the company that can best show the contribution its marketing activity has made to business improvement.
