Equestrian Trade News July/August 2024 | Volume 48, No 6
INTERNATIONAL SCAN ME TO VISIT
22-23 SEPTEMBER 2024
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ETN | BETA INTERNATIONAL
Why come to BETA International? We caught up with three seasoned visitors to find out why they make the trip annually, and asked them to share their top tips for a successful visit: Jo Boyd – Wadswick Country Store:
“I’m a Director at Wadswick Country Store, our family has been trading in the equestrian retail market for over 30 years. I joined our business in 2012 and have attended BETA International every year since. As a business we’ve been going for much longer… when the trade fair was at Sandown. “Although it’s not always easy to take time out of the office, for many reasons BETA International always has a place on our calendar. Each year we go with the hope of meeting new brands and exciting products to buy for our store, we’re looking for product innovation and newness, hints of where the industry is headed. Equally important is catching up with people, whether that’s trade suppliers or other retailers who we’ve
Nicola Preston – Speedgate Enterprises:
“I am Nic (Nicola) Preston from Speedgate Enterprises Ltd, a retailer based in Kent. I’ve been visiting BETA International for over 10 years now and the date is always firmly in my calendar. It is a great opportunity to see new products and innovations in the industry, catch up with existing suppliers as well as catching up with fellow retailers. “I have always enjoyed attending the show, there are lots of opportunities to pick up merchandising/display ideas from stands, gain CPD points if needed from the seminars plus certain show 28 | Equestrian Trade News July/August 2024
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22-23 September 2024
grown to think of as friends over the years. Comparing notes on new products and how trade is for everyone helps you to feel part of a wider community. After every visit we will come away with new ideas, whether that’s a new way of displaying something in store or perhaps a seed sewn for our next development area in the business. “Additionally, BETA International has interesting speakers that would benefit other members of our team and there are always CPD points to be gained. This year in particular we’ve made a note to bring members of our marketing and ecommerce team for the first time. Having extra members of the team there can be invaluable as they are bound to spot something we haven’t and always offer a different opinion.”
offers can allow you some extra margin. “My advice if you are a new visitor is to plan your visit, book appointments in advance for those suppliers you know you want to see, look at the speakers you may want to listen to but ensure you also leave yourself time to visit the Horse & Rider New Product Showcase. “Finally the party on the Sunday is always a good excuse to get dressed up!”
Matt Severn – Manor Equestrian:
“As the founder and co-director of Manor Equestrian, I’ve probably been attending BETA International now for about 8 years and before this I used to visit when I was involved with the former family business, Martins Farm. “There’s certainly been a lot of changes over the years, but what’s never changed is the great opportunity it provides to not only catch up with suppliers and see new innovative product launches, but to socialise with others in our trade and understand our industry. “You might be thinking you’ve all the brands/suppliers needed, but I’d also advise a good walk round as you just don’t know who or what you’ll find around the next corner, which may just be the missing item for your business. Plus take time for a pit stop coffee break, as it’s always when you end up getting into conversation with someone, which maybe the conversations that leads to something you’d least expect!” www.equestriantradenews.com
BETA INTERNATIONAL | ETN
See you at Stoneleigh…
The clock is ticking with BETA International just a few weeks away, but what makes this event so special? Is it the people, products, atmosphere, seminars, or the connections and relationships that the event allows to build? We find out…
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ETA International is delighted that Neue Schule is continuing its sponsorship by supporting the 2024 and 2025 shows that provide the setting for where the equestrian trade meets to do business. With BETA international 2024 fast approaching, we spoke to Sarfraz Mian, Neue Schule’s CEO, about the opportunities that BETA International holds and how to get the most out of the show. Why do you think BETA International is so important? BETA International is a long-standing trade fair with spectacular standing around the world. I’ve had the pleasure of travelling to many equestrian trade fairs and the reputation that BETA International has is second to none. We need to think about why it is that people attend, and it’s because in this connected world, there’s still a lot of value in meeting people face to face, nothing has displaced this. Our industry is about products, and what better way to see them first hand and, at the same time, speak about those new and interesting products with the people behind them, who are championing them to the industry? Does meeting face to face rather than screen to screen really make a difference? Covid presented huge challenges and represents a bit of black hole for everyone. It caused people to change how they do business with everyone having to move online for a while. But, within the equestrian sector and within all business really, there has been this incredible recognition of the importance of face to face and the extra benefits this has. So many businesses across the world are now saying we need to be meeting because there’s so much value in that. When you’re meeting people in real life, you can be so much more effective.
Many people commented on the ‘buzz’ around the 2023 show, can you tell us your take on it? We have a vested interest in the trade fair as the main sponsor, something we’ve done for many years, and we exhibit as well, so we have many different views. What was quite brilliant last year was that there was a reduction in the number of days, but what this did was concentrate people’s visits which made for a busy hall, a dynamic atmosphere, strong conversations, and reigniting that great atmosphere that we have seen previously. More and more people have started coming back to the event, which is fantastic. With the changing way we do business now, is the show still important from an international point of view? BETA International is really a showcase, and over many years we have seen the show as a magnet for companies from right across the world. I’m very confident that this year we’ll have exhibitors, retailers, and visitors from many countries across the globe. One of the most important things in any sort of business is relationships, and BETA International provides a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with old business trading partners, identify news ones, and really cement those relationships. When things are challenging, and there’s no escaping that the current economic conditions we find ourselves in are not the easiest we’ve had, it’s really important that people double down on the relationships that they have created, to capitalise on the support and the insight from the experts that are out there within the industry.
Neue Schule team at BETA International 2023.
BETA International bag ready for a busy day.
Find out more about Neue Schule at www.nsbits.com, and make sure you go and see the team at BETA International.
www.equestriantradenews.com
Equestrian Trade News July/August 2024 | 29
ETN | BETA INTERNATIONAL
NEW Feed Hub to feature at BETA International BETA International is delighted to welcome a new feature – the Feed Hub – to this year’s event. Designed to provide feed companies with an area to showcase their brand, one of the biggest attractions in this area will be a dedicated talk area that will see the brands exhibiting present feed, nutrition and horse care related content to the assembled visitors. There will also be CPD points on offer for some of the talks, and the opportunity to ask questions of the people presenting. “We’re excited to welcome more feed brands to BETA International,” said
Claire Williams. “Feed and supplements make up such a huge part of the industry and we wanted to create a place where education around these
essential products was a priority.” If you’re a feed or supplement company looking to get involved, please contact sales@beta-int.com.
Welcome to the evoke® Seminar Theatre! This year’s evoke® Seminar Theatre schedule is coming together, and we wanted to give you a sneak peek at just some of the talks that will be hosted on the stage over the two days at the show … from the speakers themselves! Sarfraz Mian, CEO of title sponsor Neue Schule, will be chairing the Talking Business panel. This was a new feature for last year and proved so popular that it’s being run on both days this year: “One of the fantastic things we have at BETA International is a lot of very capable people with a lot of expertise in the Equestrian Sector. During the panel discussion, in a very short space of time, people had the unique opportunity to tap into that wealth of knowledge. People were able to quiz the panel members, asking questions relevant to them, regardless of where they find themselves in the evolution of their business or the type of business that they’re operating. I learnt lots myself!” Marcus Cridland, joint Managing Director of Shires Equestrian, will returning as a panellist on the Talking Business panel this year: “I am thrilled to have been asked back to participate as a member of the panel for Talking Business. I think it is
vitally important to have open discussions among customers, and others in the industry, if nothing else to share problems, frustrations, as well as successes. So much of what we all do in our working lives revolves around relationships, and the more we openly communicate with colleagues, friends and customers, the easier it is to build on those relationships and work through challenges that present themselves.” Hillary Cowley, Deputy Chief Executive of AMTRA (Animal Medicines Regulatory Training Authority) will be speaking on Monday: “I will be speaking about the evolution of VPS medicines and the regulation of SQPs. Within this I will focus on what has influenced legislation and what is shaping and influencing this section of the animal health industry that is so unique to the UK.” Rhea Freeman, award winning PR adviser and social media expert will be speaking each day: “I’m excited to speaking about influencers and sponsors - how both can work together for better outcomes, being clear on expectations, and some ideas for how brands can utilise the skills and reach that many influencers have, to help grow their business and revenue.”
The full schedule for the evoke® Seminar Theatre will be released on the BETA International website over the next few weeks, but safe to say, there’s going to be a lot of great opportunities. For more information see www.beta-int.com
30 | Equestrian Trade News July/August 2024
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ETN | STABLE EQUIPMENT 1
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Home comforts
A well-equipped stable yard makes it a happy place for horses and humans alike. 1
Take a tip from racing
This American-style Large Feed Tub from Stubbs England is popular on racing yards. The heavy-duty tub fits in a corner of the stable using three Trigger Hooks on Plates (available separately) making it readily removable for cleaning between feeds. Made in tough Stubbythene moulding in white, red, blue, green, black or pink, it works well in any stable – especially for horses with a habit of tipping over their buckets while eating. 2
Fork takes the strain
The Swedish Fork from Herbie’s Yard Supplies reduces the strain mucking out inevitably puts on backs, wrists and elbow. The lightweight tool has a long, curved handle and is well balanced. Strong, flexible tines are ideally spaced to sift muck from clean bedding and prevent waste. The large, bucketshaped head keeps the droppings in. The Swedish Fork is suitable for shavings, peat, pellets and straw bedding. 3
New broom sweeps clean
Super Bulldozer brooms from Herbie’s Yard Supplies are designed for stressfree sweeping. The long, strong but lightweight 42 | Equestrian Trade News July/August 2024
aluminium handles mean there’s no need to bend and stoop. While the natural palmyra [a wood fibre made from palm tree stalks] bristles effectively sweep even dusty debris on rough surfaces. Super Bulldozer brooms come in 18” and 24” widths, with replacement heads available too. 4
A wheely good barrow
The Stubby Star from Stubbs England makes visiting the muckheap a pleasure. The innovative barrow tips and flips for complete emptying, whether full or part-loaded. Beautifully-balanced, it has a steel reinforced tipping edge and galvanised frame. The main body is in tough Stubbythene in blue, green, pink or purple, mounted on two 40cm 4ply pneumatic tyred wheels. The Stubby Star comes packaged with handles, legs and wheels inside the shrink-wrapped body complete with a PoS label. Assembly is easy with just six bolts. 5
Playtime fun
Clippity Clop Horseshoe, Crunchie the Carrot and Twinkle the Unicorn are fun new stable toys from Hy Equestrian. The durable toys help alleviate equine boredom – and give owners something to smile about.
Each with a rope attached, they come ready to hang in the stable or horsebox. 6
Why a quiet roof is welfare-friendly
Sound dampening is an important consideration when choosing stable roofing, says Onduline. The lightweight roofing specialist’s corrugated sheets are said to be up to four times quieter than metal alternatives. Horse owner Fran Wilkinson had Onduline Classic roofing sheets on her new stables. “I wanted something that wasn’t noisy,” she said. “So many stables and outbuildings have metal roofing and it’s very frightening for the animals when it rains and all you can hear is that thunderous noise.” 7
Encouraging healthier eating
Trickle Net nets are built to last with strong, weather-resistant materials. By encouraging slow feeding, they promote healthy equine eating via a consistent and controlled release of forage. The benefits include reduced risk of overeating, and less wasted forage. Trickle Net has a range of slow-feeder nets from the Original Net to the new Shake & Graze Chaff Net. www.equestriantradenews.com
NEWS FEATURE | ETN
Where’s the evidence? BETA is on a mission to clear up confusion caused by misinformation. ETN asked the experts from the trade association’s Feed Committee to answer a question that will be on many of your customers’ minds.
Photo: Konstantin Chagin/Shutterstock.com
Equine nutrition companies sometimes talk about their products as being ‘scientifically proven.’ What exactly does this mean? This statement is ambiguous and is likely to mean different things depending on the context in which the manufacturer is using it. Breaking it down reveals how important the context is. The word scientifically literally means something that relates to science or uses the methods of science; so the implication is that the ingredients have been tested objectively and independently. However, we don’t know that for sure unless the references for relevant papers are included. If references are made available, they may relate to studies conducted in other species. This is quite common as fewer studies are done in horses for various reasons, but it is important that the results have been extrapolated and interpreted with an understanding of the differences between species and the potential implications that might have. Whilst appreciating that manufacturers are often limited for space, and so look for short phrases and terms to communicate key features and benefits of products, the detail does matter too. If the phrase is used in relation to ingredients, it matters which ingredients are being referred to. Is it every ingredient included in the formulation or just those with functionalities relevant to a particular issue? A manufacturer might use the phrase to highlight it has sourced well researched ingredients. However, from the purchaser’s perspective, it is important to note that it doesn’t mean the manufacturer has included them at levels that have been shown to have an effect. As a retailer, it is likely that you are asked for guidance from customers, so knowing more about the products and their formulations can be really helpful in giving you confidence to make recommendations. If you haven’t already had product
If you’re a retailer, request some product training and ask a few questions about studies that have been done.
training, why not request some and ask a few questions about studies that have been done? The most concerning word in this claim is proven. It’s a concise but somewhat lazy term as rarely, if ever, is an ingredient proven to do anything, in science. It might seem pedantic to quibble over semantics, but this is such a crucial concept when it comes to ‘science’ that the phrase ‘scientifically proven’ is actually a contradiction in terms. Scientific methods and statistical analysis are about demonstrating how likely it is that a result didn’t occur by chance. In equine nutrition, in particular, we rarely have large enough studies to produce results - and therefore conclusions - with absolute certainty. If someone uses the term ‘scientifically proven,’ it’s a good indication they simply don’t understand this most fundamental concept of science!
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