New products honoured at BETA
9 new products were honoured with innovation awards, sponsored by Equestrian Trade News (ETN) at BETA International (16-18 February). The products — which ranged from gut balancers to heated jackets — had to be new to the market during the previous 12 months. Judges were looking for flair, creativity and cutting-edge technology.
2 companies featured twice in the awards, with riding boot specialists Brogini both winning and taking the highly commended in the footwear category; while LS Sales (Farnam) won the saddlery section and was highly commended in the supplement category.
The expert judges were vet Beth Pritchard, show producer and rider Katie Jerram, medical doctor and body protector specialist Michael Whitlock and retailer Simon Wetherald (pictured, above with ETN‘s Nicki Lewis and Liz Benwell).
BETA International organiser Claire Thomas said that this year produced a record number of entries.
“The awards continue to grow year-on-year, which reflects just how highly regarded they are by members of the trade,” she said. “Companies recognise the value in winning such an accolade and the right to feature the award’s branding in their own marketing campaigns is priceless.”
2014 innovation awards:
Feed and supplements winner: Trilanco — Science Supplements Gut Balancer; highly commended: LS Sales (Farnam) — Simplify Fly Inhibitor Supplement
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Horsecare equipment and clothing winner: Carr & Day & Martin — Equimist 360; highly commended: Equomed Lumark — Ion Diodes Magnetic Therapy
Pet products winner: Horseware Ireland — Sportz-Vibe massage rug for dogs; highly commended: Pet Rebellion — Boot Mate
Rider clothing winner: Mobile Warming — ladies’ heated jacket; highly commended: EquiSox & JockeySox — JockeySox
Saddlery and tack winner: LS Sales (Farnam)/Leslie Sutcliffe — Stride Free Exercise Saddle; highly commended: Ardall — Pro-Fit Studs and Pro-Fit Reamer Bit
Safety and security winner: Airowear — Hickstead body protector; highly commended: Charles Owen & Co (Bow) — Charles Owen V8
Country fashion and footwear winner: Oland Footwear — Montreal OC Bre; highly commended: Le Jabot & Stock Company — Le Jabot Cross Over Wrap
Rider footwear and chaps winner: Brogini — Simona Boot; highly commended: Brogini — Caldo Boot
“Other” winner: Horse & Country TV — Horse & Country TV Everywhere; highly commended: Life Data Labs — Farrier’s Finish Hoof Protectant
Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.