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2017 Winners
Large Tack Shop
Winner: Aivly Country Store, Ringwood, Hampshire
Runner-up: RB Equestrian, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
A nominator said that staff were always friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. A judge commented: “Lovely shop with good sales assistants who acknowledged us straight away despite being busy.”
Medium Tack Shop
Winner: Highfield Equestrian, Milford, Staffordshire
Runner-up: Tower Farm Saddlers, Earls Barton, Northamptonshire
The winner’s “outstanding level of service and expertise” was noted by a nominator. Judges said: “They offered an impressive level of customer service.”
Small Tack Shop
Winner: Carlton's Equine, Whitley Bay, Northumberland
Runner-up: Eskdale Saddlers, Carlisle, Cumbria
One of the nominators described the winner as “a fantastic shop with a great range of stock – staff are always helpful and friendly”. A judge said: “A delightful small shop with attention to service.”
Mail Order/Internet Retailer
Winner: The Saddlery Shop
Runner-up: Urban Horse
“They have a really clear, easy-to-use website and fantastic customer service,” said one nominator. Judges said: “We liked the clear and well-structured website with excellent search functions and easy order and returns processing.”
2016 Winners
Large Retailer
Winner: Aivly Country Store, Ringwood, Hampshire
Runner-up: Norvite Farm & Country, Insch, Aberdeenshire
A nominator praised the winner’s “exceptional service and quality products”. A judge commented: “Lovely shop with good sales assistants who acknowledged us straight away despite being busy.”
Medium Retailer
Winner: Jet Set Saddlery & Countrywear, Dundonald, Ayrshire
Runner-up: Houghton Country, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland
The winner’s “great customer service with knowledgeable, friendly staff” was noted by a nominator. Judges said: “They offered an excellent selection of products and friendly service.”
Small Retailer
Winner: Equicraft of Backwell, Somerset
Runner-up: Tower Farm Saddlers, East Barton, Northamptonshire
One of the nominators described the winner as “very helpful, always going above and beyond to find what I need”. A judge said: “Staff were knowledgeable and clear in their advice.”
Mail Order/Internet Retailer
Winner: Houghton Country, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland
Runner-up: Mane Supplies, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
“They always give excellent service and advice,” said one nominator of the winner. Judges said: “A well-structured website with good navigation and shopping tools. Their dispatch and customer service put them clearly at the top of the list of finalists.”
2015 Winners
Mail Order/Internet Retailer
Winner: Supplement Solution
Runner-up: VioVet
Small Retailer
Winner: Tower Farm Saddlers, Earls Barton, Northamptonshire
Runner-up: Equicraft of Backwell, Bristol
Medium Retailer
Winner: Redpost Equestrian, Totnes, Devon
Runner-up: Colne Saddlery, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Large Retailer
Winner: Wadswick Country Store, Corsham, Wiltshire
Runner-up: Aivly Country Store, Ringwood, Hampshire
2014 Winners
South Essex Insurance Brokers Retailer of the Year – MAIL ORDER / INTERNET RETAILER
Winner – Equestrian Clearance Warehouse, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire
Runner up – Cavaletti Clothing, Ashurst, Hampshire
South Essex Insurance Brokers Retailer of the Year – SMALL RETAILER
Winner – Alan’s Ark, Soham, Cambridgeshire
Runner up – Eskdale Saddlery, Carlisle
South Essex Insurance Brokers Retailer of the Year – MEDIUM RETAILER
Winner – Houghton Equestrian, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland
Runner up – RB Equestrian, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
South Essex Insurance Brokers Retailer of the Year – LARGE RETAILER
Winner – Wadswick Country Store, Wiltshire
Runner up – Countrywide Farmers, Evesham, Worcestershire
2013 Winners
South Essex Insurance Brokers Retailer of the Year – MAIL ORDER
Winner – Supplement Solutions
Runner up – Utterly Horses
South Essex Insurance Brokers Retailer of the Year – SMALL RETAILER
Winner – Alan's Ark, Ely
Runner up – Patchetts Equestrian
South Essex Insurance Brokers Retailer of the Year – MEDIUM RETAILER
Winner – Tower Farm Saddlers, Rugby
Runner up – R B Equestrian
South Essex Insurance Brokers Retailer of the Year – LARGE RETAILER
Winner – Aivly Country Store
Joint Runners up – Speedgate Enterprises
2012 Winners
South Essex Insurance Brokers Retailer of the Year – MAIL ORDER
Winner – Supplement Solutions
Runner up – Robinsons country leisure
South Essex Insurance Brokers Retailer of the Year – SMALL RETAILER
Winner – Iron Horse Equestrian Supplies
Runner up – Equicraft of Backwell
South Essex Insurance Brokers Retailer of the Year – MEDIUM RETAILER
Winner – R B Equestrian
Runner up – Tower Farm Saddlers
South Essex Insurance Brokers Retailer of the Year – LARGE RETAILER
Winner – Wadswick Country Store
Joint Runners up – Robinsons Country Leisure Basingstoke / Aivly Country Store
2009 Winners
The SEIB Retailer of the Year Award - among the most sought-after accolades in the equestrian industry – is presented annually by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) at the BETA Gala Dinner in February. As nominations open for the 2010 award, we’d like to congratulate last year’s winners – and remind you how and why they were chosen as SEIB Retailers of the Year.
2009 winners were:
RB Equestrian, Buckinghamshire (large retailer)
Martinshouse Equestrian, Scottish Borders (small retailer)
Ingatestone Saddlery (internet/mail order)
2009 runners-up were:
Ingatestone Saddlery, Essex (large retailer)
Harley Equestrian, Northants (small retailer)
Derby House (internet/mail order)
More than 3,000 nominations from equestrian shoppers were received for the 2009 SEIB Retailer of the Year Award. Final judging, conducted by an independent panel, took suppliers’ votes into account as well as incognito calls and ‘mystery shop’ visits.
The SEIB Retailer Award is divided into three categories, large, small and internet/mail order, to reflect the diverse range of equestrian retail outlets across the UK.
A consumer who nominated large retailer category winner, RB Equestrian said: “Just the best! They have been looking after me and my horses for years. Excellent service and staff, they always have time to help, nothing has ever been too much trouble.” The mystery shop judge added: “A very well laid-out store, excellent service and friendly, knowledgeable staff.”
Martinshouse Equestrian was successfully nominated for the small retailer award by a consumer who said: “Finally somewhere I can get everything I need and who know what they are talking about. Superb staff who are always willing to help and go out of their way for you.” The incognito judge reported: “An inviting and well set-out store with staff there to help when advice is needed. I felt like a valued customer.”
Internet/mail order winner Ingatestone Saddlery was described by a nominator as “Very helpful with a wide variety of products. A five-star retailer!” The mystery caller added: “A clear and easy to view website. During the phone enquiry, the advice given was practical with a wide choice of product given, backed up with plenty of information and price points.”
Does your retailer deserve a 2010 award? Send in your nomination now!
2008 Winners
Large Retailer
Ingatestone Saddlery
Main Road, Margaretting, Ingatestone, Essex CM4 0ES
Tel: 01277 353723
www.ingatestonesaddlery.co.uk
Small Retailer
Equicraft of Backwell
42 Rodney Road, Backwell, Bristol, BS48 3HW
Tel: 01275 463933
Internet/Mailorder
Utterly Horses, The Courtyard, Whitehouse Road, Stebbing, Essex, CM6 3BY
Tel: 01371 856005
www.utterlyhorses.com
Awarded to the retailer offering outstanding customer service, 1,800 consumers’ nominations were received via the SEIB website.
Final judging took suppliers’ votes into account as well as incognito calls and ‘mystery shop’ visits. The SEIB Retailer Award is divided into three categories, large, small and internet/mail order, to reflect the diverse range of equestrian retail outlets across the UK.
Record numbers of nominations from equestrian shoppers, plus the high standard of finalists, prompted the independent judging panel to commend a runner-up in each category. There are Janette Moss Horsewear (large retailer), Eclipse (small retailer) and Mad 4 Ponies (internet/mail order).
A consumer who nominated large retailer category winner, Essex based Ingatestone Saddlery said: “Lots to choose from with all items well displayed. There’s also a lovely café. My friends and I travel over 60 each way to shop at Ingatestone.” The mystery shop judge added: “This store is immaculately presented, highly professional and a successful example of equestrian retailing in the 21st century.”
Equicraft of Backwell, in North Somerset, was successfully nominated for the small retailer award by a consumer who said: “A small shop that’s big on customer service. They are always interested in me, my pony and what we are up to.” This store impressed the incognito judge who reported: “I’ve never been better served in any specialist shop. The staff were bright, friendly and informed.”
Model horse specialist internet retailer Utterly Horses was very well supported with nominations and said by a mystery shopper to have “a clear and easy-to-navigate website to enable browsers to find items easily.” The incognito judge added: “At Utterly Horses, I encountered a genuine enthusiast with superb knowledge of stock and stacks of ideas. The relaxed yet informed approach befitted the retailing of fun products.”2007 Winners
Large Retailer
Tower Farm Saddlers
Barby Lane, Hillmorton, Rugby Warks. CV23 8UX
Tel: 01788 572 929
Small Retailer
Equimix Feeds
Sandy lane Trading Estate, Titton, Stourport on Severn, Worcs. DY13 9QA
Tel: 01299 827744
Internet/Mailorder
Frogpool Manor Saddlery
Perry Street, Chislehurst Kent. BR7 6HA
www.frogpool.com
Rugby based Tower Farm Saddlers was established by Henry and Pru Welton in 1970. One nominating customer told BETA: “I have been using Tower Farm for 24 years ever since I started riding. They have been consistently helpful and friendly with their customer service, nothing is too much trouble. Their expert advice, whether it’s for a simple pair of gloves through to complicated bits and saddlery, is always given in easy to understand way.”
Having recovered from a serious in-store fire last year, Equimix of Stourport-on-Severn, was commended by a nominator for its “helpful, friendly attitude and huge effort to redecorate and re-rise from the ashes.” A supplier added: “Equimix work professionally utilising their experience and product knowledge and with a good understanding of the industry. They are very efficient with customer service too.”
An incognito shopper who called Chislehurst, Kent based Frogpool Manor’s internet/mail order service remarked: “I asked for help with a technical problem and was given in-depth, factual advice in a very reassuring yet professional way. It was so refreshing to talk to a knowledgeable horsy person. When I’d placed my order, I was kept well informed of its progress.”2006 Winners
Retailer of the Year
Frogpool Manor Saddlery
Perry Street, Chislehurst Kent. BR7 6HA
www.frogpool.com
Retailer of the Year (runner up)
Cavaletti Clothing and R&R Country
PO Box 284, Ashhurst, Southampton SO40 7WE
www.cavaletticlothing.com
Feed Merchant of the Year
Redpost Equestrian Supplies
Lillisford Stud, Littlehempston, Totnes TQ9 6NG
www.redpostequestrian.co.uk
Feed Merchant of the Year (runner up)
William Alexander & Son and R & R Country
One nominating customer said of Chislehurst, Kent based Frogpool Manor: “Incredibly helpful staff, well organised shop, an all-round equestrian store.”
Cavaletti, a mail order company from Hampshire, was also highly praised by customers. “Dedicated to providing riding wear for generously build ladies, considerate and helpful staff available to answer sizing queries,” said one.
Selby, North Yorkshire based R & R Country was said by a nominator to have “knowledgeable, helpful staff. This shop has everything in stock and, if not, they will get it.”
One customer who nominated Redpost Equestrian Supplies, of Totnes, Devon, said: “Always helpful, excellent service, customer care and genuine horse knowledge.”
R & R Country was said to offer “helpful, friendly staff who offer advice as required.” And of Glasgow based William Alexander & Son, a nominator commented: “They provide first class, efficient yet personal service. No request is too much.”
