Posted: 26th February 2015 | Back to news feed
New products displaying craftsmanship, cutting-edge design and inspiring ideas were honoured in BETA International’s 2015 Innovation Awards. Winners were presented with these industry accolades during this year’s trade fair, at the NEC, Birmingham, on Monday (23 February).
Sponsored by Equestrian Trade News, the show’s media partner, the highly prized awards were open to all exhibitors with products that had not been launched on the market more than 12 months before the 2015 trade fair. This year attracted a record 99 entries, giving the judging panel a challenging task in finding winners in each of the 10 categories.
The judges were Sara Blackshaw, equine category manager of Countrywide Farmers, Alex Colquhoun, chairman of British Eventing’s Young Rider Selection Committee, John Sommerville, a partner in the North Yorkshire veterinary practice Rae Bean & Son, and Sophie Webster, a show rider and producer.
“The awards attracted such a vast number of entries this year that our judges had an exceptionally tough task in selecting the winners,” said BETA International organiser Claire Thomas. “There were some cracking products across the board and, after consideration, those felt to be truly innovative soon became apparent. We would like to thank our judging panel for all its hard work and congratulate the companies that have been successful in securing an award.
“They can be justifiably proud of their achievement and should make the most of being able to use the Innovation Awards winner’s logo in their marketing for the next 12 months.”
The 2015 Innovation Awards winners were…
COUNTRY FASHION & FOOTWEAR
Winner
Company: Ariat Europe
Product: Ariat Country Tall Boot Collection
This collection for men and women features new ATS Pro technology to ensure maximum stability with enhanced flexibility, the new Poron XRD smart rebound heel pad to provide extreme impact and high-traction Duratread outsoles. The boots are perfect to wear for everything from long country walks to walking round outdoor events.
Judges’ comments: These high-end boots, with many innovative features, are certainly worth the money. The quality and style are excellent, with nice seams and detail on the leather. “A lovely, lovely little boot,” said one judge.
Highly commended
Company: Grubs Boots
Product: Rainline
Aimed at the general country, equestrian and agricultural market, these boots reinvent the welly, combining Grub’s unique Superdri technology with lightweight, easy-clean rubber. They bring to the wellington market a new level of fit, comfort, grip and warmth as a result of the Insufoam stretch bellows on the shaft, Nitrocell, cushioned and insulated footbed and Trax Duraprene rubber sole.
Judges’ comments: Whereas most wellies don’t’ have enough rubber, these do. They use three different technologies and are available at a very nice price.The boots have good finishing, a wide range of sizes, are not too heavy to wear and we like the elastic at the back – ideal for wider legs.
FEED & SUPPLEMENTS
Winner
Company: The Herbal Horse + Pet
Product: Ultimate Mix
Probiotics, multivitamins and joint supplements are combined in one product. It is cost-effective and ideal as a general-purpose, complete supplement for horses.
Judges’ comments: This supplement is very appealing and smartly packaged, clearly aimed at the equestrian market. The principle behind the product is very good.
Highly commended
Company: TopSpec Equine
Product: TopSpec UlsaKind
These cubes represent a breakthrough in the design of products to help horses prone to or suffering from ulcers. Ingredients include specific forms of beta glucans, pectin, a long-acting marine-derived antacid, omega-3 fatty acids, soya oil, short-term antacids and highly digestible fibre, all within an ultra-low-starch formulation.
Judges’ comments: Extensive research has gone into this well-produced product, which is nicely priced and in appealing packaging with labelling clearly listing the ingredients.
GENERAL
Winner
Company: Solar Technology International
Product: Solar Mate Solar Hub
This is the first easy-to-install solar lighting and power system designed for stables and agricultural buildings, giving good working light and allowing you to charge your phone in remote locations.
Judges’ comments: The low-cost product provides good lighting in a small equine area and is particularly useful if you don’t have electricity. We were also impressed by the 10-year warranty. It should have good market appeal.
Highly commended
Company: Forelock Books
Product: Forelock books
These modern horse and pony stories are aimed at today’s young riders, pony lovers of all ages, happy hackers and non-riders. Launched in May 2014, the books are available through equestrian retailers and pony clubs, as well as at horse events.
Judges’ comments: The books hit their market of young equestrians and are reasonably priced and beautifully produced.
HORSECARE EQUIPMENT & (HORSE) CLOTHING
Winner
Company: Battles
Product: Sküp
This is the only food scoop on the market with teeth – designed to loosen compacted feed and making feeding your horse a quicker and easier process. It is self-righting and can stand up on its own while the handle can be held in several different ways and has been ergonomically designed to ensure it does not spin in the hand.
Judges’ comments: This is a truly innovative product at a very affordable price. We love the fact that it stands up on its own and can be held in different ways. The clearly visible measurement marks are also very useful.
Highly commended
Company: Shires Equestrian Products
Product: Equi Cool Down
These instant-cooling body, leg and neck wraps for both humans and equines do not require refrigeration, electricity or gel. When soaked in water, they will reduce body temperature. The cooling effect can last for hours.
Judges’ comments: What an amazing innovation! It’s a really good concept that’s washable and reusable, and particularly useful in summer. This is a first in the equestrian market.
PET PRODUCTS
Winner
Company: Animology/Pet Rebellion
Product: Woof food bowl
Two removable stainless-steel, dishwasher-friendly bowls sit in a shaped, high-gloss floor mount with rubber-grip feet in red, black and white colour options.
Judges’ comments: The design is innovative and attractive, and the product is well-made, cleanable and non-slip.
RIDER CLOTHING
Winner
Company: Kastel Denmark
Product: Charlotte Collection shirt
This quarter-zip riding shirt is breathable and made in a UV-protective fabric with mesh sleeve panels to provide both a comfortable riding experience and fashion flair.
Judges’ comments: What makes this clever is the mesh sleeves and breathable strips on the arms. It is also really comfortable and of high quality, with good packaging and labelling, and suitable for riders across the board.
Highly commended
Company: EquiSports Performance/EquiSox/JockeySox
Product: Performance Posture Trainer
The benefit of this product is that it will help the user to obtain and maintain a more correct, balanced and strengthened posture with a neutral spine alignment.
Judges’ comments: This is a very good product that is now being brought to the equestrian market. It is nicely padded with good stitching, making it very comfortable to wear. Thought has clearly gone into the principle and design.
RIDER FOOTWEAR & CHAPS
Winner
Company: Lorenzini Titanium
Product: Spurs
Made in Italy, these spurs combine the benefits of pure titanium with the elegance of European craftsmanship. They are lightweight and antibacterial, feature rubber covering for a better grip and are available in four styles.
Judges’ comments: The spurs are made completely from titanium in a lovely Italian design with very good packaging. The company has further developed the design of spurs, bringing to the market something that is different.
Highly commended
Company: Ariat Europe
Product: Ariat Monaco stretch tall boots
This luxurious boot features an innovative stretch-leather construction, with elasticated mesh lining for a close fit. It is made from premium French calf leathers and features Ariat’s sterling logo plaque.
Judges’ comments: This is a well-made, very attractive boot, ergonomically designed and pleasing on the eye. It is a high-end product based on a European boot but not too tall.
SADDLERY & TACK
Winner
Company: Neue Schule
Product: Neue Schule Turtle Top bit
This is an innovative bit that has been designed for the overactive and busy mouth. The horse is prevented from lifting the side arms – cannons – through the joint design, ensuring the bit comes into the desired optimum alignment and giving greater stability.
Judges’ comments: This well-crafted bit is fabulous! The innovation, extensively researched, is in the alignment of the bit’s mouthpiece. Most bits are designed to sit on the horse’s mouth, whereas this wonderfully designed product means that when pressure is put on the mouth it sits perfectly.
Highly commended
Company: Horseware Ireland
Product: Rambo StirrUP
This stirrup uses a drop-step mechanism, giving the rider an additional 6in for an easy leg-up into the saddle. The frame is made from high-quality, die-cast alloy, with a foot rest of shock-absorbent nylon plastic.
Judges’ comments: This stirrup’s clever mechanism is what makes it innovative, making it easier for riders to mount their horses. It is very well priced and nicely packaged.
SAFETY & SECURITY
Winner
Company: USG
Product: USG SOS
This tag with an individual ID code attaches to USG body protectors and holds all the vital information needed in the event of an emergency – whatever you choose to store, from contacts to medical details.
Judges’ comments: This is a really sensible product that can help riders in all emergencies. We like the quantity of detail about riders and their horses that can be stored. It is an idea that has finally surfaced in the equestrian market.
Highly commended
Company: Hack-Cam (gizapaw.co.uk)
Product: Hack-Cam safety products
This reflective and hi-viz tail sleeve and tabard promotes safety not only through a warning – “Smile You're on Camera" or "Please Pass Wide & Slow" – but also by recording with a small attachable camera.
Judges’ comments: The use of an attached camera to a tabard is a breakthrough in the equestrian market, although it has appeared elsewhere. It is useful if you are hurt in a collision with a car and can use it to give evidence in the event of a claim.
TECHNICAL OUTDOOR CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR
Winner
Company: Deerhunter
Product: Muflon
Aimed at the country outdoor pursuits market, this jacket is breathable and waterproof, and has hand warmers, a detachable hood and an array of pockets inside and out. There are trousers to match.
Judges’ comments: This reasonably priced jacket is smart and well-fitting, and its brown trim gives a hint of European design. The five-year warranty is impressive.
Highly commended
Company: Alan Paine Country Collection
Product: Durham lightweight gents’ jacket
This gents’ technical jacket, suitable for .all-year-round wear, is made of extremely lightweight but robust cotton Cordura. It is very durable and reliable in the toughest conditions.
Judges’ comments: This is incredibly lightweight compared with similar jackets. We like the pleating on the arms and the abundance of pockets, and the competitive pricing.
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