Do you shop with a winner?

The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) and South Essex Insurance Brokers (SEIB) need your help to find Britain’s best equestrian retailers.

Read on and your local tackshop or feed merchant, preferred mail order company or website could collect a prestigious national award…

Everyone is invited to nominate their favourite for the SEIB Retailer of the Year, to be presented at the 2009 BETA Business Awards – the equestrian industry’s ‘Oscars’ – in February.

The Award is divided into three categories:

Large Retailer of the Year

Small Retailer of the Year

Internet/Mail Order Retailer of the Year

Designed to reflect the diverse range of equestrian retail outlets across the UK, the three Awards also ensure that every size and type of equestrian retail business has a chance of winning.

The Retailer of the Year Award highlights BETA’s determination to reward professionalism among specialist equestrian retailers, something SEIB also endorses.

“When you go horsy shopping, a good retailer can make all the difference by offering a reliable service and helpful advice” said Nicolina MacKenzie, marketing manager of SEIB. “That’s why SEIB is delighted to support this award and give those outstanding retailers the recognition they deserve.”

“BETA works to encourage the highest standards of service in equestrian retailing, enabling horse owners and riders to shop with confidence,” added Claire Williams, executive director of BETA.

How to nominate

Before nominating your number one retailer, consider how well its products are displayed and explained in the store, on a show stand or within a catalogue or website. BETA and SEIB also want to hear about retailers with knowledgeable, helpful shop staff, fast delivery services and clean, tidy shops.

Customer service is very important too.

How does your chosen retailer handle your telephone calls?

Will they obtain unusual products for you?

Does the business contribute to the local equestrian community?

To nominate, simply click on the nomination button or the VOTE NOW icon above and follow the instructions on screen. Everyone who votes is in with a chance of winning a WINTEC 500 All Purpose Saddle worth £299.

Nominations for the 2009 BETA/SEIB Retailer of the Year Award close on 8th December, 2008.

The judging process

All nominated retailers will receive a questionnaire from BETA which must be completed and returned to be considered for the next stage of judging.

An independent panel will then draw up a shortlist of retailers who have reach the finals in each of the three categories. The names of businesses reaching the finals will be announced.

A final decision will be made following a vote from the trade supply sector,  incognito visits to tackshops and feed merchants and via ‘mystery shop’ telephone calls to internet and mail order retailers.

The awards in all three categories will be presented at the BETA Gala Dinner & 2009 Business Awards, to be held at the Metropole Hotel, Birmingham.

About BETA

More than 400 tack shops and feed merchants across the UK are entitled to display the BETA logo, indicating their retail membership of the association and that they are professionally run businesses.

BETA also runs courses to train retailers in the fitting of riding hats and body protectors and to enhance their equestrian product knowledge – information that is available to horse owners and riders who shop with them.

For more information, contact BETA on
01937 587062 or visit www.beta-uk.org