The best livery and competition yards in the UK were crowned at the SEIB Insurance Brokers Awards, which took place at Dorney Lake, Berkshire (6 July). More than £50,000 was also awarded to charities.
Over 650 nominations were made for the SEIB Yard of the Year Awards, with categories for Riding for the Disabled (RDA) centres, livery yards, riding schools and competition venues. Those nominated underwent a rigorous judging panel to create a shortlist. Following a video submission for shortlisted yards, a panel of judges determined the overall winners and which were high commended. Scroll down to see who the winners were…
SEIB Competition Venue of the Year
Colraine Equestrian Centre, which is owned by Michael Gadsdon in Truro, lifted the competition venue crown.
General manager Helena Ellery, who accepted the award alongside Becky King (pictured above), said: “This really means everything to us. Both Becky and I have young children and we give up our family time each weekend to be there so to achieve this recognition is amazing.
“This award really shows that we are going in the right direction. We try to adapt and put on new things – last year we had our first Halloween fun show, there is demand for loose jumping clinics and stallion parades. We have a free weekend at the end of July and are planning to put on a celebratory show for everyone with SEIB Competition Venue of the Year sashes; it will probably be arena eventing.”
Two venues were highly commended: Chard Equestrian Centre in Somerset and Netherton Equestrian Centre in Perthshire.
SEIB Full Livery Yard of the Year
SEIB Full Livery Yard of the Year: Corvedale Equestrian
The SEIB Full Livery Yard of the Year title went to Mark Walters and Nicholas Lawson of Corvedale Equestrian.
“It was a genuine surprise to have been nominated by our wonderful liveries, they kept it very quiet amongst themselves,” said Mark. “We went to the awards quietly hopeful and were thrilled to have won.
“Nicholas and I have had a real journey with getting the yard going over the last three years. We had debated setting up a business together and then on the eve of lockdown in 2020, Nicholas was made redundant so it was all a massive shock and we had to make a plan going forward.
“We focused on the livery yard and threw everything into it. Our focus is on providing a non-judgmental, supportive environment where we coach, guide and help our clients.”
OSH Dressage was highly commended.
SEIB RDA Centre of the Year
SEIB RDA Centre of the Year: Mill Farm
Mill Farm DIY Livery Yard in Somerset won the SEIB RDA Centre of the Year title.
“Once we realised we had been nominated we found the process helped us evaluate our yard and we have made several improvements going forward,” said proprietor Julia Banwell. “Our lovely liveries nominated us and they all wanted to be in our video submission for the awards. They really put forward what the yard means to them. It is really nice to be recognised for the effort we all put in.”
Whincover Farm Livery Stables in South Yorkshire was highly commended.
SEIB Small Riding School of the Year
Country Treks Equestrian Centre in Kidderminster was named SEIB Small Riding School of the Year.
SEIB Small Riding School of the Year: Country Treks EC
Owner and founder Stephanie Eddies-Davies has been running the yard for 34 years and said winning was “just magic”.
“To get this recognition is such a boost for us and our staff and customers. It feels like we are finally reaping the benefits of the blood, sweat and tears we have put in over the years,” she continued. “We rang home from the awards to share the exciting news we had won and by the time [yard manager] Ashleigh and I returned, the whole team were waiting with champagne and our yard café was turned into a party room. There were some sore heads the day afterwards!”
Stonelea Riding School took highly commended.
SEIB Large Riding School of the Year
Bexley-based Mount Mascal Stables headed the SEIB Large Riding School of the Year category.
SEIB Large Riding School of the Year: Mount Mascal Stables
“We are passionate about delivering a great equestrian experience to our customers and are committed to a providing a variety of activities to suit everyone, in line with our motto ‘Horsemanship 4 All’,” said proprietor Alison Window. “So it’s fantastic to get the recognition — winning this award is huge for us!
“The Mount Mascal Stables Team — human and horse — are our true heros and make it all possible. Thanks also to our lovely clients for their nominations and to SEIB for the award.”
Birmingham’s Horses in the Community was highly commended.
‘Moving with the times’
Showing judge Richard Ramsay, who was on the panel, said: “We are really seeing how as the future of the sport, riding schools are moving with the times. They are adapting and offering so much more. We have noticed a significant increase in the number of non-mounted activities on offer.”
SEIB’s Marketing Manager Nicolina MacKenzie added: “What a celebration of excellence in yards from Scotland right down to west Cornwall we have had. So many grateful customers, owners and riders have put time and thought into their nominations for the yards they love. To celebrate with and speak to our winners is so encouraging and long may they continue their hard work and the fabulous services they offer.”
Charity awards: ‘So emotive to watch’
In the charity awards, World Horse Welfare was the highest placed charity and landed the top prize of £12,000, while The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund received £11,000 as the highest placed small charity with a turnover of less than £100,000.
The Mare and Foal Sanctuary receives a cheque for £7,000
The other finalists, who each received at least £1,000, were Hope Rescue, SeeSaw, The Maggie Oliver Foundation, Ruils Independent Living, Been There, The Oli Hilsdon Foundation and The Candlelighters Trust.
The final vote for the top 12 charities was limited to clients of SEIB. There is strict entry criteria, with only small- and medium-sized charities eligible. Any money granted by SEIB can be used as the charity sees fit and to cover its running costs, but it must be in the UK.
“I am so very proud that SEIB, with the support of our owners Benefact Group, are in a position for our profits to go to good causes,” said chief executive officer Suzy Middleton. “It is so emotive to watch the short films that the finalist charities submit for our awards each year detailing the work they do.
“To be able to support and make even a small difference to the lives of those that these charities help is heart-warming. This year we have had the most diverse selection of charities yet as finalists in SEIB Giving.”
