BETA

Three ambitious equestrian businesses have secured investment offers after stepping into the spotlight at the inaugural Mustangs’ Corral at BETA International 2026. There was everything from a water-saving innovation to a new approach to horse studs, and two teenage entrepreneurs with a growing detangler business, as four equestrian businesses faced a panel of investors in front of a live audience. For the finalists, the stakes were high. The Mustangs’ Corral offered the opportunity to pitch for investment of up to £250,000, alongside something potentially just as valuable for a growing business: access to experienced entrepreneurs, industry contacts and mentoring. And

The countdown is on to one of the biggest dates in the equestrian business calendar, with BETA International preparing to open its doors at the NEC Birmingham this weekend. Taking place on Sunday 27 and Monday 28 September 2026, the trade-only event will bring together retailers, manufacturers, distributors, buyers, suppliers and equestrian professionals for two days of new products, business, networking and industry discussion. Sponsored by Neue Schule, BETA International is expected to welcome more than 200 exhibitors, with thousands of products represented across the show floor. This year’s event will once again be co-located with PATS, the Pet &

Leading equestrian brand Shires Equestrian has secured a place in the final shortlist for the British Equestrian Trade Association’s (BETA) Marketing Effectiveness Award 2025, recognising their successful Aubrion React rider wear collection launch. The BETA Marketing Effectiveness Award represents the global benchmark for excellence in effective communications within the equestrian industry. This prestigious accolade recognises marketing activities that have successfully solved business problems and delivered measurable improvements in business results. Aubrion React Campaign Success Shires Equestrian’s shortlisted entry showcases the comprehensive marketing strategy they developed and implemented for the launch of their innovative rider wear collection, Aubrion React. The campaign

BETA International 2025 is generating significant industry excitement as registrations surge by an impressive 228% ahead of the show’s return to the NEC Birmingham this September. Major Changes for BETA International 2025 This year marks several significant milestones for the equestrian trade show: Enhanced Value with PATS Co-Location For the first time ever, BETA International will be co-located with PATS on 28th and 29th September 2025. Visitors can access both shows on a single ticket, significantly expanding networking opportunities and product discovery across the equestrian and pet trade sectors. “We’re really excited about the 2025 show, and very proud of

The British Equestrian Trade Association’s Trade Awards, the BETAs, are now accepting nominations for the 2025 awards. The BETAs are made up of 11 awards with five needing nominations from customers before judging commences. The winners will be announced at BETA’s annual gala dinner which will be held on Sunday 28th September at the Hilton Metropole, NEC, Birmingham. The awards in need of nominations are: Safety Equipment Fitter of the Year, sponsored by BETA. This award recognises the work undertaken by hat and body protector fitters based in equestrian shops. Nominees should demonstrate a high level of understanding and go the extra mile

BETA International, the premier event for the equestrian trade industry, is already generating excitement for its 2025 show. There has already been a strong onsite rebooking of 92% at this year’s event, with exhibitors clearly demonstrating their confidence in BETA Internationals future with Raccoon Media Group.  The 2025 event will return to its roots at Hall 2, NEC Birmingham on 28 – 29 September 2025. This shift is in response to exhibitor feedback highlighting the NEC’s accessibility by road, rail, and air, which benefits both national and international exhibitors and attendees.  Now under Raccoon Media Group’s ownership, an experienced global event organiser, BETA International 2025 will benefit from Raccoon’s industry insight in mobilising passion-led B2C and B2B communities.

Bedmax has become the first equine bedding company to become BETA NOPS accredited. The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) has been planning the scheme since January 2020, which aims to minimise the risk of contamination by naturally occurring prohibited substances (NOPS) in equine bedding products. Carrying this badge certifies that all products from BEDMAX’s range, which includes Bedmax, Littlemax, and Stockmax shavings and its recently launched Strawmax straw pellet bedding, conform to the current best practice. Contamination by naturally occurring prohibited substances has been an ongoing problem with performance horses for some time and the FEI takes a no-tolerance stance

Abbey England offers a bit of everything at BETA International Leading supplier of premium products and material for the equestrian industry, Abbey England, will be showcasing its extensive range of bits at BETA International, which will be held this year from 9-11 September 2021 at NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. Abbey England (stand 238 at 2021 BETA International) manufactures and supplies bits for all equestrian disciplines; from dressage to show jumping and driving, to racing and polo. The range combines all forms of mouthpieces, including Cherry Roller, Twisted, Hanoverian, Jointed, Dr Bristol, French link, Waterford, Port, Vulcanite and Rubber,  with various cheekpiece

The search is on for the 2021 Equine Thesis of the Year, BETA’s annual award initiative to recognize academic excellence in undergraduate equine-related study. Universities and colleges across the UK and Ireland are offering appropriate courses that have each been invited to submit one student thesis into the running. There have been 10 entries to date, from University Centre Reaseheath, Writtle University College, Harper Adams University, Duchy College, Warwickshire College, Royal Veterinary College, University Centre Myerscough, University of Limerick, Bishop Burton College and university Centre Sparsholt.  Further submissions are expected before the 9 July deadline. All entered theses will then be

BETA Feed Awareness Week Returns to Help Grow Knowledge and Dispel Myths BETA Feed Awareness Week is back – running for a third time – earlier in the year than usual, but with the same mission, to dispel feeding myths and grow nutritional knowledge. This popular campaign will take place from 27 March to 4 April, just as spring arrives and the competition season begins to unfold. The initiative, designed to help sort feeding fact from fiction, will reach out to the nation’s horse owners and carers with a huge helping of trustworthy tips and guidance from qualified equine nutritionists.

BETA Survey Lends Insight into Spending and Activity During COVID Pandemic The findings of a new British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) survey provide a fascinating snapshot of the UK’s equestrian sector in the wake of a global pandemic. The survey set out to measure the impact of Covid-19 on riding and equestrian spending habits. It took place in December 2020 and January 2021, with 1,508 horse owners and riders providing input on their activities since the beginning of 2020. The detailed survey, commissioned by BETA and carried out by JDA Research, reveals that online shopping has increased by a staggering

The 2021 BETA International trade event is going full steam ahead with new dates, alongside the existing plans for a change of venue for next year’s show. Organisers have announced that this leading trade buying and business event for the equestrian, pet and country sectors will now take place from Thursday 9 to Saturday 11 September, instead of January. The decision to postpone the show follows government restrictions, which have left BETA International’s original January dates no longer an option. We are extremely pleased that we have been able to secure a new timeline for 2021,” said show organiser Claire

The changing faces of social media, digital marketing, print advertising – and management in the workplace – were discussed at the 2020 BETA Conference on Monday 26 October. Leading members of the equestrian industry, including manufacturers, retailers and marketers, gathered for this annual event, held online for the very first time. Media consultant Michelle Goodall explored the latest trends in social media and gave tips on how to adapt to them, highlighting how this medium continues to grow, with 44 million Facebook users and 24 million on Instagram in the UK alone. “However, social media is not a panacea –

The search for the winner of the 2020 BETA Equine Thesis of the Year Award, recognising academic excellence in undergraduate study, takes a step closer as four finalists are announced. The strong contenders have each made it through the preliminary judging round and will now present their thesis to a panel of judges during an online event on Sunday 25 October. One student thesis was received per entry from universities and colleges offering equine-related degree courses across the UK and Ireland, with the following making it into the finals: Royal Veterinary College – Victoria O’Hara. Thesis: Use of commercial ELISA

BETA Safety Week New Dates Announced The organisers of BETA Safety Week have announced new dates for the 2020 campaign following the postponement of April’s schedule due to the coronavirus pandemic. The annual campaign that raises awareness for rider safety and the importance of correctly fitted up to official standards gear will now run from 27 June to 5 July. Each year riders are encouraged to visit participating BETA retailers to have essential items of riding wear checked for fit, quality and to make sure each item adheres to the correct safety standards. Advice is also available on riding hats,

BETA Survey Highlights Equestrian Trade Downturn Since Coronavirus Equestrian News :: Everything Horse A recent survey conducted by BETA has established nearly 200 equestrian businesses faced an average 63% fall in turnover in the first 10 days of the coronavirus lockdown. Trade association members – retailers and suppliers – were consulted in the period up to 2 April and given the opportunity to share figures and fears. Covid-19’s unique and all-pervading impact is posing the greatest threat to the future of our trade that most of us will have ever experienced,” said BETA executive director Claire Williams. The survey allows

BETA Safety Week Returns for 2020 Equestrian News :: Everything Horse   BETA Safety Week, the annual awareness-raising initiative promoting the importance of safety gear that is correctly fitted, fastened and up to standard, has been postponed until 27 June because of the coronavirus outbreak. BETA Safety Week will once again return for 2020 following the success of last year’s campaign. Introduced to raise awareness for rider safety, messages include the importance of such, as well as making sure items are fitted correctly and are up to the current standards. The annual campaign, which is running for its third consecutive

New Venue for BETA International 2021 BETA International is set for pastures new, with a bold and exciting move to NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, allowing the UK’s leading trade show for equestrian, pet, country and giftware a chance to grow and develop. The new venue will become home to BETA International from 2021, when the show takes over the entire Stoneleigh Park site, making full use of its three large halls and 250 acres of parkland only a short distance from Coventry and conveniently located in the centre of the country, with Birmingham International Airport and road and rail networks close

The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) has launched its annual competition to find 12 of the very best horsey-themed photographs to star in next year’s BETA Equestrian Calendar. A coveted prize for any budding photographer or lover of horses. An image is needed to represent each month, with the one judged Best in Show winning the photographer a fabulous luxury gift hamper. How to enter All entries must be supplied in a digital format – minimum size 150 x 115mm (1,722 x 1,358 px) at 300dpi – and emailed to Tina Hustler, tina@beta-uk.org. The photographer’s name, address and a description

BETA Safety Week Returns for 2019 When: 27 April to 5 May 2019 The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) have confirmed BETA Safety Week will return for 2019. The annual initiative, introduced last year, is set to once again to fly the flag for rider safety by raising the importance of safety gear, the correct fitting, and it being up to standard. We are really pleased that BETA Safety Week is returning to drive home the key messages about rider safety,” said BETA executive director Claire Williams. We had no idea how successful the campaign was going to be when

Brilliant BETA Showcases Innovation and Awards Brilliance The 2019 BETA International trade fair once again took place in the halls of the NEC Birmingham this week. Held over three days (20th – 22nd January), more than 300 exhibitors claimed exhibition space to showcase the latest in innovation, trends and style. With awards being presented throughout the three day equestrian industry extravaganza, there were honours to be claimed and new relationships to be formed. Renowned for its excellent networking opportunities, BETA also offers visitors a platform to forge new relationships with trade companies, well respected brands and fledgling entrepreneurs in a

Alastair Stewart Returns to BETA International 2019 to ‘Talk Business’ It has been announced that ITV newscaster Alastair Stewart, will for the fourth year return to the BETA International exhibition (2019) to ‘talk business’ to the eager crowds that gather. He will be joined by a selected panel of the most influential industry experts including (TopSpec Executive Chairman) Philip Tyler; Martin Balmer (Managing Director, Trilanco); Doug Walker (Director, Horse Health) and others. Said Alastair: I am delighted to be hosting Talking Business again at BETA International. This is the key gathering for the trade suppliers whom we equestrians rely on.