Country Treks Equestrian Centre & Stonelea Riding School Amongst Winners at SEIB Awards 2022

The fifth annual SEIB Insurance Brokers Awards took place at Eton College Dorney Lake, Berkshire on the 6th July. Over 150 guests and award finalists attended on the day and were treated to a champagne reception before taking their seats and enjoying a welcome speech from the Benefact Group Chairman David Henderson.

SEIB would never have started, yet alone become the success story it is now without the winner of the first award of the day, the SEIB ‘Once in a Lifetime’ Award. Barry Fehler was delighted to receive this surprise award following the recent announcement that he is stepping back in his duties at SEIB. A short video was played highlighting the pioneering way in which Barry has driven SEIB over the years, including personal messages from those Barry has worked with throughout his career. SEIB’s new Chief Executive Officer, Suzy Middleton, Bipin Thaker and Chairman of Benefact Group David Henderson presented Barry with a bespoke trophy to recognise his achievements. He remains a non-executive director at SEIB.

Barry Fehler said: “The award today was kept well hidden. I was caught out and lost for words. It was a relaxed afternoon that ran like clockwork. It was good to see such varied charities. It is promising for the future that no one was overlooked. The publicity for the smaller charities is wonderful. Hopefully they are now in a position to find out more about donations to small charities via the Movement for Good, and access it. People are getting the message about using the group for their insurance needs. At least if we make a return we can redistribute it again!

Following a delicious three course luncheon in the striking boat house overlooking the venue of the rowing competition at the 2012 London Olympics, the awards began in earnest with SEIB Giving donating £52,000 to good causes.

Suzy Middleton, Bipin Thaker and Benefact Group Non-Executive Director, Rita Bajaaj presented a cheque for £12,000 and a commemorative plaque to Roly Owers for the highest placed charity, World Horse Welfare. A sum of £11,000 went to The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund as the highest placed small charity (with a turnover of less than £100,000). Trustee of The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund, David O’Donnell came up on stage to receive the cheque and plaque. Ten other charities reached the final voting stage of the SEIB Charity Awards and received a portion of a £29,000 from SEIB including £7,000 to the Mare and Foal Sanctuary, £6,000 to Animal Free Research UK and £5,000 to Barrow Farm Riding for the Disabled centre. The final vote for the top 12 charities was limited to clients of SEIB.

Suzy Middleton said: “I am so very proud that at SEIB, with the support of our owners, Benefact Group, are in a position for our profits to go to good causes. 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.”

The SEIB Charity Awards have strict entry criteria; only small and medium charities are eligible. Any money granted by SEIB can be used as the charity sees fit and to cover running costs for the charity but it must be in the UK. In previous years the grant had to be awarded for a specific project. SEIB introduced this flexibility into the awards to ensure that the money granted will really make a difference following the hard times of Covid and now the series financial crises that we all find ourselves in.

The general public nominated their favourite charities in the first stage of the decision-making process for the 2022 SEIB Charity Awards before SEIB clients went on to have the final vote for winners of   the £52,000. The Charities Trust provided SEIB with their help to carry out due diligence to ensure that each of the finalists met all criteria of the grant and are above board. SEIB works closely with the charitable sector and insures many charities and non-for-profit organisations, now enhanced through SEIB’s ownership of leading independent ethical broker, WRS Insurance Brokers.

Barry Fehler continued “We are delighted that our customers have decided which of these very worthy causes should receive the grant. SEIB is so successful because we are totally customer focused and this is another way that our clients can have their say”.

The other finalist charities were; Hope Rescue, SeeSaw, The Maggie Oliver Foundation, Ruils Independent Living, Been There, The Oli Hilsdon Foundation and The Candlelighters Trust.

The SEIB Yard of the Year Awards, in association with Horse & Hound, have been set up to celebrate and recognise the skills, hard-work and talents found in leading equestrian establishments across the country. Often referred to as the back-bone of the equestrian industry, the top Livery Yards, Riding Schools, competition venues and Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Centres were celebrated at the SEIB Awards.

This is the first year the SEIB Yard of the Year Awards have run with the support of Horse & Hound. Editor in Chief at Horse & Hound, Sarah Jenkins said: “Over the past few years we have reported in Horse & Hound the challenges facing riding schools, competition centres and livery yards – all exacerbated by tough financial years during the pandemic. At any time those who run and work at these centres put blood, sweat in tears into doing so, helping so many riders get the most out of their hobby or their sport, but never more so than since 2020. For those reasons I was happy to be approached by SEIB to be involved in this year’s awards, in order to help celebrate and recognise those who really have gone above and beyond, in particularly difficult times, to do the very best for those riders who benefit from their expertise.

“The number and calibre of entries was very high, and it was heart-warming to see the appreciation and support behind every nomination, to read some incredible stories of triumph against the odds, and to learn just how much of a difference all of those yards shortlisted are making. Their teams should be hugely proud of the job they are doing and the service they are providing – their clients and participants clearly think a great deal of them.”

Over 650 client nominations were made for RDA centres, livery yards, riding schools and – new for this year – competition venues throughout the country for the 2022 SEIB Yard of the Year Awards, in association with Horse & Hound.  Those nominated underwent a rigorous judging panel to create a shortlist. Following a video submission for these shortlisted yards, a whittled down number of finalist yards attended the awards ceremony to find out the judges decision.

Panel judge Richard Ramsay 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.”

The SEIB RDA Centre of the Year, in association with Horse & Hound, went to Erme Valley RDA Centre. Founder, senior coach and managing director of the centre, Peggy Douglas and, Director,  Ginni Crawley attended the awards and went up on stage to collect the magnificent bronze horses head trophy from SEIB’s Chief Operating Officer Bipin Thaker, Horse & Hound’s Editor in Chief, Sarah Jenkins and SEIB’s Chief Executive Officer, Suzy Middleton. Penniwells RDA took the highly commended award with Centre manager, Sarah Healing and chairman, Trix Summerfield going up on stage.

Peggy from South Devon summed up Erme Valley’s win in the RDA Centre of the Year Award: “It is fantastic, much appreciated support. We had a great day at the awards yesterday and now its back to reality today with mucking out! The publicity we get from these awards is brilliant, it helps us get grants as people appreciate that our standards are high and so we get financial benefit from it too. Everyone on our team knows they are part of the award – staff, volunteers and participants. It is because of them that we have received this award.”

Mill Farm DIY Livery Yard won the SEIB RDA Centre of the Year, in association with Horse & Hound. The award was collected by proprietors Robert and Julia Banwell from Somerset. Whincover Farm Livery Stables’ proprietors Mark and Nicola Downing from South Yorkshire took the Highly Commended award.

Julia said: “Once we realised we had been nominated for the Yard of the Year Awards we found the process helped us evaluate our yard and we have made several improvements going forward. 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.”

The Small Riding School of the Year section was won by Country Treks Equestrian Centre from Kidderminster. Owner and founder, Stephanie Eddies Davies and Manager, Ashleigh James collected the wonderful trophy. 

Stephanie Eddies-Davies said: “This is just magic! We have been running for 34 years now and 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. We rang home from the awards to share the exciting news we had won and by the time 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 which was presented to owner, founder and BHS Accredited Professional Coach, Hannah Hudson and her mother, Lyn Hudson. Stonelea Riding Centre is set in a private family run yard based in Minsterworth, Gloucestershire.

The Large Riding School of the Year Award category saw Bexley based, Mount Mascal Stables take the win for Alison Window and her husband, Tim Rosen. Summerfield Stables, Horses in the Community took highly commended with Georgina Urwin and Dr Linda Stupart heading on stage to collect the framed certificate for this yard based in Birmingham.

Mount Mascal Stables Proprietor, Alison Window said: “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’. 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.”

The SEIB Full Livery Yard of the Year, in association with Horse & Hound category went to Mark Walters and Nicholas Lawson of Corvedale Equestrian.  OSH Dressage took the Highly Commended certificate with owner, trainer and rider, Kate Humphrey-Lear and yard manager, Leanne Field going up on stage.

Mark Walters said: “It was a genuine surprise to have been nominated by our wonderful liveries, they kept it very quiet amongst themselves! 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.”

The new Competition Venue of the Year Award went to Colraine Equestrian Centre in Truro, Helena Ellery the General Manager of the centre collected the award with Becky King.  Colraine Equestrian Centre is owned by Michael Gadsdon. Two venues tied for the Highly Commended award, Chard Equestrian Centre owned and managed by Jane Gregory and deputy manager, Sarah Johnson. Netherton Equestrian Centre’s owners David and Joanna Wilkie travelled from Perthshire to the awards to collect their certificate,

Hellena Ellery, manager 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. We didn’t realise how many of our customers had nominated us and the fabulous comments they made! This award really shows that we are going in the right direction. We have the same competitors coming to our competitions – there are several bigger places on the way down to us in West Cornwall! 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.”

SEIB’s Marketing Manager Nicolina MacKenzie said: “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.

“We were delighted Horse & Hound came on board this year. The awards are growing and the name update to the SEIB Yard of the Year Awards in association with Horse & Hound reflects this. The addition of a sixth category, the SEIB Competition Venue of the Year, designed to recognise and celebrate how much that goes into running a successful competition venue has definitely added the missing link to the awards.”

www.seib.co.uk #SEIBHere2Help #SEIBAwards

 

Full results:

 SEIB Giving

Oli Hilsdon Foundation and the Candlelighters Trust – £500 each.

Been There – £1,000 – Presented to – Tessa Peters and Rebecca Peters

Ruils Independent Living – £1,000 – Presented to – Cathy Maker and Carolyn Jones

The Maggie Oliver Foundation – £2,000 – Presented to – Maggie Oliver and Jennie Lucas

SeeSaw – £2,000 – Presented to – Judith Mulligan and Jane Elliott

Hope Rescue – £4,000 – Presented to – Emma Moore and Cheryl George

Barrow Farm RDA – £5,000 – Presented to – Anne Mitchell and Karen Lehner

Animal Free Research UK – £6,000 – Presented to – Carla Owen and Elise Flood

Mare & Foal Sanctuary – £7,000 – Presented to – Sarah Jane Williamson and Dawn Vincent

Highest placed small charity – The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund – £11,000

Presented to – David O’Donnell and Claire O’Donnell

Highest placed charity – World Horse Welfare – £12,000

Presented to – Roly Owers

 

Yard of the Year:

SEIB in association with H&H – RDA Centre of the Year Award 2022

Highly Commended – Penniwells RDA Centre 

Presented to – Sarah Healing (Centre Manager) and Trix Summerfield (Chairman)

Winner – Erme Valley RDA Centre

Presented to – Peggy Douglas (Founder, Senior Coach and Managing Director) and Ginni Crawley (Director)

 

SEIB in association with H&H – DIY Livery Yard of the Year Award 2022

Highly Commended – Whincover Farm Livery Stables

Presented to – Mark Downing and Nicola Downing (Proprietors)

Winner – Mill Farm DIY Livery Yard

Presented to – Robert Banwell and Julia Banwell (Proprietors)

 

SEIB in association with H&H – Small Riding School of the Year Award 2022

Highly Commended – Stonelea Riding School

Presented to – Hannah Hudson (Owner, Founder and BHS Accredited Professional Coach) and Lyn Hudson

Winner – Country Treks Equestrian Centre

Presented to – Stephanie Eddies Davies (Owner and Founder) and Ashleigh James (Manager)

 

SEIB in association with H&H – Large Riding School of the Year Award 2022

Highly Commended – Summerfield Stables – Horses in the Community

Presented to – Georgina Urwin and Linda Stupart

Winner – Mount Mascal Stables

Presented to – Alison Window (Owner and Director) and Tim Rosen (Husband and Operations Manager)

 

SEIB in association with H&H – Full Livery Yard of the Year Award 2022

Highly Commended – OSH Dressage

Presented to – Kate Humphrey-Lear (Owner, Trainer and Rider) and Leanne Field (Yard Manager and Rider)

Winner – Corvedale Equestrian

Presented to – Mark Walters and Nicholas Lawson

 

SEIB in association with H&H – Competition Venue of the Year Award 2022

Highly Commended – Chard Equestrian Centre

Presented to – Jane Gregory (Owner and Manager) and Sarah Johnson (Deputy Manager)

Highly Commended – Netherton Equestrian Centre

Presented to – Joanna Wilkie and David Wilkie (Owners)

Winner – Colraine Equestrian Centre

Presented to – Helena Ellery (General Manager) and Becky King