( READER STORY ) ‘A Real Aladdins Cave’ CHN’s Clare Tobin Chats to Kate Smith of Hertford Horse Bits
Kate Smith & Oreo
Famed locally for its friendly, professional service, the shop is definitely worth a visit but give yourself plenty of time, there's so much to see.
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Started 20 years ago and then taken over by Kate Smith and her team 3 years ago, the shop goes from strength to strength. Kate an enthusiastic rider and well known and liked local figure chatted to us.
Kate, tell us a bit about yourself, when did you start riding? I’ve been riding for most of my life thanks to my mum. As soon as i could walk, I was riding! I had lessons at a local riding school, then we took the plunge and loaned my first pony. His name was Magic, a little bay welsh pony with 4 big white socks. He was a little super star and taught me everything I know to this day.
You now have the beautiful Oreo, what do you and he get up to? Oreo is my current pony, he's 14.2 Dun Connemara that I love to bits. We didn't get off to the best of starts; I took a tumble while out at a dressage competition and I ended up in hospital. We've worked very hard the past 3 years with my amazing instructor Lisa Street, and he has turned into something really special. He is a great all rounder, but showing is what we love doing and we're working towards workers at the end of the year.
How did you come to work in the the business? I bought the business in 2016, but the business itself has been going for 20+ years.
Co-worker Katie and her horse Paddy
ertford Horse Bits is oſten referred to by its loyal customers as an "Aladdins Cave" for the Equestrian, and it certainly seems to cater for everything you could need or want.
Co-worker Charlotte and her horse Ginge
I worked with the previous owners for around 8 years doing some shop work and helping with the show unit. I've always enjoyed working in retail as I love meeting/chatting to customers. I’ve met so many lovely people and most of them I can now call my good friends. When it came to the previous owners selling we snapped the business up and I couldn't wait to get started to make it my own. I have enjoyed every second of it and look forward to many more years.
What is the most important factor for you in choosing what to stock in the shop? Knowing what to stock is knowing what people are going to like. It is a tricky one as we order a year in advance, so thinking ahead of fashion is key. I think also having your own horse helps as you are keeping up with what is new and what is trending. The big thing at the moment is still the Matchy Matchy and the riding tights, they fly out the door.
We stock LeMieux, Omega Supplements, Weatherbeeta, Dublin, Woof Wear, Shires, Toggi, Champion, Premier Equine, Charles Owen, Noble Outfitters, HKM, Red Gorilla, Carr & Day & Martin, Equiture, MP Gloss, Mountain Horse, KM Elite, Equine America and that's just a few.. .
Who are the people that come into the shop? I'll just start by saying we have the best customers EVER. We have a range of people that walk through the door, the controlled customer who comes in for what they need and the excited customer who buys whatever they like. I love meeting everyone that come through the door and normally they end up staying nothing less than 30 mins as we always end up chatting. I’ve met some
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SUMMER SPECIAL 2019
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