Royal visit is icing on the cake for BETA International 2020


show’s visitors after being introduced to exhibitors on a tour of the halls.


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“I do hope coming here helps you to focus on what to do, perhaps do it better and see where the new ideas are coming from, and what people’s expectations are,” she said. “Many of you are small- to medium-size enterprises and that adds its own challenge. Staying in touch through BETA, its membership and this show, I hope, makes life a little bit easier.


“The show has played a real role in developing new businesses and helping established ones to maintain their position, not just nationally, but internationally. It is still fundamentally important to you as a sector.” Following the Princess Royal’s speech, BETA International organiser Claire Thomas presented her with a donation for the Riding for the Disabled Association, of which she is president.


Meanwhile, plans were announced for the show to move to NAEC Stoneleigh, in Warwickshire, next year, bringing a frisson of excitement and anticipation to the halls. News of the relocation certainly proved a talking point – but did not detract from the business and buying taking place at BETA International 2020.


ETA International ended its final year at the NEC, Birmingham, on a high with a visit from Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, who addressed the


Hundreds of new products – many unveiled for the very first time – took the limelight, enjoying a centre-stage position and providing a powerful attraction for retailers keen to source new stock and gather ideas and inspiration. Many of the brightest and best were highlighted in the Shires Equestrian New Product Gallery and the Pet Product Gallery, a showcase of the pet world’s finest, introduced to the show for 2020. ITV newscaster Alastair Stewart was back in the halls as the popular host of Talking Business, BETA International's thought-provoking industry debate on Sunday at The Charles Owen Spotlight. This year's panellists were Abbey England managing director Richard Brown, Shires Equestrian joint managing director Marcus Cridland, Redpin Publishing commercial director Andy Haines, Highfield Equestrian and Online for Equine director Victoria Highfield and Pet n Pony managing director Chris Hughes.


Discussing the changing dynamics of the retail environment, Victoria noticed the consumer market being more “price driven”, while Chris said it was important to “create an experience in-store” to fight back against falling footfall and Marcus added: “Independent retailers have always been the lifeblood of our industry.” All the panellists agreed on the need to be eco- conscious. “We use as little plastic as we can because that’s a sustainable model that we as a family wish to uphold,” said Richard. Andy recognised that posting magazines in a paper envelope, rather than plastic, was more expensive but necessary.


Retailers in the audience also spoke about their attempts to be responsible and respond to customers’ increasing demands to operate in an eco-friendly way. Another attraction at The Charles Owen Spotlight was An Audience with Tom MacGuinness, in which the Horseware Ireland founder spoke about his new-found passion as an endurance rider and his preparations for this year’s FEI World Championship in Italy. “Endurance is the most noble of all equestrian disciplines,” he said. “That’s what a horse was designed to do, to take you from A to B.” The Spotlight remained busy throughout the show, with a full programme of presentations – and the Fashion Show, which took place three times daily on Sunday and Monday, and twice on Tuesday.


Catwalk cool was hot gossip as Victoria Thomas, of Red Ice Productions, put rider wear and country clothing through its paces. A professional dancer, Victoria brought a tantalising twist to the shows with her dancing models, racy dance routines and a music playlist set to keep your toes tapping for weeks.


Buyers pulled up their seats to take in the view as some of the biggest names in the business – Covalliero, Bucas, GoLeyGo, Rupert & Buckley, Percussion, HKM, Hy Equestrian, Coldstream, My LeMieux, Gallop Equestrian, USG Germany, Tekna and Horseware Ireland – strutted their stuff before a captivated audience.


New for 2020 was the Seminar Theatre, with a vibrant collection of sessions, including AMTRA-accredited companion animal and equine CPD modules for SQPS.


58 February/Marach 2020 For the latest news visit www.centralhorsenews.co.uk


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