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Mark Walters and Nicholas Lawson of Corvedale Equestrian won Full Livery Yard of the Year ©Trevor Meeks
Judges were impressed by the yards and centres winning the top prizes at last week’s ceremony, who were “moving with the times” in order secure the future of equestrian sport at grassroots level
The SEIB Yard of the Year Awards 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 backbone 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.
Over 650 nominations were made for RDA centres, livery yards, riding schools and competition venues throughout the country for the 2022 SEIB Yard of the Year Awards. Those nominated underwent a rigorous judging panel to create a shortlist. Then, following a video submission for these shortlisted yards, a whittled down number of finalists attended the awards ceremony to find out the judges’ decision.
Panel judge Richard Ramsay was particularly impressed by the calibre of those forward this year. “We are really seeing how as the future of the sport, riding schools are moving with the times,” he said. “They are adapting and offering so much more. We have noticed a significant increase in the number of non-mounted activities on offer.”
The RDA Centre of the Year went to Erme Valley RDA Centre. The centre’s founder, senior coach and managing director, Peggy Douglas, and director, Ginni Crawley, attended the awards and went up on stage to collect the magnificent bronze horses head trophy.
South Devon-based Peggy summed up Erme Valley’s win in the RDA Centre of the Year Award: “It is fantastic, much appreciated support. 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 it.”
Mill Farm DIY Livery Yard in Somerset won the DIY Centre of the Year. The award was collected by proprietors Robert and Julia Banwell. Speaking afterwards, Julia said: “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.”
“This is just magic!” said owner and founder of the Small Riding School of the Year, Stephanie Eddies-Davies of Country Treks Equestrian Centre, Kidderminster. She came on stage accompanied by manager, Ashleigh James, to collect the wonderful trophy. “We have been running for 34 years now and to get this recognition is such a boost for us, our staff and our customers. It feels like we are finally reaping the benefits of the blood, sweat and tears we have put in over the years.”
The Large Riding School of the Year trophy went home to Bexley-based Mount Mascal Stables. Proprietor, Alison Window, said: “This award is a huge achievement for us. Riding schools are the grassroots of the sport and key to the industry, and we are incredibly proud to be recognised for the work, services and products offered at 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’. 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 heroes and make it all possible.”
It was a “genuine surprise” when ultimate winners of the Full Livery Yard of the Year, Mark Walters and Nicholas Lawson of Corvedale Equestrian, learned that they’d been nominated for this year’s awards, Mark explaining that the liveries had done an exceptional job keeping it a secret.
“We went to the awards quietly hopeful, and we’re thrilled to have won,” Mark explained. “Nicholas and I have had a real journey with getting the yard going over the last three years. We’d 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 Competition Venue of the Year Award went to Colraine Equestrian Centre in Truro. Helena Ellery, general manager of the centre, collected the award with Becky King on behalf of owner, Michael Gadsdon who was unable to be there on the day. Helena explained how she and Becky give up time with their young families each weekend to see to it that competition days run as smoothly as possible – and was understandably thrilled at the recognition of their efforts.
“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,” Helena said, adding that they’re now planning to use a rare free weekend at the end of July to put on a celebratory show – likely arena eventing – in honour of those who’d nominated them, with SEIB Competition Venue of the Year sashes to the lucky winners. “We try to adapt and put on new things. Last year we had our first Halloween fun show and there is demand for loose jumping clinics and stallion parades.”
Full results were as followed…
RDA Centre of the Year
- Winner Erme Valley RDA Centre
- Highly commended Penniwells RDA Centre
DIY Livery Yard of the Year
- Winner Mill Farm DIY Livery Yard
- Highly commended Whincover Farm Livery Stables
Small Riding School of the Year
- Winner Country Treks Equestrian Centre
- Highly commended Stonelea Riding School
Large Riding School of the Year
- Winner Mount Mascal Stables
- Highly commended Summerfield Stables – Horses in the Community
Full Livery Yard of the Year
- Winner Corvedale Equestrian
- Highly commended OSH Dressage
Competition Venue of the Year
- Winner Colraine Equestrian Centre
- Highly commended Chard Equestrian Centre
- Highly commended Netherton Equestrian Centre
For more information about the SEIB Yard of the Year Awards, visit seib.co.uk/yard-awards/
