Join us for a dip into ETN’s archives.
In each issue of ETN’s print magazine, we turn back the pages and revisit happenings in the equestrian trade from five, ten, 20 and 30 years ago.
Here’s a selection from Decembers past:
Five years ago…
In December 2020, ETN reported:
- American businesswoman Donna Noce Colaco became the new chairman of the board at UK based hay steamer specialist Haygain. Donna was also a director at Sundance Holdings, the lifestyle retailer founded by the film star Robert Redford.
- Argentinian saddle-maker Ruiz Diaz announced it was to distribute its PDS and Pessoa saddles directly to saddle fitters and retailers. The brands had previously been distributed in the UK by Fieldhouse Riding Equipment.
- Equestrian publisher DJ Murphy was acquired by Zoe Cannon and Abi Cannon who because managing director and commercial director respectively. The sisters had worked for the publisher of Horse&Rider and PONY magazines for nearly 20 years.
- BETA’s executive director Claire Williams was elected as convenor of the European riding hat standard committee – and pledged that its work on equestrian safety would continue as usual following Brexit.
Ten years ago…
In December 2015, ETN reported:
- Aerborn Equestrian, the Nottingham based company behind one of the best-known brands in the equestrian world, went into liquidation. Aerborn had been run by many years by the late John McGowan, then it was acquired by Tremayne Roden in 2008.
- As winter approached…Battles launched a new line in faux-fur lined half chaps. And retailer R&R Country was offering while-you-wait clipper blade sharpening.
- Members of the trade were welcomed to an open day at Vale Brothers’ new multi-brand factory in Walsall. On a guided tour with managing director Peter Wilkes, the visitors saw craftsmen at work on Harry Dabbs and Jeffries saddles, Edward Goddard whips, Equerry grooming brushes and the KBF99 antibacterial range.
- Reports emerged that Olympia Exhibition Centre was on the market for £300 million. The organisers of the famous Christmas horse show sought to ease fears that its future was threatened by the sale of the west London venue.
20 years ago…
In December 2005, ETN reported:
- Retailer Derby House officially opened its 10,000 sq ft store in Wrightlington, Lancashire. It was built on a quadrangle with an open central courtyard to display show jumps and stable yard products.
- Equestrian book publisher Kenilworth Press was acquired by Quiller Publishing. Kenilworth’s owners David and Dee Blunt were to retire after running the business for 15 years.
- BETA successfully lobbied to keep retailers’ rights to sell and prescribe horse wormers – something that had been threatened under revised Veterinary Medicines Regulations. There was, however, the prospect of tougher qualifications for SQPs (people qualified to prescribe and sell wormers), including sitting an exam.
- Sales of equestrian programmes on DVD accounted for 75% of sales, up from 25% the previous year. Equestrian Vision’s Jamie Hawksfield told ETN. “People are replacing worn out video machines with DVD players.”
30 years ago…
In December 1995, ETN reported:
- Huddersfield based rug manufacturer Masta was acquired by the Stylo group of companies. Masta’s founder, Ray Janion, was to stay with the company under a two-year contract.
- In product news, A-Plus (UK) was importing compact bales of lucerne (alfalfa) from South Africa. And Cartequine, a new supplement made from shark cartilage, was marketed as “the most important bone and joint product for horses this century.”
- Staff at J W Wilkinson’s Kendal horse clothing factory scooped £72,000 on the National Lottery.
- Testing of a new humane cushioned race whip was not going well… On an outing at Chepstow, jockey Graham Bradley tried it – only for it to break in half and mark the horse.
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