New event is open to everyone equestrian.
Olympic rider Richard Davison and globally-renowned vet, author and equine biomechanics guru Dr Hilary Clayton are among a star-studded line-up of speakers for the first BETA Bits, Bridles & Saddlery Conference.
The open-to-all, two-day event, organised by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA), is on 28/29 October at the Holywell Conference Centre at Loughborough University.
It aims to support bridle, bit and saddle fitters while helping riders and equestrian professionals understand more about the role of saddlery and lorinery [bits and other metal equipment] in equine welfare.
Tickets are available now (see link below) with live stream options. There are trade stand opportunities for businesses.
Each day has breaks for refreshments, lunch and networking.
Day one – highlighting bits and bitting
The first day - for riders, equestrian professionals and all in the saddlery and lorinery trades - concentrates on lorinery, bits and bridling.
Guest speakers include Dr Madeleine Campbell on ethics in riding, the inside story of the horse’s mouth with equine dental technician Grant Chanter and Gillian Higgins on bitting from the inside out.
Double bridles are highlighted with current research from Diana Fisher, followed by ‘double trouble’ from international dressage riders Michael Eilberg and Richard Davison.
The afternoon session features horse to human communication with Olivia Turner, social media for businesses with Rhea Freeman and a day in the life of a bit fitter revealed by Charlotte Warman.
Diana Fisher returns to explore bitless bridles and FEI steward Dr Victoria Lewis looks at nosebands and the use of the new measuring gauge.
Day one closes with a debate and a chance to look around the trade stands.
Day two – saddles and saddle fitting
The second day is all about saddlery with emphasis on equine welfare and performance.
Gillian Higgins returns to consider saddling from the inside out, while Tamzin Furtado looks at the challenges presented by obese horses.
Jane Williams presents the latest saddlery research, Jan Birch asks if saddle fitting is an art or a science, and Nikki Newcombe tackles horse and rider fit problems from a saddle-maker’s perspective.
Mark Fisher will deliver his top ten tips for saddle fitting before Dr Hilary Clayton takes to the stage to talk about girth development and research.
The conference concludes after a discussion panel and a browse around the trade stands.
More details and tickets
The BETA Bits, Bridles & Saddlery Conference is supported by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers and the Worshipful Company of Loriners as gold sponsors, alongside the Society of Master Saddlers, Bliss of London and Zebra Products as silver sponsors, and Smart Saddles taking up bronze sponsorship.
Ticket bookings are open with early bird rates for one or two days, and live streaming options are available. Space is limited.
For more information about the speakers and timetable, and to book tickets, visit the BETA Conference booking link
To enquire about trade stand or sponsorship opportunities, contact agy@beta-uk.org
