Corvedale Equestrian takes SEIB Full Livery Yard of the Year Award 2022

Corvedale equestrian in Bridgnorth fought off fierce competition to win the Full Livery Yard of the Year title in the SEIB Insurance Brokers, in association with Horse & Hound, Yard of the Year Awards at the SEIB Insurance Brokers Awards held at Eton College Dorney Lake, Berkshire on the 6th of July.

The SEIB Yard of the Year Awards, in association with Horse & Hound, 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 back-bone 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.

Mark Walters and Nicholas Lawson of Corvedale Equestrian attended the awards and went up on stage to collect the magnificent bronze horses head trophy from SEIB’s Chief Operating Officer Bipin Thaker, Horse & Hound’s Editor in Chief, Sarah Jenkins and SEIB’s Chief Executive Officer, Suzy Middleton.

Mark Walters said: “It was a genuine surprise to have been nominated by our wonderful liveries, they kept it very quiet amongst themselves! We went to the awards quietly hopeful and were thrilled to have won. Nicholas and I have had a real journey with getting the yard going over the last three years. We had 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.”

This is the first year the SEIB Yard of the Year Awards have run with the support of Horse & Hound. Editor in Chief at Horse & Hound, Sarah Jenkins said: “Over the past few years we have reported in Horse & Hound the challenges facing riding schools, competition centres and livery yards – all exacerbated by tough financial years during the pandemic. At any time, those who run and work at these centres put blood, sweat in tears into doing so, helping so many riders get the most out of their hobby or their sport, but never more so than since 2020. For those reasons I was happy to be approached by SEIB to be involved in this year's awards, in order to help celebrate and recognise those who really have gone above and beyond, in particularly difficult times, to do the very best for those riders who benefit from their expertise.

“The number and calibre of entries was very high, and it was heart-warming to see the appreciation and support behind every nomination, to read some incredible stories of triumph against the odds, and to learn just how much of a difference all of those yards shortlisted are making. Their teams should be hugely proud of the job they are doing and the service they are providing – their clients and participants clearly think a great deal of them."

Over 650 client nominations were made for RDA centres, livery yards, riding schools and – new for this year – competition venues throughout the country for the 2022 SEIB Yard of the Year Awards, in association with Horse & Hound. Those nominated underwent a rigorous judging panel to create a shortlist. Following a video submission for these shortlisted yards, a whittled down number of finalist yards attended the awards ceremony to find out the judges decision.

Panel judge Richard Ramsay said: “We are really seeing how as the future of the sport; riding schools are moving with the times. They are adapting and offering so much more. We have noticed a significant increase in the number of non-mounted activities on offer.”

SEIB’s Marketing Manager Nicolina MacKenzie said: “What a celebration of excellence in yards from Scotland right down to west Cornwall we have had. So many grateful customers, owners and riders have put time and thought into their nominations for the yards they love. To celebrate with and speak to our winners is so encouraging and long may they continue their hard work and the fabulous services they offer.

“We were delighted Horse & Hound came on board this year. The awards are growing and the name update to the SEIB Yard of the Year Awards in association with Horse & Hound reflects this. The addition of a sixth category, the SEIB Competition Venue of the Year, designed to recognise and celebrate how much that goes into running a successful competition venue has definitely added the missing link to the awards.”

www.seib.co.uk #SEIBHere2Help #SEIBAwards

ENDS

For further press information, please contact Jenny Viner at jennyviner@jennyviner.com or call 07766 731164.

Full results:

SEIB in association with H&H - RDA Centre of the Year Award 2022

Highly Commended – Penniwells RDA Centre

Presented to – Sarah Healing (Centre Manager) and Trix Summerfield (Chairman)

Winner – Erme Valley RDA Centre

Presented to – Peggy Douglas (Founder, Senior Coach and Managing Director) and Ginni Crawley (Director)

SEIB in association with H&H - DIY Livery Yard of the Year Award 2022

Highly Commended – Whincover Farm Livery Stables

Presented to – Mark Downing and Nicola Downing (Proprietors)

Winner – Mill Farm DIY Livery Yard

Presented to – Robert Banwell and Julia Banwell (Proprietors)

SEIB in association with H&H – Small Riding School of the Year Award 2022

Highly Commended – Stonelea Riding School

Presented to – Hannah Hudson (Owner, Founder and BHS Accredited Professional Coach) and Lyn Hudson

Winner – Country Treks Equestrian Centre

Presented to – Stephanie Eddies Davies (Owner and Founder) and Ashleigh James (Manager)

SEIB in association with H&H – Large Riding School of the Year Award 2022

Highly Commended – Summerfield Stables – Horses in the Community

Presented to – Georgina Urwin and Linda Stupart

Winner – Mount Mascal Stables

Presented to – Alison Window (Owner and Director) and Tim Rosen (Husband and Operations Manager)

SEIB in association with H&H – Full Livery Yard of the Year Award 2022

Highly Commended – OSH Dressage

Presented to – Kate Humphrey-Lear (Owner, Trainer and Rider) and Leanne Field (Yard Manager and Rider)

Winner – Corvedale Equestrian

Presented to – Mark Walters and Nicholas Lawson

SEIB in association with H&H – Competition Venue of the Year Award 2022

Highly Commended – Chard Equestrian Centre

Presented to - Jane Gregory (Owner and Manager) and Sarah Johnson (Deputy Manager)

Highly Commended – Netherton Equestrian Centre

Presented to – Joanna Wilkie and David Wilkie (Owners)

Winner – Colraine Equestrian Centre

Presented to – Helena Ellery (General Manager) and Becky King

For further press information please contact Jenny Viner, jenny@jennyviner.com

More information about SEIB Insurance Brokers:

Barry Fehler founded SEIB as a 17-year-old in 1963. He created his own insurance for one of his very successful show horses, found a company to underwrite it, and everything began from there.
SEIB has been responsible for introducing many aspects of today’s equestrian and equine cover now taken for granted – including high-value veterinary cover with a ceiling on each incident rather than an annual total; reasonable cost horsebox insurance; cover for the older horse and pony; loss of use and much more.
SEIB Insurance Brokers are general brokers but tend to specialise in various markets such as equine, funeral, private hire and charity.
SEIB is well known for their insurance for riding schools and livery yards, offering a wide range of cover for different situations and liability with competitive premiums.
The company, often through its ‘hands on’ experience, provides a complete range of insurance for the equestrian enthusiast.
SEIB provide liability insurance for many equine charities and are very competitive with cover for Freelance Instructors
SEIB has put a great deal back into the horse world through sponsorship and supporting equestrian events and activities
Call for a quote on 01708 850000 or please visit www.seib.co.uk.