Celebrating livery yards and riding schools after tough year
FOLLOWING THE success of last year’s inaugural event, the SEIB Insurance Brokers Livery Yard and Riding School of the Year awards will be running again this year.
And, having faced a year of unprecedented challenges, organisers said this year’s awards will celebrate how many yards have overcome adversity through the pandemic.
Yards and riding schools can be nominated for five categories, covering large and small riding schools, full and DIY livery yards along with a section for best riding for the disabled riding school.
More than 1,400 entries were received last year and Nicolina Mackenzie, from SEIB, said the aim was to “recognise and highlight” professionalism, skill and commitment, particularly in these challenging times.
She said: “We know that there are many livery yards and riding schools that provide an outstanding service and we hope the 2021 SEIB Livery Yard and Riding School of the Year awards will provide a real boost and an opportunity for a feelgood event.”
Once nominations have closed in March, a panel of judges will draw up a short list which they will then visit – guidelines allowing – to decide the winners.
The awards will be decided on teaching, horse care, marketing and business acumen, with judges also be taking into account the yard atmosphere along with the help and support offered to clients.
All the shortlisted yards will be invited to the awards ceremony in June where the winners will be announced with presentations made by a celebrity.
Last year’s ceremony was held in January, just before the first Covid-19 lockdown, and Olympic event rider Gemma Tattersall presented the winners’ trophies.
Nominations can be made at the SEIB website and close on March 16. Each nominator will be entered for a prize draw to win two tickets for the award ceremony in June.