Excellence rewarded in the SEIB Yard of the Year Awards 2023

The fifth running of the SEIB Yard of the Year Awards 2023 in association with British Equestrian and Horse & Hound celebrated the dedication and expertise of a range of top yards across the country. The winners and runners-up in each of the six categories were presented with their prizes at the SEIB Awards held on 4th July 2023 at Dorney Lake, Berkshire. The SEIB Awards were an extra special occasion this year as SEIB reaching the milestone of 60 years in business was also celebrated.

Over 920 nominations were made for yards, riding schools and RDA centres throughout the country for the 2023 SEIB Yard of the Year Awards, in association with British Equestrian and Horse & Hound.  Those nominated underwent a rigorous judging panel including a video submission before a shortlist was drawn up.

LiveryList were thrilled to be part of the event and the awards process with founder Cheryl Johns taking her place on the judging panel for all categories of the Yard of the Year Awards, helping whittle down hundreds of nominations to a shortlist, and the eventual winners and finalists.

Cheryl Johns at the awards with Ali Dane (Hurston Dressage), Kate Venue-Bishop (Beechwood Equestrian), Kate Jackson (Swarthdale Stables) and Julia and Rober Banwell (Mill Farm)

This is the first year the Yard of the Year Awards have run with the support of British Equestrian. Head of Communications at British Equestrian, Winnie Murphy said: “It’s been a privilege to be involved with the SEIB Yard of the Year Awards, so thank you to the SEIB team for their vision and support. Learning more about the fantastic work going on across our industry, the dedication involved and the communities the yards create is truly inspiring. Congratulations to all who were involved and especially our winners who certainly shone through.”

Judges included Mr Richard Ramsay (Team Ramsay Horton), Sarah Jenkins (Horse & Hound), Winnie Murphy (British Equestrian) Emma Bedford (Your Horse Live), Petra Ingram (Horseworld) and Cheryl Johns (Livery List). 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.”

Editor in Chief at Horse & Hound, Sarah Jenkins said: “Horse & Hound is happy to support these awards again in 2023, such is the support for those yards nominated. It is a great opportunity to recognise excellence in the industry and client appreciation of all the hard work and business acumen that goes in to running a truly successful yard. It is also wonderful to see what a difference each of those yards nominated is making to the lives of riders within their communities. I hope all those nominated are rightly proud of the positive impact they have had – and huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners.”

The results for each of the six Yard of the Year categories is below:

Full results

DIY Livery Yard of the Year Award 2023

Winner: Mill Farm DIY Livery Yard

Runner Up: Swarthdale Stables

Full Livery Yard of the Year Award 2023

Winner: Hurston Dressage and Eventing

Runner Up: Nodwood House

Small Riding School of the Year Award 2023

Winner: Hemps Green Riding Stables

Runner Up: Sweetlands Farm

Large Riding School of the Year Award 2023

Winner: Pinkmead Equestrian Centre

Runner Up: Rein and Shine Equestrian

RDA Centre of the Year Award 2023

Winner: Arrow Equestrian

Runner Up: Gordong Group RDA

Competition Venue of the Year Award 2023

Winner: Chard Equestrian Centre

Runner Up: Beechwood Equestrian

SEIB’s Marketing and Events Manager Nicolina MacKenzie said: “What a celebration of excellence in yards from Scotland through to Kent 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 at this worrying time when many riding schools are facing closure.

“We were delighted to welcome the support of British Equestrian this year and to have Horse & Hound on board for the second time. The awards are growing and this extra support from leading industry names reflects this.”

Giving to others is embedded in the culture of SEIB. From supporting grass roots competition that gives opportunities to amateur riders that they could only otherwise dream about, right through to the company’s unwavering loyalty to promoting nationwide equine welfare, giving to charity and supporting the funeral industry, SEIB are leading the way within the markets they operate.