Supporting British Equestrian Trade at SPOGA, Germany

Hugh Taylor; Prime Warden, Past Prime Warden Mark Maffey, and Catherine Morris; Trade, Equestrian, and Charities Advisor of Saddlers’ Company attended SPOGA in Cologne, Germany over the weekend. Being Europe’s largest Business to Business Equestrian Trade Fair, it provided the perfect opportunity to get a flavour for the position of Saddlery trade outside the UK.  Globally there has been a downturn in saddlery sales, but it was interesting to see some companies are recovering.

Saddlery manufacture is increasingly a truly global business and being British made may not always continue to be such a positive differentiator. The view is that successful British Saddlery manufacturers are going to have to innovate especially in the area of bespoke Saddlery, offer the best service, incorporate current research and best practice in saddlery design and fitting protocols to ensure horse and rider wellbeing, and create their point of difference through marketing and branding. There are some tough challenges on the horizons. Saddlers’ Company will continue to support British Saddlery to ensure there is a thriving industry in the future.