News from Abbeyview Equine, and Abbeyview Equine in the news!

Sweet Wall has had a website for quite a few years, but it was hosted and updated by the company that designed it. This could be very cumbersome, as proofs might come when you were away an it could take up to a week to effect changes.

With PagePlay changes are done by me when I want to do them, be it 3am! I can also access and update the site through my iPhone making the new site as current as possible. The initial build took me approximately 4 hours over two evenings, so was certainly no hardship and the result looks clean and professional.

PagePlay's service and assistance has been simple to use and efficient and I look forward to a long and happy relationship with them.

Check out the new Sweet Wall Stud website.

The next Equestrian TweetUp will be crosscountry day at the Badminton Horse Trials (Sunday 2nd May 2010) 2pm, in-front of the Mark Todd big screen!

See you there!

During an action-packed BETA 2010, Abbeyview Equine ran a competition for one of their stand's visitors to win a free PagePlay setup and year's subscription.

Entrants had to answer the question “Which of the following involves someone gaining access to your computer files illegally?” with the right answer being “Hacking”. Sarah Case of the London branch of the Women's Farmers Union (WFU) was one of those with the right answer and after being drawn at random on the last day was awarded with her prize.

BETA 2010 was another great show for Equestrian web experts, Abbeyview. Director Liam Killen said, “vistors with a clear view of what they wanted from the show were coming to the stand and requesting their 60 second PagePlay demo to see for themselves just how useful the system could be for them.”

No time was wasted following the show in getting the new site up and running. One of the benefits of Abbeyview's PagePlay tool is the speed of setup which can be achieved. Commenting on the experience, winner Sarah Chase said: “Abbeyview and the PagePlay team got to work on our web site, literally, within a few hours of contacting them! They were attentive to every detail and seemed to operate seamlessly on their end. The initial design was complete in under 24-hours and we had a workable, visible page ready to show to the world.

“Once I had the link to the admin section, I was able to begin uploading content immediately. Abbeyview and PagePlay took the initiative to set up some of the initial content, and then we were free to upload text and the initial photos. There's always a bit of a learning curve, but the directions and process is so simple that anyone can be operating and updating their own web site within just a few minutes, without being a "web guru."

“We're currently trying to update the web site daily. It really only takes a few minutes, so it's something that can be done while having your morning coffee! As the WFU London branch progresses, we'll be appointing to or three official Admins for the site, who will be charged with updating and uploading all the content. Also, the Events Committee will play a special role in making sure the Events section always has the latest details and photos. Same with the Press Centre ... as our campaigns push forward this year, we find it vital that everyone stay informed and that all of the news releases, quotes and white papers are readily available.

“While Abbeyview and PagePlay offer wonderful e-mail marketing services of their own, we happen to use another service. That said, we were very happy to learn that with the format of this web page, we can still integrate our outside email campaign service. I think this enhances Abbeyview rather than detracts from it, because it shows that they can offer complimentary services, but are not exclusive. Ultimately, this make Abbeyview very easy and pleasant to deal and work with ... they have your best interest in mind.”

It's also a really exciting time for WFU's new London branch, Sarah commented, "The WFU chose to launch a London Branch in order to effectively bridge the rural-to-urban divide and to better inform and educate those in urban areas about farming, food, the countryside and the rural way of life.”

Lady Apsley, a much credited and nationally-famed campaigner for farming issues, became the honorary spokeswoman for the WFU's new London Branch on Friday 12th March, during a formal ceremony at the Farmer's Club in Whitehall.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting, Lady Apsley rallied the crowd saying , "While the work on the ground and in the countryside is being completed on a day to day basis by our dedicated farmers, it is our duty as women to get behind them and enliven a nation. To truly speak for Britain and it's food production, and to get the job done of converting consumers into a healthier and more patriotic way of life, which includes food shopping, as well as appreciating the countryside and it's issues."

For more information on the WFU London branch go to the London branch of the Womens' Food & Farming Union website

The Irish Draught Horse Society of Northern Ireland (IDSH NI) has chosen Abbeyview Equine for their new website for their annual Stallion Covering Auction. The site will showcase the 20 stallions whose covers have been kindly donated by their owners. They include Registered Irish Draught stallions, Irish and foreign sports horses.

Believing the Irish Draught is an integral and valuable part of the Irish Sport Horse industry, IDHS NI represents the interests of breeders, producers and enthusiasts located in Northern Ireland. 
They work closely with the Irish Draught Horse Breeders Association and share their objectives.

The Stallion Covering Auction is a vital fund raiser and provides assistance to local charities. The Riding for the Disabled Association are this year's chosen charity.

The initiative is applauded throughout the equine community and beyond.

Open to breeders across the UK and Ireland, the auction will be conducted by sealed bid and closes on 10th April 2010. For more information visit the Irish Draught Horse Society (NI) website

BETA International 2010 hit the peak of social networking when it played host to the first equestrian TweetUp, with magazine editors, PR and marketing professionals, and key industry movers gathering to meet fellow Twitter members.

The event was organised by ourselves - an online marketing company, if you hadn't already guessed - and promoted on Twitter, with account holders spreading the word among their own followers.

“I decided to hold the world’s first equestrian TweetUp to demonstrate how Twitter can be a useful tool for an equine organisation of any size and to show that the equestrian community on Twitter is growing,” said director Liam Killen.

Claire Thomas, commercial manager of BETA International organiser EMC, added: “We use social networking sites as an additional form of promotion for the trade fair and are extremely keen to inform and engage with our exhibitors and visitors in a wide range of media.”

Updates have informed BETA that suggestions of the level of the HORSE tax have been as high as £100 per horse, per year. As part of the BHIC, discussions have already been held with the conservative party as indications have been given that this initiative will be carried through into the new government, in some shape.

It is vital that we get as many people as possible to sign the petition and that we spread the word about the campaign far and wide amongst customers and consumers.

Please don’t forget to direct people to the link to the Rethink the Horse Tax petition to the Prime Minister.

One year ago today Abbeyview Equine was born. The past year has been an exciting challenge for us and we're so pleased with the enthusiasm the equine community has for PagePlay not just in the UK and Ireland but across the world - we knew you'd love it! Thanks so much - here's to many more!

Liam, Chris & Harry

PagePlay is one of three companies selected to join the NEM EnterPrize All Stars programme & is in the final three for a high growth award!

Our fingers and toes are crossed for Chris and Harry!

The new abbeyviewequine.com has been assembled and is now live, bursting with information about our award-winning products and services. It looks really pretty too!

The new site is hoped to bring much needed consistency to all of our content. We had grown so rapidly from our launch last October - that we had a severe case of 'physician, heal thyself' when it came to our own site!

We hope you like it!

We now offer a 50% discount on PagePlay subscriptions to charities and social enterprises with an annual turnover of less than £50k.

Zes paardenproducten wonnen deze week een innovatieprijs tijdens ‘s werelds belangrijkste hippische vakbeurs BETA International. Daarnaast kregen een aantal paardenproducten een eervolle vermelding. BETA International is een vakbeurs waarbij hippische groothandels elk jaar hun nieuwste paardensportproducten lanceren. Deze producten zijn binnenkort verkrijgbaar in de winkels. BETA International vindt van 15 tot en met 17 februari plaats in het Britse Birmingham.

- Harnachement: beenkappen voor over bandages of peesbeschermers van Golly Galoshes
- Kleding: waterdichte jas van Rambo
- Voeding en supplementen: ontwormingstabletten Equimax Tabs van Virbac Animal Health
- Verzorgingsproducten: Elim-a-Net van Parell Products, een hooinet dat (te) snelle voeropname voorkomt
- Veiligheid: balanshulp RS-Tor Rider Security Aid van Equiline
- Overig: websitebouwer Abbeyview Equine

De jury van de Innovation Awards bestond uit een zestal vakbekwame personen uit de paardenwereld, namelijk: bondscoach van het Britse eventing team Yogi Breisner, voedingsdeskundige Catherine Dunett, fysiotherapeut Kate Rees, hoefsmid David Gill, zadelmaker Mike Norton en internationaal dressuurruiter Pammy Hutton.

De genomineerde paardensportartikelen kwamen in de afgelopen twaalf maanden op de markt. De winnende producten in de verschillende categorieën zijn: