Aivly, Tack Shop and Country Store

Online retailer Aivly.com helped the British Equestrian Federation as it joined a host of sporting disciplines including BMX and Badminton to raise money for Sport Relief at Westfield Stratford City on 24-25th March 2012.

With a donation to Sport Relief in return for a chance to experience the feel of riding aboard Herbert the mechanical horse, so £950.00 was raised over the weekend.

David Gadsby, London representative of the British Equestrian Federation said, “The adjustable riding hats donated to us by Aivly.com for use during interactive sessions such as this were essential to the success of the event and will no doubt be used time and time again during events leading up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.”

Aivly’s Sheila Lister said, “We are thrilled to hear the weekend was such a success and the hats proved valuable.  We also offer a hat-fitting service to our in store customers and stock styles suitable for all disciplines or specifically designed for dressage, show jumping and cross-country.”

Myf Ryan, General Marketing Manager, Westfield UK said, “It was wonderful to see our shoppers interacting with the British Equestrian Federation, giving generously and ‘having a go’ – many for the first time.”

Step upstairs at Aivly Country Store and discover a divine new competition clothing display to delight all equestrian enthusiasts.  Catering for numerous disciplines, the selection includes beautiful dressage tail coats, the latest slimline dressage and showing hats, cross-country body protectors to all the basics in numerous sizes.  And, if you can’t find what you need for your equestrian sport – Aivly will order in specific items for you.  Visit Aivly Country Store, Ringwood, BH24 3EA, www.aivly.com or call to order 01425 472341.

Aivly Country Store has been named as a runner up in the annual BETA/SEIB Retailer of the Year Award, reaching the final five from over 4000 nominations nationwide. With nominations from customers, the award is one of the most coveted from the industry’s equivalent of the ‘Oscar’s’. 

Owner, Sheila Lister, says, “It’s a real honour to have the hard work of everyone at Aivly recognized by our customers and for them to take the trouble to nominate us for this national award.”

Indeed this was the fourth time for Aivly Country Store, founded just 10 years ago, to be be nominated for the award, with customers’ describing Aivly as an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of tempting products; departments including country clothing to farm animal feeds and fencing, pet and poultry supplies, gardening tools and specialist equestrian equipment.

Sheila continues, “Our ethos is to source the best quality products in a range of budgets and in doing so I hope we are able to address not just the essential needs of our customers but also their desires”,

BETA executive director Claire Williams, adds, “Aivly is one of only 450 tack shops and feed merchants across the UK are entitled to display the BETA logo, indicating their retail membership of the trade association and that they are properly run businesses offering reliable advice.”

Sheila adds, “While this is a national award, we feel our nomination is undoubtedly thanks to the local community, many of whom we meet in store, and this makes us feel all the more valued so our thanks go again to those who nominated us.”

Mary King made a very special guest appearance at the annual Aivly Tack Shop and Country Store Open Day, Ringwood, Hampshire on Saturday 19th November.

A veteran of five Olympics Mary, who celebrated her 50th birthday this year, has just completed possibly her most successful season to date – including scooping the $150,000 (approx £95,000) HSBC FEI Classics.

Always smiling and well aware of the highs and lows eventing brings, Mary has broken her neck, lost horses in competition, and now must cope with spectator nerves too as her daughter, Emily, 15, reaches international ranks -  Emily riding for the British squad at the Junior European Championships this year.

Travelling from her Devon home, Mary entertained the approximate 250-strong crowd at Aivly Tack Shop’s spacious store with anecdotes from her past and explaining just how she worked her way from groveling to ride other people’s ponies to becoming a gold medallist.

At a pivotal point in her early career, Mary was offered a significant sum for her home-produced Diver’s Rock but declined saying, “I decided I’d rather be famous than rich!”
On then being placed 7th at her first Badminton International Horse Trials, often regarded as the World’s toughest competition, Mary was brought back down to earth when a local lady, unaware of the achievement, offered, “Oh never mind, dear, hopefully you’ll do better next time!”

Mary answered questions from Aivly’s audience and said, “It was great to have such an enthusiastic crowd of horse lovers”; queues extending across the showroom.

Sam Whiteford, representing Mary’s sponsor, Ariat Clothing & Footwear, joked, “We might have to bring security next time”, and, Sheila Lister, owner of Aivly Tack Shop & Country Store remarked, “Mary obviously has got a very big fan club and it was great to be able to give something back to our customers.”

Indeed, Aivly offered a free hog roast and there were numerous experts on hand to offer advice, samples, discounts and giveaways.

Mary concluded the day, announcing the competition winners’ names for various prize draws valued at several hundred pounds.

We are hosting our annual open day on Saturday 19th November and are very excited to announce that top British Event Rider Mary King will be visiting on the day between 2pm and 4pm.
Specialists will be on hand to offer expert advice on choosing the right products for you and your horse including:
Sam from Ariat will be able to advise and fit footwear and legwear to your requirements. (Buy any pair of Ariat boots between now and the Open Day and you will automatically be entered into a prize draw for a pair of Ariat Grasmere boots) winner to be announced on the day.
Roger from Rodney Powell will be available to check you have the right body protector and assist with fitting and advising of the most suitable one for you.
Meet Mike from Horseware and decide which rug your horse needs to keep the winter weather at bay. (Buy any Horseware rug before the Open Day and be entered into the prize draw for a Horseware Rhino Rug) winner to be announced on the day.
Also on display with special offers on the day will be rugs from Chelsea Equestrian, Mark Todd and Weatherbeeta.
Questions on feeding, supplements or worming?
Ask one of the specialists from Badminton Horse Feeds, NAF or Pfizer to decide which of the extensive range of products available at Aivly are best for your horse.
Everyone will be welcome on the day to meet Mary King, talk to the professionals and enjoy the Hog Roast.

A new addition to the BEDMAX range, LITTLEMAX shavings are designed specifically for horse owners who prefer a small flake shaving.
LITTLEMAX is dust free, very durable and absorbent and easy to use.
This is a very high quality, fine horse bedding with a light appearance.
LITTLEMAX is cut specifically for shavings and not as a bi-product.
LITTLEMAX shavings offer, minimal dust and maximum absorbency, comfort and protection.