Exhibitors at BETA International 2018 have lined up some special events, launches and celeb visitors on their stands to make the trade fair experience truly memorable. Here are just some of the exciting activities...

ABBEY ENGLAND features two Ask the Experts talks – on Leather and Its Uses, with Richard Farrow and a Pittards representative, on Sunday at 10.30am and Monday at 3pm, and on Saddlery Training and the State of UK Production – a Bright View of the Future, with Mark Romain and Patrick Burns, on Sunday at 3pm and Monday at 10.30am. G10.1

BETA is celebrating its 40th anniversary with cupcakes and glasses of bubbly, which will be served to visitors on its stand during the course of the show. G7.1

BRANSBY HORSES, BETA International 2018’s chosen charity, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, with plans for an exhibition running from February to November and Proms in the Paddock in June, as well as VIP Days in July. E8.3

DANISH DESIGN PET PRODUCTS marks its 30th anniversary with a competition for visitors to its stand to win a luxury hamper. Q7.1

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS is running its famous prize draw giving retailers a chance to take home thousands of pounds worth of products for their stores – just by bringing along their business cards to the stand. The Yorkshire Shepherdess visits the ETN stand on Monday at 2.30pm to sign copies of her best-selling autobiographies. Q1.1

HORSE FIRST will be serving glasses of fizz to mark its 10th anniversary. H1.1

JEREMY RUDGE SADDLERY welcomes sponsored para-dressage rider Sophie Christiansen to its stand on Monday – when she will also be interviewed in The Charles Owen Hub at 3pm. K10.2

NEUE SCHULE is joined by Teddy the Shetland at its stand on Sunday to show off the company’s new pony bit range and meet and greet his fans. D2.1

RED GORILLA is fundraising on its stand throughout BETA International to support the release of gorillas back into their natural habitat as part of a scheme to support the Aspinall Foundation. Life-size sculpture Red-G will be giving trade fair visitors a warm welcome. C7.1

The SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS is running daily competitions for apprentices and trainees on all three days of the trade fair, with prize-giving on the Fashion Show stage on Sunday during the BETA International award presentations starting at 5.15pm, then in the competition area next to the SMS stand on Monday at 4.30pm and Tuesday at 2.30pm. Sunday’s competition, to make a cob-size pair of cheeks with hook studs, is open to Millennium and Saddlery Scheme apprentices. Monday’s competition, to make a raised brow band, is open to second-year Capel Manor College students. Tuesday’s competition, to make an item to be announced on the day, is open to first-year Capel Manor College students. In addition, the President’s Choice class of the SMS’s National Saddlery Competition – with the theme of boys’ toys – will be on display and open to judging by trade fair visitors in the competition area. J11.1

STIERNA EQUESTRIAN SPORTSWEAR welcomes to its stand event rider and brand ambassador Izzy Taylor on Sunday. M8.1

THE VIP VERY IMPORTANT PAD is joined by two of its brand ambassadors, Australian Olympic team medal winner Sam Griffiths on Sunday afternoon and New Zealand event rider Hollie Swain on Tuesday afternoon. F8.3

BETA International is the world’s leading trade fair for equestrian, country clothing, outdoor and pet products. The 2018 show takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, from 21 to 23 January. Visitor entry is free on pre-registration at www.beta-int.com/visit. For further information contact Clair Webster, telephone +44 (0)1937 582111 or email clairw@beta-int.com