spoga horse TOP INNOVATIONS: The future prize for industry pioneers

Professional

Dr Vivian Gabor, Germany, Dipl. Biol., Managing Director IVK, expert and lecturer

Dr. Vivian Gabor is a behavioural biologist, doctor of equine science and author. She specialises in the learning behaviour of horses and the link between science and practice. Her work focuses on optimising human-horse communication and improving animal welfare. She is the owner of a training stable and founder of the Institute for Behaviour and Communication (IVK). This is where horse behaviour trainers are trained to pass on their knowledge of horse-friendly and successful training. In addition to her practical work, she is a court-appointed expert for horse behaviour and a lecturer at the University of Göttingen.

What makes an innovation special for you?

For me, an innovation is special if it responds to the challenges of our time in an intelligent and sustainable way that protects the environment and animal welfare. The added value for humans and animals should be clearly recognisable. Design, manageability and aesthetics may not play the main role, but they also contribute to the value of the innovation.

Retail

Simone Keller-Döppner, Germany, Managing Director HorSeven GmbH

"My name is Simone Keller-Döppner, I am 56 years old and live between the Rhön and Vogelsberg mountains, near the beautiful cathedral city of Fulda in Hesse. I am a qualified businesswoman and started a specialist equestrian shop in the basement of our home in 1997. In 2011, HorSeven GmbH (Europe's largest online horse rug shop) was added to the owner-managed equestrian shop. HorSeven GmbH is a pure online shop throughout Europe. The Horse Shop Landenhausen is based on several pillars: online, stationary, saddlery, blanket laundry, registration centre. In our family business - my husband and our two sons are now on board - we currently employ around 30 people in both companies."

What makes an innovation special for you?

"Innovations are rarely reinvented, but become more valuable through improvements and optimisations. The better a new or innovative product is accepted by the consumer, the more relief and security it brings to the user, the higher the innovation is rated."

Influencer

Mathilde Labat, France, equestrian influencer and journalist

"I am a 22-year-old horse rider and equestrian content creator sharing my daily life with my horses on social media. I love following high-level showjumping and dressage, meeting horse riders all around the world and discovering new products on my channels. My goal is to gather equestrians around the love of horses and their well-being!"

What makes an innovation special for you?

"For me, an innovation is special when it makes the horse’s and rider’s life easier and safer!"

Professional

Steffi Svendsen, Denmark, Trainer & Rider, Teland Breeding Farm

"I grew up in Germany, where I also completed my training. I am an IPZV Trainer A and rider, and have competed for Germany and Denmark at several World Championships. Today I live with my husband Rune Svendsen in Denmark, our country of choice. There we pursue our passion and run the largest Icelandic horse breeding farm in the country. We have been nominated for Breeder of the Year several times."

What makes an innovation special for you?

"An innovation project is special when it puts the customer or user centre stage."

The benefits for the five winners of the spoga horse TOP INNOVATIONS

• Label: Rights of use and advertising materials for the title spoga horse TOP INNOVATION 2025
• Online gallery: Professional presentation on the spoga horse website
• Video clip: A short product teaser with the title spoga horse TOP INNOVATION per winner, which will be shared on all communication channels
• Exposure and attention: The results will be shared across the worldwide spoga horse network
• Trophy and certificate: A trophy and a certificate complete the benefits

The benefits for the most innovative products

• BOULEVARD OF INNOVATIONS: The most innovative products of the up to 30 nominees will be presented to the entire spoga horse audience at a central location at the trade fair.
• Online gallery: The nominated products will also be presented on the spoga horse website for one year with images and product information. Your website will also be linked in this context.
• Exposure and attention: The results will be made available to the worldwide spoga horse media and visitor network and played on all spoga horse communication channels.
• Certificate: All nominees receive a "spoga horse PROOF OF INNOVATION 2025" certificate.

The evaluation process

The submitted products are assessed by an independent and interdisciplinary team. They come from the retail, influencer and professional sectors. More info on the jury members 2025 will follow soon.

All products submitted by the deadline will be presented to the jury for evaluation. Based on eight different criteria, the jury will assign points to your product. Each criterion will receive up to ten points from the jury. The criteria Innovation Strategy & Solution Approach and Overall Concept will receive double the points. Subsequently, the points of all six jury members will be added up for the submitted product. This is how up to 30 of the best products are determined, which receive the spoga horse PROOF OF INNOVATION. The best five products will win the title: "spoga horse TOP INNOVATION 2025". In mid-January you will receive written notification of the overall results for your product.

The evaluation criteria

• Mini pitch of the product (via video link is welcome)
• Innovation strategy & solution approach
• Sustainability
• Differentiation from competing products
• Longevity & Quality
• Functionality and Usability
• Design
• Overall concept

Participation fee

• The participation fee is 260 € per product.
• The invoice for the participation fee will be sent to you by post after the trade fair.

What is the participation fee used for?
Participation in the spoga horse TOP INNOVATIONS is only possible for exhibitors who have already registered for the trade fair. The participation fee will be used to highlight and strengthen your benefits so that you can benefit from the award in the best possible way.

Conditions of Participation for the spoga horse TOP INNOVATIONS 2025:

Registration and submission

Submit your product via the official form by 22.11.2024. You will receive a written submission confirmation from us. If you are among the nominees, you will receive an official notification from us on 10 January 2025. If you are one of the 5 winners of the spoga horse TOP INNOVATIONS, we will inform you shortly before spoga horse 2025 so that we have enough time to prepare your product digitally.

The decision has been made! Here are the winners of the spoga horse TOP INNOVATIONS 2024

On 03.02.2024, the winners of the spoga horse TOP INNOVATIONS 2024 were announced at a ceremony during spoga horse. Take a look at the five best innovations.