spoga horse TOP INNOVATIONS: The future prize for industry pioneers

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.

Influencer

Hella Gabbert, Germany, Content Creator / Influencer

"I'm Hella, 21 years old and have two horses. Together with my friend Tom, I publish entertaining YouTube videos every week and take my community with me into my everyday life at the stables. Currently, we are also developing an exciting product for horse-loving children. I'm happy to be a part of the jury and excited to see what innovations are currently on the market."

What makes innovations special for you?
"I think it's always good to question things and try to solve current problems with new product ideas. Especially in our industry, there are still so many things that seem unnecessarily complicated to me, so I'm grateful for every new innovative product that makes my everyday life in the barn easier."

Influencer

Evan Donadt, USA, Head Groom & Content Creator

Evan Donadt is the head groom at his wife Ashley Donadt’s dressage training program Donadt Dressage as well as a social media content creator. With over 209,000 followers on his Instagram @evangrooms and over 350,000 followers on his TikTok @evans_world, Evan entertains the horse world with wholesome and humorous videos about life at the barn and life with horses.

Evan has a Chemical Engineering Degree, and has a background in Biotech and Marketing roles. Prior to meeting Ashley, he knew nothing about horses, but he took to them immediately and never looked back. As he was learning about horsecare from Ashley, he would closely observe what the horses would do then try to determine why and what they were thinking, and then he would turn these scenarios into funny videos, creating his #horsesandhumor videos he’s well known for.

What makes innovations special for you?
"Having a background in engineering, I am all about determining the most efficient and effective way to care for the horses. What makes innovation special to me is that each innovation makes its easier for us to care for our horses better and improves the quality time spent with our horses."

Retailer

Andreas Manski, Germany, Managing Director Reitsport Manski

At the age of 17, Andreas Manski opened the Manski equestrian store in Güstrow together with his parents. As a former vaulter and rider, he maintains a strong bond with equestrian sports. Today he is still a successful horse breeder. Andreas Manski is committed to promoting young talents in sports and breeding. In 1999, he bought his parents' company and still runs it today.

What makes innovations special for you?

"In equestrian sports, there is too much focus on the fashion sector. It's time to focus more on equine technical solutions again. Innovation means improving old ideas and trends."

Retailer

Beata Dahlén, Sweden, Buyer/product developer

"I am a 50 plus “horse girl” who has the privilege of working with the sport that I love, I have been in the equestrian trade business since 1995 in some capacity or other, both in sales and in buying all of this combined gives me an understanding of what the end consumer looks for in products."

What makes innovations special for you?
"I have a passion for trying to figure out how to make life easier and safer for both horse and rider."

Professional

Thibault Delattre, France, Project Manager at Pôle Hippolia

“As an agricultural engineer specialising in the nutrition and physiology of sport horses, I have had the opportunity to work with horses in sport horse breeding, veterinary research (ISME – Suisse Institute of Equine Medicine) and events (French Equestrian Championships), before moving into the industrial sector: audit and project monitoring with "Parcours Conseil", management of the company Equidéos, etc."

What makes innovations special for you?
“Innovation happens everywhere, all the time. Whether incremental or disruptive, it helps to improve the daily lives of riders, horses and all those who work or enjoy with them. Innovation has to be smart, useful, effective and affordable. I like to detect new things, sometimes improve them, and above all help them to become known and used to as many people as possible so that they can be useful every day.”

Professional

Malin Hansen Hotopp, Germany, International Eventing Rider/ Farmer/ Horse Boarding Operator/ Trainer

"I am 45 years old and live with my husband and three children in Kirch Baggendorf in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. We run a farm, a horse boarding house and train apprentices. I am a trainer A riding and international eventing rider."

What makes innovations special for you?
"Good innovations usually mean progress, further development and often also facilitation. If you're not open to that, you're treading water."