The TOP INNOVATIONS for the worldwide equestrian industry

"Innovations in our industry are the basis for an ever better coexistence between horse and rider. It makes living together with our horses easier. Our horses live longer and healthier lives when we expand our know-how and translate it into products and applications. Great innovations that focus on the welfare of horses are an important sign of respect towards these magnificent animals."

- Arnd Wiegler, Managing Director of Equiva

Who can participate in the spoga horse TOP INNOVATIONS 2022?

• All exhibitors at spoga horse 2022 in Cologne
• All purely digital exhibitors at spoga horse @home
• Young companies that have been on the market for less than 5 years

Further information on participation can be found in our conditions of participation.

To the conditions of participation (.pdf)

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 2022
• 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 certificate round off the benefits

"Innovations make everyday life easier and promote further development. In my view, they can also be a special feature or a new service and do not necessarily have to be implemented in the form of a product. At Fundis Reitsport GmbH, we also want to be pioneers and are constantly optimizing our online store and our product range. As part of this jury, I am looking forward to evaluating new and good ideas that advance the equestrian world online and offline."

- Stefan Fundis, founder and managing director of Fundis Reitsport GmbH

The benefits for the 30 most innovative products

• BOULEVARD OF INNOVATIONS: In a central location at the fair, the 30 most innovative products will be presented to the entire spoga horse audience.
• Online gallery: The 30 best products will be presented on the spoga horse website for one year in the form of a photo and product information with a link to their website
• Exposure and attention: The results will be made available to the worldwide spoga horse media and visitor network and published on all of the communication channels of spoga horse.
• Certificate: The 30 most innovative products receive a "spoga horse PROOF OF INNOVATION 2022" certificate

The evaluation process

All products submitted punctually will be presented to the jury for evaluation. The jury will allocate points to your product according to eight different criteria. Each criterion can be awarded up to ten points from the jury. The criteria Innovation strategy & approach as well as Overall concept receive double the amount of points. The points from all six jury members will subsequently be added together for each product submitted. In this way, the best 30 products will be determined, which in turn receive the spoga horse PROOF OF INNOVATION. The best five products win the title "spoga horse TOP INNOVATION 2022". You will receive written notification of the overall result of your product in mid-February.

The evaluation criteria

• Mini pitch for the product (gladly as a video link)
• Innovation strategy & approach
• Sustainability
• Differentiation to rival products
• Durability & quality
• Functionality and operation
• Design
• Overall concept

Annica Hansen, Germany, Moderator & Equestrian Blogger

"Horse girl | No word could describe me better. Moderator, founder, creator, author. All true. But at heart, I'm mostly a true horse girl."

Chrischa Ludwig, Germany, Professional western rider & horse trainer

Several times awarded professional western rider as well as internationally renowned horse trainer, who has turned his hobby into a profession and lives his dream. His love for and talent in dealing with the animals makes him enjoy doing the job (almost) every day.

Stefan Fundis, Germany, Founder and Managing Director of Fundis Reitsport GmbH

Stefan Fundis, 31 years old (03.12.1989), founder and managing director of Fundis Reitsport GmbH, active in show jumping.

Erin Orford, Great Britain, International Para Dressage Rider

"I am an international Para Dressage rider for Great Britain and have been competing in national and international competitions for over 15 years, in addition to competing in non-disabled dressage competitions up to A level. For example, at the 2018 World Equestrian Games I was part of the team that won the silver medal. Currently, I am bidding for the World Championships this year and Paris 2024. I am also a qualified trainer for British Dressage UKCC Level 2."

Jesse Drent, Netherlands, trainer, author, influencer and more

Jesse Drent is an equestrian, trick trainer, author, influencer and business owner. He has been riding horses since he was eight years old. He got his first horse, Andorra, at the age of 12. After a few years, Jesse focused on a different way of working with horses. He found a training method that focuses entirely on positive reinforcement and learning that is tailored to the horse's natural nature.

Jaqueline Freeke & Adam Postema, Netherlands, Owner Epplejeck

Jacqueline Freeke is founder and owner of Epplejeck (since 2008), which now has 17 superstores and mail order and 400 employees in Holland and Belgium. Adam Postema is the owner of Epplejeck together with Jacqueline. He has been successfully in the equestrian industry for 41 years.