Landmark 2016

wning two horses and being an

avid rider herself, Sophie Knox

instinctively knew there was a gap

in the market for a knowledgeable online

equestrian business. “Studying equine

and agricultural business management

at the RAU gave me a great insight into

general business management, while

being an event rider meant that I got to

interact with people from right across the

sector. I soon realised that there was an

increasing demand for a reliable online

retailer, capable of understanding its

customers’ individual equestrian needs.”

Sophie seized the opportunity and launched

Mane Supplies in 2013. “I decided to

set up an online business because the

internet is the future of retail. We specialise

in products for the horse and rider; from

supplements, bridles, jodhpurs, boots, and

seat savers, to items for the smallholder

and gifts for the horse-loving home, and

everything we stock can be viewed on

our website. Customers can contact us

for more information, or even visit our

large showroom for further assistance.

“In fact, I spend most of my time dealing

with customers and that’s the most

rewarding part of my job – especially when

you can offer them exactly what they’re

looking for. Our customers often tell us

which products they’d like to see on our

site, and we really value their feedback.”

Licenced by the Government through

the Veterinary Medicines Directorate,

Mane Supplies have a Suitably Qualified

Person to offer customers advice and

guidance. “We keep abreast of the latest

developments in the equestrian market

by visiting trade shows and inviting

companies to come and demonstrate

their products. While we love seeing and

stocking cutting-edge gadgets, we know

that traditional items are always popular so

they feature strongly within our collection.”

Recently shortlisted for Internet and Mail

Order Retailer of the Year 2016 in the

British Equestrian Trade Association annual

awards ceremony, Sophie’s business is

one to watch. “It was wonderful to be

nominated by one of our customers, and

I was thrilled to go up and receive the

runner up award. Everyone was so excited

to hear the news, and I feel incredibly

lucky to have such a great team.”

When she’s not busy with the day-to-day

demands of Mane Supplies, Sophie keeps

her second online business, Pets Perfect,

ticking over. “I bought Pets Perfect back

in 2008 when it was quite small. I saw

the potential straight away and knew that

I could develop it into something much

bigger. Pets Perfect serves the cat and dog

market and runs off the same principles as

Mane Supplies – the two businesses are

actually very complementary. Customers

travel from all over the country to visit our

showroom, and have their dogs fitted

for coats and other seasonal gear.”

Sophie’s top tip for business management

is to make sure you have a well-qualified

team behind you. “From the operations

manager to the computer experts and

the buyers in the office, you need a

dedicated group of people who also

want the business to succeed. Customer

service, knowledge, and good prices

are the foundations of Mane Supplies,

and with these in place I know I can

grow it to become the biggest and most

proficient online equestrian business.”

Recognised as one of the top Internet and Mail Order Retailers of the Year by the

British Equestrian Trade Association, Sophie Knox’s rapidly growing equestrian

business, Mane Supplies, is going from strength to strength.

Name:

Sophie Knox

Course:

BSc (Hons) International Equine and Agricultural Business Management

PROFILE

Mane

Supplies

“It was wonderful to be

nominated in the Internet

and Mail Order Retailer of

the Year category at the

British Equestrian Trade

Association awards by one

of our customers. I was

thrilled to go up and receive

the runner up award.”

LANDMARK 2016