Bella Equestrian- Our Mission is to provide prestige equestrian goods to the passionate Australian rider who is committed to the wellbeing of their horses.  Each of our clients will take away with them a product of superior quality that they will wonder how they ever did without, as well as a feeling of being personally attended to.

So who is Bella Equestrian?

 Bella Equestrian is a small business that was started as a hobby in 2007 and became a full time business venture in 2008.   It was started by myself, Anita Marchesani, after returning from an extended trip to the UK and Europe.

After initially travelling to the UK with my partner (now husband, Mike), to work in Television, I answered an ad in the Horse & Hound one week and found myself finally fulfilling a life long dream and working full time with horses.  Living in a caravan (thankfully, a large one!) at a livery yard on the outskirts of Richmond Park in London I quickly fell in love with the "English" way of keeping horses.  I worked under a fabulous, very experienced yard manager who took me under her wing and taught me plenty!  I quickly discovered a passion for cleaning tack (done daily), and the love of the look and smell of a fresh new stable bed.

Our one year stay was extended, so after a breif sojourn at a dressage yard in Reading, I moved to Surrey where I began working as Head Girl for a British Young Rider team member.  Susanna "Nana" Barker had a small but growing yard based in a lovely old Victorian coach yard, complete with cobblestones and high arched gateways.  Unlike the London yard, we had acres of turnout and lovely hacking- country lanes for roadwork, Blackdown Hill for hillwork, and a very friendly neighbour farmer for crazy hacks and hoons!  We had 8 horses the first year, and a yearling, and started with 12 the following year. 

 
Nana and RomanyTinka warming up for the CIC*** at Chatsworth International.
  
Nana and Romany Tinka at Gatcombe Festival of Eventing- Advanced.
  

The horses ranged from pre-novice to ***star level.  The scene in the UK is huge, and we were often competing every week, sometimes twice a week.  Nana had a serviceable 4 horse truck (which I had to learn to drive very quickly when Nana broke her foot!), and we usualy took 3 horses out.  In the UK, a One Day is actually a One Day- "day before dressage" is rare.  This is largely due to the high numbers of entries and the larger amounts of land available that let the organisers run all 3 phases at one.  This did mean it was go, go, go from the moment we unloaded to the moment we went home.  I got to see some wonderful events, fabulous horses, learn heaps from watching the pros and see some lovely countryside.

 
Nana and One Hasty Retreat warming up for the dressage at Blenheim CCI*** in front of the amazing Blenheim Palace.

I was also fortunate to groom at a number of Internationals, including twice at Blenheim CCI***, when the event was still held in long format.  I also attended Badminton a number of times while in the UK to spectate, and of course, walk that famous track!

On my return to Australia, I played around with working in hospitality and catering while leasing horses and trying to keep up my riding.  The idea for starting the business came from trying to find the same quality of tack as I used in the UK daily and not being able to!  I thought we were so far behind here!  Thermatex was my first brand, with Aerborn, Clarendon and now Jeffries are all part of the range.

     

Bella Equestrian is still growing and developing in accordance to my customers needs and feedback.  We launched the Clarendon and Thermatex ranges at Equitana in 2008 to great success.  I am a member of the Business Fusion "Business Masters Program" where I study and benefit from regular training and seminars.  At the inaugural Business Fusion Awards Night in December 2008, Bella Equestrian was named a Finalist in the Home Based Business of the Year Award, and again in 2009 we were finalists- this time in the New Business of the Year Award.

I welcome any feedback and comments you may have on our range, our products and what you think is missing from your local tack shop's shelves.  We offer only a small, select range and our focus in on products still made and designed entirely in the UK. 

Our promise to you, is that our products are the best for your horse!

Give your pony a cuddle for me!
Anita