MERE sculptor Sarah Coward has been recognised for her amazing range of equine bronzes and ceramics after winning the Best Large Stand Category at the Festival of British Eventing.

She along with her husband Will Shields were presented with the award by the British Equestrian Trade Association’s (BETA) Best Stand Awards at the event held at Gatcombe Park.

The former veterinary nurse, who works from a purpose-built studio in her Wiltshire home and has been making sculptures for the past 15 years, said: “The award is wonderful recognition, we build the stand ourselves from scratch and it’s very important that it looks just right. After all, it’s our showroom, as we don’t deal with galleries.”

The Best Stand Awards are organised by BETA as part of its commitment to the equestrian trade and are hosted three times a year, at Bramham International Horse Trials, the Festival of British Eventing and Your Horse Live.

This year was BETA’s 10th anniversary as presenting sponsor at the Festival of British Eventing.

BETA executive director Claire Williams said: “The Best Stand Awards are a fantastic way for us to reward tradestand holders for all their hard work in producing an effective and attractive commercial environment that provides visitors with a high-quality shopping experience.  This is very much in line with BETA’s mission to promote excellence in retail.”