Event rider and young entrepreneur Amelia Halley tells on her new equestrian clothing business and why the ‘made in Britain’ tag is so important to her
With the aim of competing for her country, Devon-based event rider Amelia Halley has always set her sights high.
At the age of 24, as well as working as a professional rider, this ambitious young woman has recently launched her own business, Millaton - creating designer competition jackets for equestrians; but her entrepreneurial abilities took hold when she was much younger.
Born in Yorkshire, Amelia has lived in Devon for 18 years, growing up with Dartmoor as her playground. When she was just seven, after a few riding lessons, Amelia discovered an obsession with horses and was lucky enough to have her first pony. From that moment, she was totally invested in her dream of becoming a professional event rider and to ride at the coveted Badminton Horse Trials.
At the age of 12, the young teen created a ‘naughty pony riding service’.
‘I was very brave and would gladly ride naughty ponies without fear,’ she says. ‘I spotted my first ever gap in the market as little ponies couldn’t always be ridden by adults due to their size and the naughty ones used to frighten children.’
To her surprise, she gained regular customers and was able to contribute towards the cost of feeding her own ponies. Around this time Amelia also discovered a love of art and began to draw and paint her friends’ ponies, horses and pets - which also contributed to her riding costs.
Her art business went online and she started selling her work internationally, also winning awards including the SAA Best Young Artist 2019 in the Animal or Wildlife category. This resulted in increased sales and revenue and a business as a professional portrait artist running alongside her riding career.
‘My current profession is riding for other people and working with horses alongside Millaton. I still now draw as a hobby when I find the time. But I no longer draw commercially,’ she says.
‘I have always been very entrepreneurial since I can remember; I have always wanted to be my own boss since I was young. Both my parents have their own businesses and their work ethic is very inspirational to me. I think what drives me is being in control of my own company and the desire to make change in the industry and sport that I love.’
This thought-process has driven Amelia to her latest venture. The riding jackets she produces under her Millaton brand combine modern technology with high performance fabric and materials, as well as a ‘made in Britain’ tag - something she considers important in a market where most products come from overseas.
The inspiration for Millaton came when searching for her own competition jacket. She had great difficulty finding one that was modern in style and suited her taste. Keen to make something that was fresh and current but that also had a strong ethical foundation, Amelia came up with a creative, streamlined design, with a modern twist but also paying homage to the British equestrian industry.
She says: ‘I wanted to create a brand which reflects the riders of the future. The jackets have a classic feel but with aerodynamic designs to reduce air resistance and flatter the physique of a rider in the saddle.
‘The British textile industry is in poor decline, yet the UK equestrian industry is worth millions. I would like to be the brand leader one day to help bring more industry back to the UK. I also wish to have a business with a smaller carbon footprint than some of my large competitors that outsource.
‘All of Millaton’s jackets and products will be made in the UK, paying fair prices to the talented individuals making them, reducing the carbon footprint of the average competition jacket, whilst challenging the idea that style is fixed and cannot be altered.
‘My jackets are different to my competitors’ in terms of style and design. They have no buttons on the midline of the jackets, reducing air resistance and flattering the midline of the rider in the saddle - also no more lost buttons!
‘They are designed by a rider, for riders, so each detail is made with the rider’s use and performance in mind and the fact they are made in London makes them even more unusual, as the majority of competitors’ products are manufactured abroad.
‘The entire process is UK-based. The design, testing and manufacturing. I see many other brands stating that they design in the UK but still outsource abroad.’
Amelia joined The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme while she was creating Millaton and, with help from her business mentor and support team at the charity, has further aims for her business.
She says: ‘My hopes for the company are fairly extensive! I am hoping to branch out into other jackets and then into other forms of equestrian clothing and even some equine wear later this year. My long-term goals are to be a recognisable brand nationwide and to eventually expand into Europe and America.’
Whilst her art business and now Millaton have been gaining traction, Amelia has been continuously working on her own riding and sporting goals, regularly training, and buying and selling horses. In the coming years, she hopes to expand the Millaton product range and make it a brand that equestrians can rely on and trust for all their rider needs.
Her dedication and competitive nature has resulted in Amelia securing a series of wins under her belt at affiliated level of eventing and now she has plans to enter her first international competition.
She says: ‘I currently have a yard of six horses with two to compete this year. My lifetime goal is still to compete at Badminton Horse Trials and to one day ride for my country.’
Following a successful competitive year in 2022 with her horse, Florence, Amelia was accepted onto the Wesko Foundation Young Eventers’ Pathway for 2023 — a non-profit organisation founded to bring education and training to talented young riders and facilitate new opportunities for young people within the equestrian community.
With such experience in her sport, her design skill, knowing what exactly what riders need and her business drive, Amelia has all the key ingredients to produce successful products.
And the company name means something special too.
‘The name Millaton is after the family home where I live outside of Bridestowe. It’s where I spend a large amount of time working, and looking at Dartmoor - everyday is paradise.’
millaton.uk
