Luxury furniture retailer Turnbull and Thomas is swapping sofas for saddles as it makes its racing debut to judge the Best Turned Out Horse competition at the Haydon Point to Point.
Although it is Turnbull and Thomas’ first foray into the world of racing, it will not be its last. The North East-based fine furnisher is it set to judge the Best Turned Out Horse competitions at Point to Points across the region and into Yorkshire.
Thomas and Turnbull is following in fine tradition. Point to Point racing is often the first introduction to competitive racing for jockeys and their mounts, with many using it as an opportunity to fine-tune their skills and network, before launching successful professional careers.
The fine furnisher company will also be setting up a carefully designed mini-showroom to showcase its eclectic range of high-end products, including exclusive interior pieces from Voyage Maison by Northumberland artist, Mary Ann Rogers.
Terence Turnbull, Managing Director of Terence and Turnbull, said: “We’re really excited to be judging at the Haydon Point to Point meet. It is the lifeblood of the racing industry and a chance to see some of the greats, before they reach the big time.
“We’ll be bringing along some of our suppliers as a way of saying thank you, but also so they can see for themselves the brilliant atmosphere and community of the Point to Point scene, which very much emphasises the sporting nature of horse racing.
“I think we’re the perfect judges for the Best Turned Out Horse. Everyone at Turnbull and Thomas is so particular and we have a real eye for detail and design so we’ll be taking it very seriously.
“We also think it’s important that the grooms and stable hands are recognised for their hard-work in preparing and looking after the horses. In the same way that the furniture makers are just as important as the designers, the grooms take pride in their work and should be recognised.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how people visiting our mini-showroom react to the pieces that Mary Ann Rogers has designed for the Voyage Maison. They beautifully reflect every day sights for people who live in rural Northumberland and are a chance for many to get their hands on a Voyage Maison piece at a reasonable price.”