LISA Smiton has been part of the equestrian world for over 20 years, although she didn’t grow up in a horsey family. “My journey began at a local riding school and developed through opportunity, hard work, and the support of people who believed in me.

“A family friend played a pivotal role early on, giving me the chance to ride regularly and gain invaluable hands-on experience. I spent my late teens on their yard, immersed in daily routines, travelling to shows, and building the foundation for my career.”

Lisa went on to study a degree at CAFRE and is currently working towards becoming a qualified equine nutritionist.

“Before establishing my own yard in 2010, I worked across the industry as a race groom, polo groom, and hunt groom, travelling throughout the UK and Ireland. A highlight was spending two summers at Beaufort Polo Club, where I gained insight into high-level equine care.

“Today, I run my own yard alongside a smallholding, where I keep and compete my own horses, breed Irish Sport Horses, and manage farm animals. As a mother of two boys, life is busy, but incredibly rewarding.”

The idea for the Equine Safety Release (ESR) Bar came from Lisa’s own experiences transporting horses. While taking her young horse, Madam Drumsallagh, to shows, she became acutely aware of how quickly situations can escalate during travel and says: “In emergencies, horses can become trapped, and in some cases the only option has been to cut them free using power tools.

“I found it hard to accept that, despite advances in other areas of the industry, transport safety had seen so little innovation. That realisation pushed me to find a better solution.”

The ESR Bar is a quick-release system designed to improve safety during horse transport. It can be fitted to all trailers and allows for fast, controlled release in an emergency.

Alongside developing the product, Lisa has been involved in raising awareness around transport safety. “I’ve returned to CAFRE to speak with students and worked with the British Horse Society at educational events, where my husband Paul demonstrates trailer safety and encourages regular checks.

“The bars are manufactured by Paul through his company, Smiton Maintenance. What began as a practical solution for my own peace of mind has grown into something much bigger.

“This initiative is about more than a product. It’s about improving standards, encouraging preparation, and ensuring horse owners have safer options available. Feedback from veterinary professionals, including at Goffs, has been extremely positive, highlighting the importance of rapid release in reducing injury.

“Looking ahead, we are developing further safety solutions and expanding our interest across the UK. My goal is simple: to make horse transport safer and help prevent situations no horse or owner should ever face. Because when it comes to our horses, safety should never be left to chance.”

Web: esrbar.com