Tally Ho Farm Ltd Information

When Jeff Thomas moved into Tally Ho Farm in 1986, the site was not automatically suggestive of a successful business. The farm had been poorly maintained and, apart from a few calves and pigs, the previous owners had run a small farm shop from the garage. The first task was to remove the older buildings and erect two large horse barns. This gave the farm the facility to hold 50 horses and is now run as a riding and livery yard. Because of Jeff's experience in the equestrian world, as a rider and trainer of point-to-point and National Hunt horses, he decided to develop the "garage shop" into a specialist equestrian outlet, with emphasis on feeding and nutrition. A year before the move to Tally Ho Farm, The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club became a neighbour at Winkfield. This was the first of an influx of polo establishments near Windsor, which was to have an important effect on Jeff's plans to establish Tally Ho as a major equine supplier. "Having managed the day to day running of stables myself, I am aware of the importance of giving customers a reliable and friendly service. This, I think is the reason we began to supply polo yards along with our non-polo customers". Within a short time, products had been increased at Tally Ho to include feed supplements, stable equipment and veterinary material. The old garage was still the "shop", although the feedstuff was now stored in every space available within the farm. In 1992, Jeff built a 5,000 sq ft agricultural barn, moving the shop into the new building. Sales continued to expand with local polo yards becoming an important aspect of trade. In 1997 Tally Ho moved seriously into the tack and clothing field, which is now firmly established.