BACKGROUND
Grace Park Developments Pty Ltd has teamed up with PROPRESS EQUINE LTD a division of PROPRESS Ltd which was established in 1981 by Brian Fillery. He recognized the need for the development of fabric steamers for instant crease removal in the fashion and textiles industries. A range of steamers and ironing equipment was developed, made in the UK and penetrated all markets for a variety of applications, from fashion and charity retail shops, bridal and interior decorating to theatres and hotels resulting in PROPRESS now being the leading brand sold worldwide.
HAYGAIN was developed over a number of years and inspired by the owner’s personal interest in horses. Laboratory tests were carried out at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom in the mid-1990's but concluded that just steaming a bale of hay without penetrating the interior did not achieve the critical results required.
Further intense development over the last three years with extensive, controlled laboratory research at the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester in the United Kingdom, together with a team of engineering experts have now enabled PROPRESS to bring the HAYGAIN Hay Steamer to the market with patent-pending technology as a fit for purpose indispensable tool that benefits the health and performance of every horse.
HAYGAIN is made to the highest specifications, using cutting-edge technology and thermally efficient plastic composites.
Meet the team…
HAYGAIN AUSTRALIAN DIVISION - Richard Kendall
Richard established his company Grace Park Developments in 1999 to pursue & develop greater knowledge & innovative ways to increase the health & wellbeing of his beautiful equine friends, the passion for which started at an early age when helping his father with his Clydesdale horses on his daily milk run. He introduced the Paddock Cleaning Range of equipment to improve the efficiency of picking up manure to Australia. With Clydie-cross horses of his own & enduring drought conditions with the need to supplement feed, he is passionate about the Haygain system to dramatically improve the quality of hay.
HAYGAIN EUROPEAN DIVISION – Brian Fillery
Brian’s family background spans seventy five years in commercial and domestic appliances with a number of inventions including the pressure cooker. A dedicated participant of all countryside pursuits, he has hunted most of his life and held a mastership in the West Country in the United Kingdom for nine seasons. One of his three sons is an assistant trainer in a leading National Hunt yard.
HAYGAIN EUROPEAN DIVISION – Tim Oliver
Tim joined PROPRESS in its infancy in 1982 with a background in design and engineering, he has been central to the management of the company’s successful growth. Tim has an active interest in many country pursuits and a love of rural life. He is also a founder and trustee of the Halow Project, a charity championing the rights of young adults with Special Needs.
TECHNICAL CONSULTANT – Becky James
Becky achieved a BSc in Animal Science from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, before working full time in a dressage yard as head girl for nearly two years. She has since returned to study at MSc level, Equine Science at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester (UK). She has carried out research for her thesis using the HAYGAIN which continues to date. A dedicated dressage rider, Becky has enjoyed much success in BYRDs (British Young Riders Dressage Scheme) under 25s including winning the Young Rider championship in Scotland in 2007.
SCIENTIFIC CONSULTANT – Dr. Meriel Moore-Colyer
Dr. Moore-Colyer has been at the forefront of equine nutrition for many years, specializing in forage and has previously published research on steaming hay. This experience meant she was the ideal person to lead the research using the HAYGAIN and act as our consultant. She is also a senior lecturer at the Royal Agricultural College, a BHSII instructor and dressage rider.
