SELLING sand to the Middle East must be any salesman's dream. But for one small Padiham company, it represents a major breakthrough in its bid to become a world leader in its field.

As its name suggests, Equestrian Surfaces specialises in the development and manufacture of surfaces for horse-riding.

It has just won a £750,000 contract to build arenas and a gallop in Dubai for its Crown Prince Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, one of the biggest names in world horse racing.

Sand is a key component of the specialist surfaces that the company has developed, but it is the rest of the 'mix' that has given it an edge over its competitors.

For its top product, Equestrian Surfaces blends washed silica sand with elasto fibre, synthetic fibres and felt footing, all bound with clinically pure vaseline. The result is a cushioned riding surface that prolongs the competitive career of the horse.

For director Philip Bond, the Dubai contract - the biggest ever won by the company - is another major milestone for the business that was formed just 12 years ago.

"It is a real triumph for the business," he said. "We had already done work for the Sheik's trainer at his stud in Newmarket so I think we must have gained his confidence."

The work in Dubai will not be the first 'by royal appointment'. Last year, the company was chosen for "All the Queen's Horses", one of the events to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee at Windsor, and it also supplies the surfaces for the Horse of the Year Show.

"We are now the main sponsors for the Horse of the Year Show and it has been a big boost for the company in terms of public relations and credibility. It has lifted us out of being a small operator and has given us a much higher profile that has been accepted by a wider group of equestrian organisations."

Other high-profile clients include top jockies Frankie Dettori and Pat Eddery, the Royal Armouries at Leeds, the Household Cavalry and Punchestown Racecourse in Ireland.

Equestrian Surfaces was formed 12 years ago by Paul Harper who had a plant hire company: "Paul was often called on to do ground work on equestrian installations and could see there was a market," explained Philip. "He was invited to tender for a few contracts and before long he had two or three installation teams going round the country constructing riding arenas."

In those days, the surfaces were made with materials such as woodchip and bark. Gradually, mixtures of sand and rubber were introduced and in the mid-1990s, the company started to develop its own products. Today, a range of surfaces is manufactured from a cocktail of ingredients that includes sand, chipwood, felt, fibres, rubber, pvc, wax and petroleum jelly.

From its headquarters in Padiham, the company has depots in Windsor, Devizes and Southern Ireland. Earlier this year, it opened a depot in Florida, Miami, in a bid to break into the lucrative American market and hopes to recruit a network of distributors.

After winning the contract for the Baltic Horse Show in Kiel earlier this year, a German distributor has been appointed and the company also has representation in Sweden and France.

In the UK, a test circuit has been installed at Newmarket for the Jockey Club and Equestrian Surfaces is hoping its products will set the standards for all-weather racing.

Equestrian Surfaces has been backed by Burnley Borough Council's economic development unit. "We wanted our customer services to be as advanced as our products and with a council grant, we have been able to purchase a new customer relations management system, a new accountancy system and graphic design package, taking our customer service to a standard that befits our range of customers."