'Dumbfounded' and 'thunder-stuck' were words used by the winner of the EDP Business Awards 2017 Future50 One to Watch award to describe their feelings about their success.

Eastern Daily Press: EDP Business Awards 2017. Future50 One to Watch award winners Thunderbrook Equestrian. Picture: Simon Finlay Photography.EDP Business Awards 2017. Future50 One to Watch award winners Thunderbrook Equestrian. Picture: Simon Finlay Photography. (Image: Copyright 2017)

Thunderbrook Equestrian, based in Griston near Watton, produces its own formula of horse feed, free of genetically modified ingredients, which is good enough for humans.

The feed helps to protect horses' wellbeing and revive the health of sick animals.

The company also produces herbal supplements for horses.

Following early success in the UK and western Europe, the business is beginning to explore other export opportunities including the USA, Middle East and Australia.

It is run by Dr Deborah Carley, who has a PhD in biological and nutritional sciences and specialises in equine nutrition.

A horse owner herself, it was experiencing health problems in her animals and gaps in the equine medicine market which led her to start the business.

Dr Carley said the firm's success was down to the team's belief in their brand.

'We really believe in what we do. You can't run a business just to make money – you have to have the heart and passion behind it to drive it,' she said.

'As long as we have that passion behind what we are doing, it will come through to customers.'

The judges said they saw 'unrivalled passion' from the owners, who had made a 'huge impact on their market'.

Business development manager Eddie Linehan said he was 'delighted' for Thunderbrook's staff and customers.

'We have customers who have stayed loyal to us right from when we were making horse feed in the kitchen, so this is not just for us, it is for them,' he said.

Sponsored by enterprise agency Nwes, the Future50 One to Watch award recognises an early stage business which shows the potential and drive to become a success story, as well as complementing the company's partnership with the EDP on the Future50 initiative.

Mr Linehan said the company 'would not be where it is' without the support of Nwes and Future50.

He added: 'When someone believes in you and they invest their time and money in you, it makes all the difference.'