UK equestrian start-up, Armaros, which has developed an innovative new type of flexible body armour for horse riders, has secured a £100k investment from British Design Fund.

The company was founded by Esmeralda Tuomi (pictured), a former Finnish showjumper who suffered a bad accident while riding. The body protector she was wearing at the time saved her life but like fellow riders, she found existing products to be very rigid and uncomfortable. In some cases, also impacting on balance.