Olympic Fever In Your Barn?

If there is a sense of Olympic fever in your horse barn then you are not alone. At a recent dressage clinic Paul and I found plenty of excitement about the forthcoming stellar equestrian competition. It seemed as if everyone was trying just that bit harder to master their equestrian prowess. 

Paul Alvin-Smith schooling an ANCCE stallion

 

Last year while in the United Kingdom enjoying various trips through the autumn and winter months, I had the opportunity to personally engage with some national contenders for the team. To say it was awe-inspiring is an understatement. 

I may be a wee bit spoiled!

 

The advent of live-streaming TV means everyone can gain access to watch the particular discipline they favor in real time, and that has everyone that is a serious competitor and a lot of all-important grass roots amateur riders too, are on the edge of their seats enjoying the spectacle.

If you operate a horse training facility then this year in particular is a great time to garner some extra 'push' and interest in the equestrian pursuits, whatever discipline.

 

In years gone by we've hosted elaborate parties to watch broadcasts of the dressage events, presented demo rides at clinics all 'miked up' explaining certain movements present in the tests (obviously not Olympic level but doing our best), detailing specifics the judges are looking for in quality dressage work that may not always be realized by up and coming dressage aficionados. 

At our horse property, Willowview Hill Farm, located in the Catskill Mountains of New York and prior to that at our Hudson Valley farm, we have invited past Olympic level riders to come and teach to spur on some high level excitement for our students. 

The timing to host fundraising events for equine charities is always good when horse sport is being covered in TV land. Indeed, equestrian sport still being included in the Olympic roster of events is a big pull to filling seats and saddles at many smaller events.

Everyone can learn by watching

Don't be shy to harness this time, prior, during and after the Olympics, to build some new aspects or flavor to your horse training business and build some interest and bring in new clientele.

Sure, there are many of us that have happily competed at international level abroad and known that we are not of the caliber required to make an Olympic team, but that doesn't stop us all dreaming a little bit does it? All dreams are valid.

And don't forget to invite the pint-sized equestrians to your events too. After all, they are the future of the sport.