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Grow Eventing Our Approach. 19 January 2012. Contents. Why do we need this initiative?. Change Platform. Eventing sports healthy participation from adult riders, however Pony Riders and Juniors are very few
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Grow Eventing Our Approach 19 January 2012
Change Platform • Eventing sports healthy participation from adult riders, however Pony Riders and Juniors are very few • Our participation at WEG has not stimulated participation in the sport, as hoped, and particularly not at the younger levels • If we want the sport to grow, we need to create the funnel
Issues – to list a few.. • Eventing not a well-understood sport, limited TV coverage • Non-riding parents of riding children are guided by the schools or riding schools – eventing usually not on the agenda • Eventing shows are very time consuming – clashes with other family and sibling priorities • Young riders generally more interested in jumping and less so in dressage – this puts them off eventing • Training clinics not readily available or not communicated to riders outside of eventing community • Eventing currently not part of the SANESA suite of disciplines – this is NB • Some of the negative perceptions are that eventing is dangerous and requires expensive horses
Objectives • Objectives: • To grow the number of show participants in the Pony Rider and Junior levels (focus only on Gauteng for now) – this should result in longer term growth and sustainability • Only for the following venues: • Presidents Park, Fourways, ICB, Le Godimo, Northern Farms, Weltmeyer • Data will be updated to reflect all venues and shows in Gauteng
About SANESA • SANESA is • acknowledged by the South African Equestrian Federation (SAEF) and SASCOC, and has dedicated itself to promoting all forms of Equestrian sport within the South Africa’s schools’ community. • Has 15 diverse equestrian competition disciplines. • Each Province in South Africa has SANESA representation and some Provinces are also broken up into Regions. • Every Province/Region holds up to 4 multi-discipline competitions in the first 7 months of the year and then the top 8 riders with the most accumulated points in each discipline go forward to represent their Province at the annual SANESA National Championships during September/October. • SANESA provides a vehicle for us to access riders in schools, i.e. our target market • We would need to comply with their show holding requirements, i.e. up to 4 shows per region, by end July
Our Approach to growing the numbers – high level Recruit from the existing rider base Training & Skills Development Regular shows Relevant Recognition • SANESA and regional bodies first point of entry • Marketing Strategy to include newsletters, talks, etc. • Entry level training provided at least once per month per region • Lower cost (e.g. R100) • Transport of horses to be considered in venue selection • Show holding bodies encouraged to host one day shows – 50cm and 60cm (no dressage) • Recognised with SANESA • Standardised recognition levels developed and communicated to schools • Can get Full or Half Colours for Eventing • Other eventing trophies encouraged
Creating the Funnel.. Lower level events to consist of show jumping (5cm higher than the country) and a country course built in a grass arena These levels will include dressage, and country course will be in the country The “Eventing Challenge” is a subset of the above – a championship for 60cm and 70cm but without the dressage..
Next Steps Recruit from the existing rider base • Create relationship with SANESA – communicate our objectives, understand recognition levels and any requirements they may have • Get eventing incorporated as a SANESA discipline • Contact schools and get access to newsletters • Coordinate training clinics, one per month starting in February – encourage all regions • Co-opt instructors and find suitable venues – support regions with this • Create a pool of recognised course builders for event organisors to select from Training & Skills Development Regular shows • Liase with SANESA on show requirements • Liase with regional show holding bodies to host low level one day shows, separately or together with regular show schedule • Encourage new venues, e.g. Claire Webb, Patrick Brown, Riba, other ridings schools, etc., for SANESA specific shows • Communication with all schools • Encourage schools to recognise their eventers with School Colours Relevant Recognition