Is this another sign that equestrianism is ''fading out''

[MandyMoo]

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/competitionnews/390/315508.html

I read this, whilst procrastinating from my third year university exam revision (eurgh), and it really hit me just how much equestrianism as a sport is fading out...it already has the lowest (or one of the lowest anyway) prize winnings out of all the major sports - still makes me so angry how much a footballer earns a day.....

If big events like Hickstead can't get sponsors, how an earth with smaller events manage to get sponsors and keep events going?!
As Tim Stockdale quoted, it really WOULD be a tragedy if such a great event such as the Derby was lost.

I suppose it just stresses how much we need to support our local (and national) events as much as we can ...

Thoughts? Do you guys reckon equestrianism is losing its 'mojo' with the general public? or do you think it might make a comeback due to recent tv programs like Jennifer Saunders' ''Back in the Saddle'' and similar??

 

[KatB]

I think it's just a sign of the times. Companies will only sponsor if they get something in return for their money, and reduction in tv time etc will not help attract sponsorship. Hickstead IS notoriously expensive for companies to sponsor, and perhaps doesn't give the best return... I think show centres/affiliated bodies need to have a very businesslike attitude to what return they an give to their sponsors, to make it more attractive. More and more people go to watch events/shows etc, and affiliated bodies report an increase in membership year on year, so equestrianism isn't loosing popularity, just may need to move with the times a bit more

 

[BBH]

I can't believe the Hickstead Derby will be allowed to fade as its a showcase of the equestrian calender and one of the few events that gets tv coverage albeit only Sky now that most people don't have. I think the attraction for commercial sponsors will have diminished without tv coverage on the BBC.

Yes its expensive but there are some very wealthy patrons in SJing and I think if push comes to shove someone will step in even a private individual. Lets face it some of these competitors sell horses for millions whose to say a syndicate of riders / breeders don't step in.

In answer to the question though I think that Equestrianism is about on its highest profile in years and its really important to keep the momentum going. Having said that I don't think it will ever enjoy the same opportunities as something like football as it is so inaccessible to most of the public.

 

[MandyMoo]

I think it's just a sign of the times. Companies will only sponsor if they get something in return for their money, and reduction in tv time etc will not help attract sponsorship. Hickstead IS notoriously expensive for companies to sponsor, and perhaps doesn't give the best return... I think show centres/affiliated bodies need to have a very businesslike attitude to what return they an give to their sponsors, to make it more attractive. More and more people go to watch events/shows etc, and affiliated bodies report an increase in membership year on year, so equestrianism isn't loosing popularity, just may need to move with the times a bit more

Interesting thoughts Kat, I definitely agree the reduction in tv coverage will have reduced the attractiveness of sponsorship to events..but surely Hickstead should be getting the sponsorship as it is one of the few events that gets tv coverage nowadays? But yes true I suppose it is very expensive to sponsor...hmmm, intriguing...

I can't believe the Hickstead Derby will be allowed to fade as its a showcase of the equestrian calender and one of the few events that gets tv coverage albeit only Sky now that most people don't have. I think the attraction for commercial sponsors will have diminished without tv coverage on the BBC.

Yes its expensive but there are some very wealthy patrons in SJing and I think if push comes to shove someone will step in even a private individual. Lets face it some of these competitors sell horses for millions whose to say a syndicate of riders / breeders don't step in.

In answer to the question though I think that Equestrianism is about on its highest profile in years and its really important to keep the momentum going. Having said that I don't think it will ever enjoy the same opportunities as something like football as it is so inaccessible to most of the public.

I agree, it would be a great shame to lose the Derby, it is an iconic event indeed!! But yes, reduction in BBC coverage is one main reason I feel that sponsors are losing interest - I wonder how long the BBC will continue to show Burghley/Badminton or the Olympia World Cup Qualifier and Puissance??

hmm...interesting thought about a private individual sponsoring, I agree there are a lot of wealthy individuals in the SJing world.....interesting....surely it would be strange for an individual rider to have sponsorship of the Derby though??

Definitely agree though that sadly equestrianism will never get as high a profile as football........ although, since the recent Olympics a lot of strange sports like Handball have increased in popularity..so who knows, maybe equestrianism will increase despite its lack in sponsorship? Maybe simply the Hickstead might fade, BUT the competitors/sponsors will go elsewhere and create a new but same standard/excitement as the Derby?

 

[lloyd]

What exactly has the BSJA been doing in the last 20 years to promote showjumping ?

They need to invest in PR and change the publics opinion of the sport.

Lloyd.

 

[dominobrown]

Horse sport has always had rubbish prize money in terms of what you have to invest and the danger involved.
I can't believe how much dart or snooker players get, and watching snooker makes watching paint dry look fascinating.

 

[VRIN]

I don't like watching snooker or darts but equally although really interested in equestrianism I find watching SJ - on the whole - equally boring. There are few 'personalities' any more. This is a job for most of the top competitors and they often give the impression they are 'bored' by their job. I don't think Peter Charles helped the cause in his interview during the Olympics either.

At Olympia there were few competitiors in the Puissance which in years gone by has been a real crowd puller. Ben Maher did an excellent job and won himself a lot of support .. but still it lacked the excitement that you need to pull the general public in.

Whilst I don't want to suggest that falling off/refusals etc are the way forward, at least it used to add a little uncertainty to the sport.

 

[showjumpingfilly]

See I am a showjumper through and through - and whilst I can sit for hours watching it - watching it on the tv just doesnt thrill me - its too easy to turnover. Plus, the bits you want to see - like at HOYS more of the young rider ir pony classes in my case - they bArely mention. The jump off is a bit more exciting but the whole image needs revamping.

I have to say though, that following olympic fever, i think now is the best time to push into the public eye. Look at dressage - nobody was interested in it til the 'dancing horses' came out - you've got to grab their attention.

 

[Rambo]

The Hickstead Derby has been sponsored by people on the 'inside' for years as has much of the equestrian sports. Carpetright and DFS (Lord's Harris and Kirkham) fund the sport to the tune of millions ££££'s every year through their companies, trust funds and the like. It was in no small part their efforts that bankrolled the Olympic SJ'ing efforts last year too. All the 'Hello' horses are theirs. Lord Harris goes back to the days of Queensway Carpets and sponsoring David Broome.

The recently relaunched Superleague Nations Cup competition is funded by the Saudi Equestrian Fund...there cannot be much of a commercial justification for this sort of financial input, it comes down to wealthy individuals funding their sport and the Saudi's needed to make sure there was still a top-level competition for their riders (on their hugely expensive horses purchased by the Saudi Equestrian Fund) to compete in.

 

[stencilface]

Does anyone think after the success of the SJ team at the Olympics - a gold medal FFS - that it stands a chance of being put back on the BBC, or any other normal channel? Eventing seems to get loads of coverage in comparison (although still not that much), is that the royal effect perhaps?

If only we could persuade princess Beatrice or A N Other to take up SJ? Just a thought!

 

[BBH]

The Hickstead Derby has been sponsored by people on the 'inside' for years as has much of the equestrian sports. Carpetright and DFS (Lord's Harris and Kirkham) fund the sport to the tune of millions ££££'s every year through their companies, trust funds and the like. It was in no small part their efforts that bankrolled the Olympic SJ'ing efforts last year too. All the 'Hello' horses are theirs. Lord Harris goes back to the days of Queensway Carpets and sponsoring David Broome.

The recently relaunched Superleague Nations Cup competition is funded by the Saudi Equestrian Fund...there cannot be much of a commercial justification for this sort of financial input, it comes down to wealthy individuals funding their sport and the Saudi's needed to make sure there was still a top-level competition for their riders (on their hugely expensive horses purchased by the Saudi Equestrian Fund) to compete in.

Lord Harris' DFS sponsorship was eye brow raised by the city and shareholders as an unnecessary expense when the company was in a profits warning situation. You can't really argue that SJing is such a huge audience pull that its bound to increase sales of carpets. Having said that £100k in terms of national marketing is not such a vast figure in the great scheme of things.

As for TV coverage and personalities there definitely are some in SJing but unfortunately for us most of them will be competing in the classes so can't commentate. It would be hard to argue that Geoff Billington isn't a personality and I think they should make far greater use of Tim Stockdale.

I do agree though that even for die hard fans watching round after round can be tedious and therefore it is doubly important to have personalities commentating and being interviewed. Interestingly the last two characters to come out of recent events are Italians.


There are plenty out there Matt Malin, Nick Brooks Ward, Steven Wild but until the 'old boys' network is broken down you'll still get the same boring offerings. I mean even David Broom is new chairman of BS, know there's no denying his involvement but what about some new blood to get the sport really functioning like a business.

 

[BBH]

Does anyone think after the success of the SJ team at the Olympics - a gold medal FFS - that it stands a chance of being put back on the BBC, or any other normal channel? Eventing seems to get loads of coverage in comparison (although still not that much), is that the royal effect perhaps?

If only we could persuade princess Beatrice or A N Other to take up SJ? Just a thought!

Would be lovely to think there would be more BBC coverage but there is such a pull on airtime available and SJing is a minority sport. I see Mike Tucker is now going to commentate for the Rolex grand slam so maybe more eventing coverage which I guess you could argue covers a bit of all disciplines for equestrians.

The real pukka SJing is no longer in this country. Prize money is pants and we just don't have the money to put on huge extravaganza's. Most high profile jumping and big name's are at GCT's in Europe and Wellington for the winter season.

Even Windsor no longer attracts big names, it now seems to be the jobbing british sj'ers making up the classes and you could watch any of them at your local equestrian centre.

 

[TarrSteps]

Rambo's point is very important. Equestrian sport has never been a 'professional' sport like football or golf and it's not hard to figure out why. The UK did have a 'Golden Age', for sure, but that was very specific to this culture and not reflected in the rest of the world or the more global outlook now.

It is, and always has been, a hobby sport paid for by wealthy players.

I do think horsey organisations don't always do the sport any favours but high grade professional help with marketing etc is expensive and would require some real changes in the sport to make it more 'popular'. On the other side, organisations like the FEI make their sponsorship money precisely because of the sport's elitist profile. In some ways the sport is lucky, as its always been the playground of the '1%' who are virtually recession proof. But a lot of the more ordinary sponsorship has been directed at the upwardly mobile. . .not necessarily a good use of advertising dollars in these belt tightening times!

 

[ClobellsandBaubles]

The big shows on the continent and in the US seem to have plenty of snazzy sponsors. What do they do that we don't do here?

 

[MandyMoo]

What exactly has the BSJA been doing in the last 20 years to promote showjumping ?

They need to invest in PR and change the publics opinion of the sport.

Lloyd.

Horse sport has always had rubbish prize money in terms of what you have to invest and the danger involved.
I can't believe how much dart or snooker players get, and watching snooker makes watching paint dry look fascinating.

See I am a showjumper through and through - and whilst I can sit for hours watching it - watching it on the tv just doesnt thrill me - its too easy to turnover. Plus, the bits you want to see - like at HOYS more of the young rider ir pony classes in my case - they bArely mention. The jump off is a bit more exciting but the whole image needs revamping.

I have to say though, that following olympic fever, i think now is the best time to push into the public eye. Look at dressage - nobody was interested in it til the 'dancing horses' came out - you've got to grab their attention.

I agree with all these points, I think the equestrian sporting world needs to promote the sports as much as they can, and as showjumpingfilly said, catch the publics attention - the general public really aren't going to find watching 90odd competitors jump round the same set of fences over and over....more attention needs to be paid to the jump offs, and the other classes at the big events (for example HOYS and Olympia) to make it more well rounded to watch.

Does anyone think after the success of the SJ team at the Olympics - a gold medal FFS - that it stands a chance of being put back on the BBC, or any other normal channel? Eventing seems to get loads of coverage in comparison (although still not that much), is that the royal effect perhaps?

If only we could persuade princess Beatrice or A N Other to take up SJ? Just a thought!

Hmmm, interesting thought about the Royal Influence, it could have some merit. However, I also think eventing gets more coverage because, as a SJer I am bitter saying this eventing is more fun to watch on tv....probably the main reason is the cross country - and I feel this is the main element of equestrianism that attracts the general public (maybe, negatively upsettingly, as a lot of people 'enjoy' the falls/refusals which I frankly find upsetting, especially when the BBC reels off a load of horrendous Cottesmore Leap falls in a row...)...but hey ho, I digress, hopefully the Olympics will have increased equestrianism in the general public..however I don't think interviews like Peter Charles will have raised peoples opinions on horse riders.......

Rambo's point is very important. Equestrian sport has never been a 'professional' sport like football or golf and it's not hard to figure out why. The UK did have a 'Golden Age', for sure, but that was very specific to this culture and not reflected in the rest of the world or the more global outlook now.

It is, and always has been, a hobby sport paid for by wealthy players.

I do think horsey organisations don't always do the sport any favours but high grade professional help with marketing etc is expensive and would require some real changes in the sport to make it more 'popular'. On the other side, organisations like the FEI make their sponsorship money precisely because of the sport's elitist profile. In some ways the sport is lucky, as its always been the playground of the '1%' who are virtually recession proof. But a lot of the more ordinary sponsorship has been directed at the upwardly mobile. . .not necessarily a good use of advertising dollars in these belt tightening times!

Very true Tarrsteps, I think the main problem is that it is a money sport (as much as we all like to deny it, it really is...you need money to get right to the top. Obviously there are the odd few fairytale stories, but they are few and far inbetween).

 

[Mellis]

It's not the grass roots that are feeling these losses, but mostly professional riders, personally I support riding for the pleasure of being with horses. As I am not a competitive person I doubt I understand the mentality. I would hate to see big shows lost, but times move on. The Olympics have seen a huge financial input to equestrianism. So there is some hope for the future.

 

[stencilface]

Hmmm, interesting thought about the Royal Influence, it could have some merit. However, I also think eventing gets more coverage because, as a SJer I am bitter saying this eventing is more fun to watch on tv....probably the main reason is the cross country - and I feel this is the main element of equestrianism that attracts the general public (maybe, negatively upsettingly, as a lot of people 'enjoy' the falls/refusals which I frankly find upsetting, especially when the BBC reels off a load of horrendous Cottesmore Leap falls in a row...)...but hey ho, I digress, hopefully the Olympics will have increased equestrianism in the general public..however I don't think interviews like Peter Charles will have raised peoples opinions on horse riders.......

Maybe there needs to be an introduction of a 'fun' class at Hickstead to replicate the kind of classes they do at HOYS/Olympia, like a scurry or something, or any of the silly Geoff B events iykwim. Something where there is a risk of falling off/excitement, but without any real danger as such?

I don't know why they don't televise Bramham tbh, the mix and match class there (an eventer does about 7 XC fences from the 3* in including the water, and relays to a showjumper who has to do a tight and twisty sj round) is brilliant to watch, difficult to appreciate it all as a live spectator, but would televise really well I imagine

 

[kc100]

Why do people watch Formula 1, where the cars go round and round, doing laps of the same circuit? In the hope that there is a crash, or at least some exciting overtaking where it all gets a bit close and scary for a moment. Hence why eventing (cross country) is always going to get more coverage on TV, because there is the element of danger. I know us horsey lot dont like seeing the falls and seeing the horses hurt is awful, but human's by nature are a bit sadistic, they want to see humans go up in balls of flames at 200mph on a formula 1 circuit, so seeing a human fall off a horse is equally exciting.

My boyfriend is a perfect example of someone who will occasionally watch something equestrian on tv - but only when it is exciting. He will fall asleep if he's made to watch rounds of showjumping, but in the Olympic jump off he was cheering and on the edge of his seat. He loves watching the puissance at Olympia, but nothing else. He loves watching the cross country and wants to see the falls. But he has no interest in dressage (unlucky for me as that is what I compete in!) or your standard showjumping rounds until it is the jump off.

Equestrian sports by nature are very repetitive, therefore not that much fun to watch unless you are a horsey person yourself and will happily watch anything with a horse in it. I think more of the larger shows need more exciting events like the puissance, and we may well have to accept that showjumping is just not exciting viewing until it gets to the jump off and that is all that is shown.

The BBC never used to show F1 practice sessions, I know SJ rounds are not quite 'practice' but they are not the final event either, not many people are interested in watching any sport until it gets to the final - I mean how many of us watched the qualifying rounds for Mo Farrah at last year's Olympics? I bet it is a handful. But when it comes to the finals, we are all there gluded to our TV screens.

So if the bigger shows had more than just generic 'round' based SJ and offered more for the viewers, they could easily put together higlights programmes with the exciting events in full and then just the jump off's for the big SJ classes.

And someone needs to sort out the puissance next year at Olympia, last year's was embarassing and only saved by the wonderful Ben Maher. If they are going to enter they need to commit to going the distance, too many use it as a warm up now and it was boring to watch. If they enter they should go as far as they can and make it a real competition, none of this retiring nonsense unless the horse it not sound.

 

[BBH]

There was a thread in NL about this years disappointing Puissance. We were there on the night and there just wasn't enough jumping for your money so we'll go for something else this year.

I fully understand not wanting to damage horse and rider but if the format is such that only 2 / 3 go the distance then it needs changing and yes BM was fabulous.

Perhaps I'm weird but I never watch any sport hoping for injury or loss of life be it motor sport or equestrian. I think you can have excitement without mortal drama.

Think the idea of jump off only is very good, it is tedious watching round after round of the same thing and hearing the commentator say the same old thing for every combination.

 

[Kat]

Why do people watch Formula 1, where the cars go round and round, doing laps of the same circuit? In the hope that there is a crash, or at least some exciting overtaking where it all gets a bit close and scary for a moment. Hence why eventing (cross country) is always going to get more coverage on TV, because there is the element of danger. I know us horsey lot dont like seeing the falls and seeing the horses hurt is awful, but human's by nature are a bit sadistic, they want to see humans go up in balls of flames at 200mph on a formula 1 circuit, so seeing a human fall off a horse is equally exciting.

My boyfriend is a perfect example of someone who will occasionally watch something equestrian on tv - but only when it is exciting. He will fall asleep if he's made to watch rounds of showjumping, but in the Olympic jump off he was cheering and on the edge of his seat. He loves watching the puissance at Olympia, but nothing else. He loves watching the cross country and wants to see the falls. But he has no interest in dressage (unlucky for me as that is what I compete in!) or your standard showjumping rounds until it is the jump off.

Equestrian sports by nature are very repetitive, therefore not that much fun to watch unless you are a horsey person yourself and will happily watch anything with a horse in it. I think more of the larger shows need more exciting events like the puissance, and we may well have to accept that showjumping is just not exciting viewing until it gets to the jump off and that is all that is shown.

The BBC never used to show F1 practice sessions, I know SJ rounds are not quite 'practice' but they are not the final event either, not many people are interested in watching any sport until it gets to the final - I mean how many of us watched the qualifying rounds for Mo Farrah at last year's Olympics? I bet it is a handful. But when it comes to the finals, we are all there gluded to our TV screens.

So if the bigger shows had more than just generic 'round' based SJ and offered more for the viewers, they could easily put together higlights programmes with the exciting events in full and then just the jump off's for the big SJ classes.

And someone needs to sort out the puissance next year at Olympia, last year's was embarassing and only saved by the wonderful Ben Maher. If they are going to enter they need to commit to going the distance, too many use it as a warm up now and it was boring to watch. If they enter they should go as far as they can and make it a real competition, none of this retiring nonsense unless the horse it not sound.

Agree, I watched quite a lot of olympia on Eurosport this year but even as a fan I was starting to get bored with round after round over the same fences.

I think to really get the viewers the tv coverage needs to reflect the content of the event a bit more and show the fun stuff. Seeing classes like the puissance, 6 bar, scurry etc but also showing some of the "entertainment" too. HOYS and Olympia could offer a really good high profile programme that would appeal not just to the die hard horsey types but also to the wider public. It needs a few good presenters, some really exciting comentators and a balance of entertainment and sport. Claire Balding does a fabulous job but could do with more help, getting some of the more entertaining riders on board is a great plan, tim stockdale and geoff billington being great examples but perhas they could also do with someone who is a bit more of celeb to draw to the general public in. Someone who knows a reasonable amount about horses but who is there more for the non-horsey public, someone with some humour who can liven things up a bit without being completely inane.

I also think that some of the british riders need a bit of a shake up and some lessons in PR. They need to watch some of the SJ from "the good old days" and think about showing a bit more character and being a bit more identifiable. The public like to have heros and villains and whilst they might not be able to remember names want to be able to identify competitors, that was one good thing about Ellen Whittaker's blonde ponytail!

 

[MandyMoo]

Maybe there needs to be an introduction of a 'fun' class at Hickstead to replicate the kind of classes they do at HOYS/Olympia, like a scurry or something, or any of the silly Geoff B events iykwim. Something where there is a risk of falling off/excitement, but without any real danger as such?

I don't know why they don't televise Bramham tbh, the mix and match class there (an eventer does about 7 XC fences from the 3* in including the water, and relays to a showjumper who has to do a tight and twisty sj round) is brilliant to watch, difficult to appreciate it all as a live spectator, but would televise really well I imagine

I agree, I think the tv coverage needs to include something other than just the first phase of many many many SJ rounds tbh!!

kc100 - I really quite agree actually, wise words from you!! It really is just the finals that people are interested in (like the finals in the swimming/gymnastic/boxing etc Olympics, or jump offs in equestrian sports). I really think it would be GREAT if the BBC or other mainstream tv channels created ''highlight'' programs, (I suppose sort of like the highlights they do of Burghley XC and then just the top few SJ rounds to reveal the winner), or only show jump offs or the top few first rounds. Maybe that is the way to increase coverage of equestrian sports??

There was a thread in NL about this years disappointing Puissance. We were there on the night and there just wasn't enough jumping for your money so we'll go for something else this year.

I fully understand not wanting to damage horse and rider but if the format is such that only 2 / 3 go the distance then it needs changing and yes BM was fabulous.

Perhaps I'm weird but I never watch any sport hoping for injury or loss of life be it motor sport or equestrian. I think you can have excitement without mortal drama.

Think the idea of jump off only is very good, it is tedious watching round after round of the same thing and hearing the commentator say the same old thing for every combination.

Yes, I agree, I don't watch sport for injury/danger....but I think excitement is key - like you say, the jump off only coverage of SJing I think would be great. Hmm....shame it probably wont happen?

Anyone got any connections in the BBC they fancy moaning to?

 

[Firewell]

I think it all comes down to publicity and personalities.

Tarrsteps is right, our sport is one of the few sports supported at top level by the recession proof 1% or 0.1% rich. It would be very hard to change the perception of something that is seen elitist by the public unless you have something to pull them in. Football is a totally different ball game , anyone can buy a ball and kick it around, therefore people can feel part of something that is on their level. They can dream that it could be them.

Formula one while I agree is horrendously boring is a good comparison with horse sport in terms of it's elite nature, in fact it's far more elitest than the equestrian sports so a sport being elite need not be an excuse it can be a positive IF it is marketed the right way. The thing with Formula 1 is that it is simple to understand, everyone gets it. It's a small community, everyone recognises the stars because they are rich or glamarous, they date pop stars and film stars and super models. They have pictures taken on yahts and are in the papers and magazines and on TV. The sport is dangerous, life or death.

Showjumping is just a bunch of boring old men looking miserable. There are a few personalities but it is such a hard job to them, not being paid enough so that they have to jump week in, week out. It's another day at the office. The problem is the whole sport is run by boring old men. The riders are going to have to take some of the responsibilty and some of the riders are better at being personalities than others. Eventing has Zara Phillips that is the only reason eventing gets better coverage. Dressage is slightly more glamarous with the elegant women, the sparkles and the dancing horses and most importantly the music... The public can recognise a test with music as a performance.
Showjumping in particular has to become more of a performance. In order for it to attract the public it needs glitz and gamour and excitement. The public need to recognise the rider in order to feel the excitement of rooting for them otherwise it's boring. The olympics worked because we knew who the team members were, it was easy to distinguish the British rider from the German rider. Showjumping needs glamorous young riders to become celebrities, they need to be caught on camera getting into sports cars and dating TV stars. It needs to be accessible to young riders coming up the levels so it's not just all older men. It needs to be seen as exciting. Don't show the boring first rounds, show the jump off, show the speed classes. Big billboards with 'Fastest Clear Wins!!', make it simple and easy to understand. The whole thing needs totally turning on it's head. It needs to be americanised, bigger, brighter, better. The riders need to come in and interact with the crowd, wave, cheer, smile. They need to remember that if they want more prize money they need the sport to be more popular and to be a popular sport spectators need to find a common ground with the rider.

I find when I watch showjumping it's ok for me because I understand what the commentator is talking about, they talk about the horses breeding, where it came from. They have a guest rider normally another rider talking about the stride pattern into a fence bleugh how on earth is joe public going to find that interesting? It needs to be more accessible to people who don't know anything about horses. Claire was great at the Olympics explaining to people who don't have the knowledge of horses in a simple way about the course or the horse that made it understandable.
In horse sport horsie people can be so dismissive of people who have no knowledge. That needs to change as it is joe public who hold the key to the sport being more popular. We want them sitting on the edge of their seat, holding their breath while the young woman who is dating I don't know someone off X factor, races around massive jumps in a sparkly jacket at a million miles an hour in a winning frenzy before either 1.falling off or 2. Breaking the time set by the guy who won the olympics before collapsing off her horse hugging it and crying into the camera. Lol.

Showjumping needs to take a leaf out of Dancing on Ice or Strictly.

Personally I loved the show where Tim Stockdale taught the celebrities to showjump for Comic relief those years back. That is the sort of thing to get the public involved.

Can anyone tell i'm bored at work?

 

[stencilface]

Trouble is though, if showjumping tries to be more mainstream and popular - when to me it already is the most forward thinking event with regards to dress etc - they get referred to as blinged up uncouth chavs don't they?

They have colourful jackets, but then you've only got to read some posts on here to know that those who favour the poo coloured jackets look down on anyone who's not trying to blend into a hedge etc etc.

 

[hairycob]

I always think the commentary for equestrian events on TV is dire for non-horsey people. Non-horsey OH says it's like being stuck in a room where everybody except you knows what's being talked about & asks either me to translate or wanders off. And that's someone who has picked up a fair bit by hanging around at shows/PC rallies.
He would like to have commentators who explain what's going on etc in laymans terms. He thinks Clare Balding is great for this, Mike Tucker is "that boring posh bloke". Why are certain types of jump tricky, what's the particular difficulty with that combination, what does the rider actually do other than sit & steer - that sort of thing.
He would also be engaged by more imaginative camera work. Watching Olympia he said that things like the Puissance / triple combinations are just crying out for helmet cams to emphasise the height or speed that fences come up at you.

 

[measles]

I really need to learn how to do the multiple quotes thing as there are so many valid points made already.

I've been a member of BS for over 30 years and agree wholeheartedly that opportunities to engage and enthuse those on the perifery and outside the sport are lost regularly. Quite why more is not made of the fun classes to entice people to watch, pony, junior and young rider classes etc while retaining the feature classes is a mystery. I completely agree that good commentators are needed, ones who are knowledgable as well as accessible and fun. And why competitors do not realise that a smile, acknowledgement of the crowd and pat for the horse will not help the sport escapes me as well.

There is huge scope for our sports to be brought up to date without cheapening them or losing the sense of what is unique about each. Let's hope that those who can be of influence realise that before it is too late.

 

[BBH]

I think the problem is that for years there have been forums and communications littered with the issues of declining SJing and some really good suggestions made for improvement but absolutely nothing has changed and until you get rid of or reduce the old boys network and being in fresh talent to run it as a business and inject some life and personality about it it never will. The wheels of change have become stuck.


The debacle of Windsor should have been a turning point.

 

[Kat]

I think it all comes down to publicity and personalities.

Tarrsteps is right, our sport is one of the few sports supported at top level by the recession proof 1% or 0.1% rich. It would be very hard to change the perception of something that is seen elitist by the public unless you have something to pull them in. Football is a totally different ball game , anyone can buy a ball and kick it around, therefore people can feel part of something that is on their level. They can dream that it could be them.

Formula one while I agree is horrendously boring is a good comparison with horse sport in terms of it's elite nature, in fact it's far more elitest than the equestrian sports so a sport being elite need not be an excuse it can be a positive IF it is marketed the right way. The thing with Formula 1 is that it is simple to understand, everyone gets it. It's a small community, everyone recognises the stars because they are rich or glamarous, they date pop stars and film stars and super models. They have pictures taken on yahts and are in the papers and magazines and on TV. The sport is dangerous, life or death.

Showjumping is just a bunch of boring old men looking miserable. There are a few personalities but it is such a hard job to them, not being paid enough so that they have to jump week in, week out. It's another day at the office. The problem is the whole sport is run by boring old men. The riders are going to have to take some of the responsibilty and some of the riders are better at being personalities than others. Eventing has Zara Phillips that is the only reason eventing gets better coverage. Dressage is slightly more glamarous with the elegant women, the sparkles and the dancing horses and most importantly the music... The public can recognise a test with music as a performance.
Showjumping in particular has to become more of a performance. In order for it to attract the public it needs glitz and gamour and excitement. The public need to recognise the rider in order to feel the excitement of rooting for them otherwise it's boring. The olympics worked because we knew who the team members were, it was easy to distinguish the British rider from the German rider. Showjumping needs glamorous young riders to become celebrities, they need to be caught on camera getting into sports cars and dating TV stars. It needs to be accessible to young riders coming up the levels so it's not just all older men. It needs to be seen as exciting. Don't show the boring first rounds, show the jump off, show the speed classes. Big billboards with 'Fastest Clear Wins!!', make it simple and easy to understand. The whole thing needs totally turning on it's head. It needs to be americanised, bigger, brighter, better. The riders need to come in and interact with the crowd, wave, cheer, smile. They need to remember that if they want more prize money they need the sport to be more popular and to be a popular sport spectators need to find a common ground with the rider.

I find when I watch showjumping it's ok for me because I understand what the commentator is talking about, they talk about the horses breeding, where it came from. They have a guest rider normally another rider talking about the stride pattern into a fence bleugh how on earth is joe public going to find that interesting? It needs to be more accessible to people who don't know anything about horses. Claire was great at the Olympics explaining to people who don't have the knowledge of horses in a simple way about the course or the horse that made it understandable.
In horse sport horsie people can be so dismissive of people who have no knowledge. That needs to change as it is joe public who hold the key to the sport being more popular. We want them sitting on the edge of their seat, holding their breath while the young woman who is dating I don't know someone off X factor, races around massive jumps in a sparkly jacket at a million miles an hour in a winning frenzy before either 1.falling off or 2. Breaking the time set by the guy who won the olympics before collapsing off her horse hugging it and crying into the camera. Lol.

Showjumping needs to take a leaf out of Dancing on Ice or Strictly.

Personally I loved the show where Tim Stockdale taught the celebrities to showjump for Comic relief those years back. That is the sort of thing to get the public involved.

Can anyone tell i'm bored at work?

I agree with so much of this.

That was one reason I suggested having a non-horsey presenter (in my mind I'm using Richard Hammond) someone who can ask the main presenter (claire balding) the questions the general public want to know, who can make some entertaining quips, comment on who is dating who and who is in the audience and which rider is grumpy or a ladies man and which horse likes polos or bit his groom. Someone who can also shout and get excited and cheer or groan.

I totally agree that the riders should be coming in and smiling and waving and doing the same on the way out. Mary King is an excellent example of someone who can be identifiable, and engage the crowd without going OTT.

I think that the dress could be kept reasonably traditional whilst allowing easier identification of the competitor and the nationality. A flag and the riders name on the back or on the arm perhaps. Again the commentators help with identification by saying "this rider always wears a red and blue hat" or whatever.

Trying to make the horse's names more accessible would help too, Big Star and Tripple X are so much easier for the public than some of the mouthfuls we have heard in recent years.

Some of the shows could also try to host some glamorous receptions where those attending can watch from special seating areas and try to attract names to them, to try and glamourise spectating. So it becomes a bit "ladies day" and the place to be seen. This could help bring in revenue (by sales of high end tickets) but also a few press photos of a celeb in a skimpy dress in front of the sponsor's name would help attract sponsors.

There are possibilities but everyone concerned needs to be involved and onboard. It doesn't have to be too blingy or chavvy either, it just needs to become more viewer friendly.

Oh and I agree that the "only fools on horses" programme tim stockdale did was great, as was the other one he did, "Faking it". Perhaps there is some scope there for a novelty event at one of the big shows which could be televised....

 

[Kat]

He would also be engaged by more imaginative camera work. Watching Olympia he said that things like the Puissance / triple combinations are just crying out for helmet cams to emphasise the height or speed that fences come up at you.

Brilliant idea!

 

[BBH]

An example of how SJing is not considered an inclusive sport.

From The Mail columnist last weekend.

' Lord and Lady Harris have contributed so much to British showjumping as has Lady Kirkham' says the commentator at the Olympic Equestrian Venue'

So it really is the people's games then ( sic ).

 

[MandyMoo]

He would also be engaged by more imaginative camera work. Watching Olympia he said that things like the Puissance / triple combinations are just crying out for helmet cams to emphasise the height or speed that fences come up at you.

Brilliant idea!!!

I really need to learn how to do the multiple quotes thing as there are so many valid points made already.

I've been a member of BS for over 30 years and agree wholeheartedly that opportunities to engage and enthuse those on the perifery and outside the sport are lost regularly. Quite why more is not made of the fun classes to entice people to watch, pony, junior and young rider classes etc while retaining the feature classes is a mystery. I completely agree that good commentators are needed, ones who are knowledgable as well as accessible and fun. And why competitors do not realise that a smile, acknowledgement of the crowd and pat for the horse will not help the sport escapes me as well.

There is huge scope for our sports to be brought up to date without cheapening them or losing the sense of what is unique about each. Let's hope that those who can be of influence realise that before it is too late.

haha measles, you just click the button next to ''quote'' it has like a ''+'' symbol? you can select multiple quotes and then click ''post reply'' and it'll transfer them all to your reply

But as to your comment, I really do agree, more focus needs to be on the ''funner'' classes for the general public to get involved with, and the commentary needs to be more basic and fun, not just a drone about a horses breeding and ''oh, a little deep to that'' ''what a difficult combination this is, she rode very quietly there'' etc etc

Lots of food for thought here...