Techies showcase systems to spur on London’s equestrians

You might know your fetlocks from facebook but how to make the latter help the former became part of a technology workshop hosted by the London Horse Network at the prestigious 6 Mitre Passage building near the O2.

Internet marketing expert, Christina Jones, carefully guided the audience through the power of facebook and explained, “The aim was to show the members how to get more bums in saddles, improve their connection with their clients and generate more a better bank balance using the biggest social network in the World.”

Director of Stable Management, Ian Phillips also joined in the computerized debate with a demonstration of bespoke software that not only assists in lesson planning but also offered a powerful tool for daily administration, to record keeping to providing statistics when seeking funding.

Somewhat outnumbered by technophobes, the meeting, supported by Hoof, the Olympic Legacy project of the British Equestrian Federation, nonetheless drew an audience of interested members of the London Horse Network.

Newcomers to the network, Gail Jupp from Golds Green Riding School said, “It was nice to be part of a friendly group all familiar with the challenges one faces in the equestrian industry but to also leave with new ideas.”

And Gail’s daughter, Katie, added, “I realised there were many opportunities I’d never have thought of and although we’ve used facebook before we’ll now use QR codes for vouchers and coupons.”

Martine Dawlings, administrator at Trent Park Equestrian Centre, compared the software booking system to the diary system currently employed at this, the largest equestrian centre in London.

Martine explained, “I couldn’t get over how simple the computer system is and I can really see its value for any size of equestrian establishment for invoicing, veterinary tabs, lessons etc”, and admitted, “It would certainly ease the updating methods compared to our current paper lesson-booking system that takes time as you copy around a hundred names from the old hand-written sheet to the new!”

Vauxhall City Farm is already an exponent of Stable Management and Linda Hinds said, “I needed some convincing at first but I couldn’t live without it today and it is invaluable for identifying trends.”

However, since the meeting Vauxhall City Farm has set up a facebook page and Linda says, “We were so proud of ourselves and it really was as simple as Christina said but I hope we’ll be able to take this further with interactive workshops later on in the year.”

Both Ian and Christina offered their services for such and Ian added, “Using technology is all about having the confidence to try so it is like turning the tables on the instructors who are more used to encouraging riders to push their boundaries!”

Although the London Horse Network may be busy with promotional activities surrounding the London 2012 Games, London representative of the British Equestrian Federation, David Gadsby, indicated hope and said, “One of the key strengths of the London Horse Network, chaired by volunteer, Jodie Maile, is that not only has it been able to obtain the services of industry experts such as Christina and Ian, but that it responds the feedback from network members.”

If you would like to join the London Horse Network or are interested in learning how you can help drive equestrianism forward in the capital, contact Jodie Maile at jodievm@aol.com.

Or, to find your Regional Hoof Network, contact your BEF Regional Representative via www.bef.co.uk.

Christina Jones can be contacted at christina@internetmarketingthatworks.info or visit www.internetmarketingthatworks.info.

Ian Phillips is a director of www.stable-management.co.uk and www.southerncreative.co.uk. Mobile - 0781 805 5691.