Ways to promote Saddleseat lessons in hunter jumper land?

[StephsBlondy]

Ok I am all out of ideas and need help. We are tring to get a Saddleseat lesson program up off the ground but we are in an area that is nothing but hunter jumper. What are some ways others have been able to promote saddleseat lessons in areas like this?
We have tried flyers adds in the paper ect...
Thanks

[VLayne]

If there are any horse expos coming up, bring your Saddlebreds and hand out coupons for a free lesson.

Give your existing lesson customers a free lesson for each new customer they bring you.

Contact schools, daycares and churches nearby and offer your farm for tours and "a day with the horses." Send the kids home with great memories, loads of information and... coupons.

Create a website that outlines all the positive aspects of riding and working with horses, along with the additional positives of "why Saddle Seat."

Get postcards made and put them in mailboxes of homes near your farm - again, with a coupon offer. Mention farm tours, birthday parties, day camps...

Yellow pages box ad and flyers at the tack store that mentions some areas you can offer better and/or different services... maybe tiny tot lesson program (most barns won't do little tots), you support SBR (if you do), family nights, something that will be attractive to people new to horses or those who are dissatisfied with their current lesson barn.

There are two types of customers you need to go after, and both require slightly different strategies. The customer who is completely new to horses - they have no clue about different disciplines and will be more open to SS if you make it attractive (good for your health, balanced seat that can adapt to any other seat, family time, tiny tot program, safe horses, etc). Then there is the customer who is already in a hunt/jump riding program. Those will be much harder, because not only do you have to "steal" someone's customer, you also have to convert them. That is unlikely unless you're the only other barn around and they don't want to give up riding.

So I'd focus primarily on the NEW customer - finding and attracting them. And you'll find them in locations NOT horse related. Maybe a pet expo, a county fair - there are lots of areas you can set up a small display, have photos and video, brochures and coupons. Get a fishbowl and hold a drawing for a free lesson - you'll get LOTS of people's names and heck, give them ALL a free lesson! Put up flyers at the grocery store, a nail salon, sporting goods store... sometimes if you talk to the owners, they'll work with you to promote your business to their customers since you aren't competing. It can't hurt to ask!

[JLWmassage]

Look into the IEA. And of course take your students to the horse shows. Parents want to send their kids to barns where the students place well.

[SaddlebredMom]

Ok I am all out of ideas and need help. We are tring to get a Saddleseat lesson program up off the ground but we are in an area that is nothing but hunter jumper. What are some ways others have been able to promote saddleseat lessons in areas like this?
We have tried flyers adds in the paper ect...
Thanks

I feel your pain . . . :crying:

I've sent you a PM.

[D_BaldStockings]

If you offer introductory lessons for adults (moms, for example) that is a selling point, too. There are plenty of people who never got their childhood dream of riding horses.

Promote the healthy exercise, close to nature (hey, it's a horse!), sociable aspects to appeal to people with desk jobs and whose kids are videogamers. What is missing in their lives and how can your program help them fill those needs?

[chelseab2005]

Also, try to market the difference between saddleseat and hunter/jumper. Play up to the "worry wart" parents with the "horse doesn't leave the ground" angle. Give them a reason to choose SS over H/J. Show them tapes of the big shows like Lexington, Louisville, Midwest, the Royal, etc. Show those who may not want to ride SS that they can still use an ASB in H/J. You could even direct them here so that they can see what us SS people are like.

[StephsBlondy]

Thanks! This is a bunch of great ideas! Please keep them comming!!
Thanks Again!

[JLWmassage]

Why not plan an Open Barn. See if you can get some local vendors to set a booths and have stuff to sell. And have a promotion where if they sign up for lessons that day they will get a free 1/2 hour lesson.:drool:

[Iwannahorse]

You know the old saying..."If you can't beat'em join'em"

I see promoting the versatility of the ASB and that they can be ridden hunt seat and jump, etc. Perhaps you could add that aspect to your current program..do you have a hunt seat saddle..or is it the horse aspect..although if lesson horses..I'm sure they could be adaptable to go "both ways".

Where I ride they have a lot of young kids..that all ride hunt seat...I think more people relate to horse=forward seat, obviously due to lack of enlightenment. But, as these kids see the SS riders or by people like "me" encouraging them to go SS...little by little what perhaps started out "safe", is now getting a little more exciting and it is seen as progressing to "show horses". Also, when they see us going to shows. I think they get a little envious although a few have shown Academy hunt seat too.

So, the more I think about it..I see it as an introduction to the breed's versatility rather than the discipline...for the time being anyway!!:euro:

Then, once you have your captive audience...always be working one or more horses to get the ohhh's and ahhhh's when they see a gaited horse strutting their stuff. Your bound to attract some new thrill seekers!! Driving too...something a parent could do...your never too "old" to drive and maybe some have always had a love for horses but just don't picture themselves up on one...or they are living vicariously through their kids interest in horses???


Just a few thoughts...

[lshiely]

I agree with the idea of trying to have people see the show horses working when they are out to the barn. I starting riding western when I was little, my family knew nothing about horses other than that I loved them, and once I started seeing the fancy saddleseat saddlebreds I HAD to ride one of those! Much to my disappoinment, when I came out for my first saddleseat lesson, it was the same lesson horse I had been riding for a year western, with the saddleseat saddle on him. I was only 8, I thought I was going to ride one of the fancy ones right away, lol.

I have seen many people new to horses just go nuts when they attend their first horses show, and start asking about buying horses. They get very excited!

[fiasco]

You should stress that saddleseat and Saddlebreds don't have to be expensive.

Granted, someone who is doing H/J circuits knows from expensive, but the non-horsey or recreational rider may look at saddleseat as exotic and therefore out-of-reach.

[StephsBlondy]

Thank You all for great Ideas!! I have so much to do not I can't hardly wait!!!! To excited!!!! I will keep you posted! Thanks again

[JLWmassage]

I would also like to ad that H/J people tend to think that Saddle Seat is an abusive discipline, so you may want to type a flyer with a brief history on it. Example I am working at a Hunter barn and there is was a women who was boarding her Park Morgan and she was asked to leave because the barn manager did not want the kids to see how a Park horse is trained. :thumbdown:

[D_BaldStockings]

I would also like to ad that H/J people tend to think that Saddle Seat is an abusive discipline, so you may want to type a flyer with a brief history on it. Example I am working at a Hunter barn and there is was a women who was boarding her Park Morgan and she was asked to leave because the barn manager did not want the kids to see how a Park horse is trained. :thumbdown:

What methods, or actions specifically did the BM object to?

[JLWmassage]

Everything, Tail sets, heavy shoes and chains ETC... I think the BM did not want the kids to get interested in Saddle Seat and leave the barn

[VLayne]

I am boarding at a barn that is mostly dressage and hunt riders, so there is a bit of "behind the scenes talk" about what I do.

I've encouraged everyone to ask me questions if they see anything they don't understand, and the few people who have, have at least been open minded enough to see logic behind the methods. They may not agree with the method or ever want to use it, but at least they understand why it's done and that it's not abusive.

[Tazsprout]

I think one important marketing issue is to lose the focus on "what kind of saddle are you sitting in?" If you teach a good balance seat (legs not too far out in front!) everything someone learns at a "SS" barn is transferable (with tweaks!) to any other type of riding one might want to do. I'd get some all purpose wintecs so that the beginners don't have to start on the flat saddles.

Most general horse people don't know much about SS riding (they only know the hyper extreme -- and weird --things one sees happening in the show ring). So I would emphasis "general riding skills" "balance seat" "go where you want to go and do what you want to do"

(I'd also have fun with something like "learn to ride a horse that was actually bred to be ridden" which is a sly dig at all of us -- including me -- who ride horses bred for racing..those who ride horses bred to tell the cow "whoa" and those bred to take German artillery over rough country.... but I'm not sure many people would get it..)

Bear in mind there are tons of people who want to ride, but don't want to jump. These are your target! They just want to be able to go around and to have fun hanging out with the horses.

These folks may or may not ever have any interest in showing. So I think that is the aspect of the experience to emphasize. Sadly the general public's view of SS showing is not so positive, so I'm not sure I would START with "come show with us!" You can always GET there once they see the other side of SBs.

[D_BaldStockings]

(I'd also have fun with something like "learn to ride a horse that was actually bred to be ridden" which is a sly dig at all of us -- including me -- who ride horses bred for racing..those who ride horses bred to tell the cow "whoa" and those bred to take German artillery over rough country.... but I'm not sure many people would get it..)


Ain't it the truth!!!:tongue_smilie:

[SmartAlex]

Since we've mentioned the breed that was bred to be ridden, why not emphasize the "American" part of it too? Too bad the Fourth of July has come and gone. You could have had a patriotic special.

[D_BaldStockings]

Food works:

Open Barn lesson demo and 'What you can do riding Saddleseat talk" with a $1.00 chili feed or ice cream social...etc. Have an old demo saddle on a sturdy stand for them to 'dry run'.

Sign 'em up for a FUN ride/lesson later THAT DAY! Give rain checks to those who can't but want to.

[attafox]

Kids love riding bareback ... but that scares parents. Saddle seat is the closest thing to riding bareback -but has stirrups - that they'll find - that's really appealing to kids.

[showhorse4me]

I have recently done the free riding lesson coupon and I have to say that I received a lot of calls and taught a fair amount of "free" lessons and only a couple bought packages and I don't currently have anyone still in the program that started with a free lesson. After talking to several trainers about this, it seems the consensus was to not start out with something that has no value and people will always be looking for a discount or something for free. After doing it anyway, I have to agree. I will probably never do the free lesson thing again. Most of my new lessons come from summer camp programs or recommendations from the local feed store. If you are on a main road, a $50 banner on the fence was my best advertisement. I signed up lots of lessons and campers off the banner. I have also done double-sided signs that stick in the ground at strategic intersections and by the elementary school. The banner and the signs give me the most bang for my buck. I also do birthday parties (at the farm). It's extra Sunday money and I usually get a few lessons from them.

[showhorse4me]

Also, instead of starting a new thread since this is similar...are any of you having problems with current students taking "breaks" because of the rising cost of gas? In my first camp, I had 3 who had already paid a non-refundable deposit drop out because of gas prices and I just had one today drop out of the next camp (current student, deposit paid). Today's student- her dad sells cars and her mom's work is cutting back. This is considered a luxury item and is one of the first things cut when things get tight. Any thoughts?

[VLayne]

Maybe find a way to be able to offer cheaper lessons?

Kid can work off a portion of the lesson.
Offer group lessons.
Offer a shorter lesson.


Or, offer "more" for the same price.

Offer an "expanded" lesson that includes time spent on the farm cleaning tack, observing the farrier or vet, assisting with grooming, etc. The kid stays longer so the parents have time to run errands while the kid is there.
Offer more aggressively priced packages.
Work to set up car pool groups where kids from the same area of town ride out together for a group lesson.

[JLWmassage]

I do realize that we are getting a little off topic, but as a massage therapist in this economy I have had to think outside of the boxs to bring in new clients. I a clients referal program send my 3 new clients and I will give you a free one hour massage. I signed up to become a preffered provider with health insurance co. And I am also offering spa party's for bridal & baby showers. I have an email list of past and current clients and I send out specials that way. And I request the people book out atleast 2-3 appointments with me. I would also like to ad that I target people who have an income of $80,000 + per year. I have learned over the years that people in this income bracket are the ones that come and see me on a regular basis.

You can pay to list broker and they will give you names of people in your area who have an interest in what you are offering who are in that $80,000 income bracket.

[jslilley]

Also, instead of starting a new thread since this is similar...are any of you having problems with current students taking "breaks" because of the rising cost of gas? In my first camp, I had 3 who had already paid a non-refundable deposit drop out because of gas prices and I just had one today drop out of the next camp (current student, deposit paid). Today's student- her dad sells cars and her mom's work is cutting back. This is considered a luxury item and is one of the first things cut when things get tight. Any thoughts?

With a camp setting, it would be hard to offer "extended hours" but you might offer the "help out for a lower rate" route if you can afford to do that. I hate that something so positive in a child's life is the first thing cut. Is there any chance of a carpool with another student? How far out of the way is it for them to bring their child to camp? Just some thoughts. Sitting at home seems so not healthy for kids these days!

As to the promos, I agree with the natural, balanced seat approach more so than "SS". My first "lessons" were on flat shod TWHs in a western saddle. I also rode in "their" saddles as time progressed. Trying to vary things was a good thing in life that I learned from a young age. I've had Appys, Arabs, and now an ASB. I've been around QH, Paints, NSH, Pasos & TB. To have an open mind really helps when dealing with the public. Let us know how it goes and what worked best for you.

[showhorse4me]

I absolutely offer carpooling. I live a distance from the barn and have designated spots along the route where I pick up kids to come to the barn. Also, others get together and carpool from othe areas. Alot of times my offer is not taken because not everyone wants to get up as early as I need to go. I have a problem with this because I feel if they really wanted to come, then they could make the effort to get up. I'm not talking 5 or 6 in the morning. It's usually between 7:30 and 8.
I am currently charging $35 per private lesson or a package of 4 for $125. That is way cheaper than the hunter barns around and I've recently found out that several of the hunter barns also charge for rental of the lesson horse on top of the lesson price!
As for giving people a break by working off some of their lessons or board.... I have always helped people out. If camp is too much, I allow them to pay on a payment plan. If a show is too much... I get the expenses that have to be paid to the show and let them pay it off. Sometimes I'll help someone who is truly needful and give them a good discount by helping me at the show. But... I have a problem (personally) with doing this as most people will drop 50 to 100 on dinner and a movie, but don't want to pay for a lesson. I had one particular family who pleaded poverty and owned several backyard horses but wanted to ride and show Saddlebreds. For 2 years I taught 3 of them once a week for free in exchange for separating my tail hair. It started out with one of them riding and then 2 others decided to ride. No problem. Then they wanted to show and I gave them severe discounts for helping me haul. Then they decided that they were doing more for me than I was doing for them and moved down the road to another barn. The other barn wouldn't give them any discounts and lo and behold, they paid. It is so hard to tell with people about who is worthy and who is not. To me, riding is a privilege and not a right and should be treated as such.
I believe I have gotten way off the thread subject here. Sorry.

[LillianH]

Alot of the newer home developments around here have a Home Owner's Association and most of them put out some sort of newsletter. They don't seem to usually offer advertisements, but every time I've personally contacted them and asked to advertise for a fee, they take me up on it. Newsletters are great - the Parent-Teacher Organization @ elementary schools, the daycares - they love an advertiser to defray the costs of producing the newsletter. I am also contacting the private schools around here about giving a small demonstration with handouts.

I've had alot of luck with the local home schoolers also. They are very organized and have a fantastic monthly newsletter. I've been advertising in that for a few months and getting a few new families each month.

[jenimomof3]

In working to promote our upcoming horse show at Sweet Briar College (which, by the way, is a hunter/jumper barn), we have found that our county has a newly formed Department of Tourism. We partnered with the head of the department in order to help promote our show, and have done the following:

1. Hanging a banner over Main Street in our town to announce the show and invite the public. The permit is free - the only cost we had was the cost of the banner.

2. Our Dept. of Transportation is placing 2 electronic signs on the side of the major highway by the turnoff to the show this week and will leave them up until after the show. They will have the show dates/times, and website address on them. The only cost associated with this is a setup fee in the neighborhood of $100 (total) to program the signs.

3. As a result of our activities to obtain sponsors, we had a local television station (ABC affiliate) call us and ask us to come in and do a segment on a show called "Living in the Heart of Virginia" that airs daily at 12:30 p.m. (right after the noon news). We went in today and filmed the segment, which will air on 7/30, 2 days before the show. We discussed the history of the Saddlebred, activities planned for the show, and photos of past exhibitors will be featured as part of the segment as well.

4. The college has drafted press releases about the show and the activities we have planned, and they have been sent to the newspapers for publication.

5. We plan on having a booth set up with info on the Saddlebred during the show. The booth will feature the 6' ASHA posters, literature from the ASHA, back issues of Show Ring Times & Saddle & Bridle (thanks to the mags for providing copies!), and more. We are having our kids write a little statement about "Why I love the American Saddlebred", and will be putting those, along with a photo of the kids and their horses, on a poster in the booth. We feel this will make it a little more personal and interesting to the public. We are also working on putting together videos to play in the booth as well.

5. See if your county has a Department of Tourism. We are planning on providing brochures to ours so that newcomers to the county will receive a brochure outlining what the farm has to offer.

6. See if your state has a tourism website where you can advertise your farm. We have advertised our show on Virginia.org (http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?AttrID=51961) - no charge to us, and more exposure for the show and the breed. :clap: Our state's tourism website also will allow you to create a page for your farm at no charge.

7. We posted the event on every online calendar available - newspapers, television stations and magazines in our county and surrounding counties. Takes a little legwork, but I've received e-mails as a result of those calendar postings, so I know people are looking at them. Google "Events in ________" to find sites that offer free online calendars.

8. I agree with others who have said that offering a free lesson is not the best way to go. I'm wondering if maybe offering one free lesson with the purchase of 3 or 4 might be better?

I know that some of these activities are specific to the show, but you could change them around a little to fit in with advertising your barn. For example, if you're having an open house, see if your Dept. of Transportation could set up the electronic signs at strategic locations to announce the open house - a $100 or so investment might really pay off long term! Draft an interesting press release and send it to the newspapers if you're having an open house - most papers have a Lifestyles section, and are always looking for activities in the area to include.

In speaking with the folks in the studio, it was painfully clear that people just have no clue what Saddlebreds are, what we do, etc. I think they learned a lot today, and the host of the show said he plans to bring his daughter (who has been wanting a horse) to the show on Saturday to enjoy the activities. Education is key to introducing newcomers to the breed - it's a lot of work, but if you're passionate about it, your enthusiasm could become contagious. :001_smile:

[Fetch33]

I found my kids SS riding instructor on the bulletin board at Kroger! This was years ago. This week, my daughter showed SS in 4-H. The SS classes are very small, but we go out and do our thing. We also put up promotional flyers on the horse's stall and whenever we were there, we opened the stall and put a lead across so the kids attending the fair could 'pet the horsie'. Our ASB is such a good-natured fellow. He would drop his head for pats and his eyes would go all soft and drowzy looking when the kids swarmed around him. What a guy! The QH people didn't do anything like that... some even had warning signs on the stall not to pet the horse.