Ideas/Theme for an Open House

[gottagrey]

Am planning to have sort of an open house to create interest in the local h/j community. Its a top notch facility - no rated shows at the moment (can’t get dates). The facility is known for other events, less known for H/J - so want to cater to the H/J world locally.
It will be catered; thinking of having some free raffle items, maybe live music, tents…we have a h/j series there this spring/summer so will be doing the open house prior to the start of the series.

We’ll be sending out “save the date” emails/post-cards and then invites a few weeks before the open house.

We’re thinking of having some kind of a theme and my mind is blank - any suggestions?

Thanks

[NJRider]

What is the goal- new students, boarders, people to ride in the shows?
You could have the food/raffle general tour in the first part of the event then offer free schooling (with registration in advance) over your fences that includes your facility trainer doing the coaching as an intro. It would be attractive for the area riders to get a feel for your place as a potential barn to move to or show at.

[clanter]

[QUOTE=NJRider;7975991]
then offer free schooling (with registration in advance) over your fences that includes your facility trainer doing the coaching as an intro…[/QUOTE]

personally I wouldn’t do that

We (our farm and the local breed organization) did many demos and they were all show and tell events… the only demos that we were in that allowed any visitor riding were the ones held by the USDA and were basically open shows that were promoted to general public as a gateway introduction to a Horse.

From my experience, have plenty of handout material available.

As a theme> Jump to the Wild Side of horses, Hunter/Jumper… or some thing along those lines

[GotMyPony]

I agree with NJ Rider, the theme should be dependent on what your goal is and, therefore, who your target audience is. If it’s getting boarders obviously you’ll want to show off all the fabulous facilities as well as talk about/do hand-outs about your services, flexibility, etc. If it’s for showing I’d want to know if there was a particular group that appears to have the most growth potential - like young kids or older re-riders - and if there’s one particular demographic that seems to have the most potential - or that you’d prefer - I’d tailor the theme to that group.