Marketing position in equestrian field... does this exist???Help!

[marketingguru]

Hi there,

I am wanting to combine my marketing talents and expertise with my passion for our lovely four-legged friends. I know I am not the first horse crazy amateur to want to do this so I wanted to reach out and ask for advice. I have an extensive background in marketing, working for two major corporations one being fashion retail and the other technology.

I am realizing now life is too short to not do what you love which leads me to explore if there is a way for me to combine a love of marketing and horses. I am open to any and all advice from my fellow equestrians. Just looking to work with people who appreciate the smell of a fresh batch of fly spray!

Thanks in advance!

[furlong47]

Certainly there are opportunities for companies like larger tack shops or manufacturers, feed businesses, bigger show circuits, breed organizations, etc. If you were thinking more along the lines of marketing individual riders, trainers, or barns you might have to have your own business and handle multiple clients.

[tbchick84]

I would think there are a lot of opportunities in that area. Go to any trade show and you will find saddle reps, food reps, veterinary equipment, clothing, etc. As any horse owner knows, we buy a lot of stuff related to horses. If I were you, I’d establish a linkedin account and start reaching out to companies who sell horse products. It will get you an nice overview of what is out there.

[BigMama1]

Yes! Very large competitions or venues (think WEF, Kentucky Horse Park, Global Dressage Festival, etc) tack and apparel manufacturers and distributors, large tack retailers like Dover or Greenhawk, national federations / governing bodies, equestrian media outlets, and sports agencies who represent equestrian athletes would all have marketing staff.

Individual riders and stables rarely have someone dedicated to this job (and if they do likely have an agent), but often hire on a freelance basis to build or update websites, manage social media profiles, or develop sponsorship packages.

[joiedevie99]

@BigMama1

Yes! Very large competitions or venues (think WEF, Kentucky Horse Park, Global Dressage Festival, etc) tack and apparel manufacturers and distributors, large tack retailers like Dover or Greenhawk, national federations / governing bodies, equestrian media outlets, and sports agencies who represent equestrian athletes would all have marketing staff.

Yes. I’ll add supplement, drug, and complementary therapy (PEMF, laser, etc.) manufacturers to this list.

[vxf111]

Pharmaceutical rep

[BigMama1]

@joiedevie99

Yes. I’ll add supplement, drug, and complementary therapy (PEMF, laser, etc.) manufacturers to this list.

Likely feed companies as well

[Lucassb]

As others have noted, there are certainly marketing roles available in horse-related businesses. I would go to the websites for large professional conferences and trade shows and download the exhibitor lists; this would likely give you hundreds of companies to potentially explore. The AAEP meeting is obviously oriented toward veterinary products but would be one very large list to get you started.

[mlinky]

Also, subscribe to the Kentucky Horse Council newsletter. They pick up most horse related job openings in Kentucky. I’ve seen marketing jobs at Churchill Downs, Alltech, Kentucky Horse Park, USEF and others.

[TheHunterKid90]

Xtra Quarter Horses was just looking for a marketing person!!!

[flynride]

I recommend joining American Horse Publications, the US equine media and marketing industry’s professional organization. Membership provides educational, career, and networking opportunities. If any high-school or college-age students are reading this, there is also a robust internship and awards program for students.

If you decide to join, please use my name as the referring member.

Jennifer Bryant
Editor, USDF Connection
AHP individual member
AHP past president

[mlinky]

There are a couple of positions open at USHJA
https://www.ushja.org/about-us-and-news/careers/open-positions