Jun 03, 2023

Five Tips for Better Barn Communication this Season

USEA/Lindsay Berreth photo

The following is provided through a partnership between STRIDER and the USEA. As part of our commitment to diversity, enabling access, and building capacity throughout the industry we are pleased to provide this content to benefit the sport of eventing.

Communication is defined as the imparting or exchanging of information or news. Life with event horses often requires a great deal of information to be exchanged. From basic care to facility announcements, lesson schedules, competition plans, coordination of appointments with veterinarians, farriers, and body work professionals, there’s no shortage of information flying around.

Eventing is a team sport, but how do we ensure that the whole team knows what’s on the horizon? Are there enough hours in the day for eventing professionals to successfully communicate with their teams and existing clients while also reaching potential new clients? The short answer is yes, but it may take some adjustments to the communication systems currently in place. To step it up this season, consider some of the best practices we’ve outlined here.

1. Consider Your Goals

    What is the information you are looking to relay? Consider whether the information is urgent or is something that may need to be referenced at a later date. Those factors will play a role in how you select your method of communication.

    Let’s say you’ve mapped out your competition calendar for the coming season and want to loop your team in. Sending dates in a group text might not be the most effective way to provide an outline of what’s to come. Instead, try a shared Google Calendar which enables quick edits and can be accessed from any device.

    2. Consider Your Audience

      Missed details can cause a lot of frustration on both sides! Everyone has a preferred means of communication. For some it’s email, for others a text. Perhaps it’s a direct message on Facebook or Instagram. Across the board, the most effective way to help your audience absorb the information relayed is to deliver it in a format they can understand, and through a medium they already use.

      If your intended audience doesn’t use or regularly check their social media accounts, a direct message on Facebook or Instagram with important information is unlikely to reach them unless they are reminded to check. If you operate a training facility with clients, make sure to discuss how they will receive communications from you and your team as well as what their preferred communication method may be.

      3. Make Information Accessible

        Policies, processes, basic contact information—these are the types of details that should be easy to access. Whether it’s to make things easier for existing clients or attracting potential new ones, use your website to answer frequently asked questions. When information is clearly laid out and easy to refer to, it can save a ton of hassle. Plus, you’ll save time on all of the tedious back-and-forth texting of questions you’ve already answered.

        4. Keep it Concise

          Relay information as clearly and simply as possible. Remember how much information we are constantly bombarded with each day. If you need something to stick, pare down the details to a message that is simple and concise.

          5. Back Up Face-to-Face Interactions

            Work to have systems in place that reinforce your message. If you had a conversation about an upcoming appointment, reinforce it with something written—and make sure your intended audience knows where and how to access that written information.

            While these best practices can be helpful in building a framework for better communication, you’ll want to also consider which tools you can leverage to best get your point across. The needs of your business, or even your horse- will vary, so be sure to consider options and remember that while communication is key, it’s certainly not one size fits all.

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            Jul 03, 2024 AEC

            Two Months Until the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds

            The countdown to the 2024 United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is getting shorter and the tentative schedule is officially set! For the second year in a row, the AEC returns to the iconic Kentucky Horse Park from August 27 through September 1 and will offer 26 divisions, including brand new Starter divisions and all levels of recognized evening up through the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final.

            Jul 02, 2024 Educational Activities

            USEA Educational Activity Highlight: Sherwood Forest Hunter Pace | Sherwood Oregon | July 13, 2024

            What’s a Hunter Pace? The Sherwood Forest Equestrian Center's Hunter Pace is a cross-country-style course around Sherwood Forest over various natural obstacles/terrain. The course ends with a final treat for riders to take in stunning views of Mt. Hood with a loop through the old Far Hill Farms field. The beginning of the course will first start with a warm-up loop around show jumping obstacles in the outdoor ring at Sherwood Forest and then riders will continue directly onto the course. Sign up as a solo rider, pair, or team.

            Jul 02, 2024 Profile

            No Longer Dreaming: Claire Allen's Goal of Qualifying for USEF Eventing Young Rider Championship is Now Reality

            Claire Allen remembers when she was 11 years old, having just made the switch from the hunter/jumper ring to three-day eventing. She told her new eventing trainer that her goal was to one day compete in the United States Equestrian Federation’s Eventing Young Rider Championships.

            Jul 01, 2024 Competitions

            Alliston’s Busy Weekend, Braitling’s Reuniting with Five-Star Mount, & Kalkman’s Advanced Victory Highlight Twin Rivers Summer H.T.

            As he was finishing tacking up his horse in preparation to navigate the cross-country course at the 2024 Twin Rivers Summer Horse Trials, James Alliston expressed concern about navigating the 101 Freeway. That’s because as soon as he crossed the finish line aboard Intermediate level winner Addyson (Ampere x Nickerbocker) at 10:38 a.m. on Saturday—his fifth cross-country round of the morning with three at Preliminary and two at Intermediate—the West Coast-based five-star rider had to drive 185 miles on the 101 Freeway from Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, to San Francisco International Airport to catch a 4:35 p.m. flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

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