Since our equestrian teams’ jubilant successes in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, followed almost a year later at the Europeans in 2013. When Britain topped the medal table across all the three disciplines.
With our Showjumpers making history by winning Team Gold, and in doing so becoming only the second country in the world to hold both titles. Proved to the millions who watch and compete in this sport that Team GB is well and truly on an all time high.
But how successful do we have to be to be able to see our nations equestrian heroes and deservedly so, on national and international newspaper columns?
The big and often inadequately answered question remains. Why do British Press editors refuse to offer regular equine coverage? Let the whole nation read about our countrymen’s team and individual top-level successes? Just before Christmas at the Sports Journalists Association Awards, I took the opportunity in the filled room to speak to as many editors as I could manage on the same subject of the lack of interest in one of our most successful team sports.The same argument was given back by every one of them “we can’t cover all sports, and as a nation it isn’t what our readers want”.
I suggested they take a look at the British Horse Society Statistics to see how many people in the UK actively take part in equestrianism and ask them if any of the millions on there are also their customers? The amount of horse and pony related magazines both online and over the counter that are sold every month? That actually, not every one of their readers, me included wants to disregard almost a quarter of the newspaper covered in photographs of the same footballer/different angle scenarios on a daily basis.I’m not being biased here either, because I also provide some of those football images too. Nevertheless, in truth, they basically didn’t want to know.
About a week later, during the London Olympia International Horse Show, the AGM & annual Lunch for the British Equestrian Writers Association (BEWA) forced me to question even more about the press situation. The room was filled with all the equestrian journalists and TV and radio presenters, equestrian press officers and event directors, together with some of our top equestrian sports people to FEI course designers. Sat next to me Rob Hoekstra, Team GB World Class Showjumping Performance Manager. As the lunch went by we spoke about the press stagnation and my frustrations with getting adequate press coverage printed. I reminded him that he was in a room filled with press and what we all needed was a shot of inspiration because if we all got on the bandwagon, surely we would finally get heard? I warned him that we as a nation are still riding the wave of success of the last two years but it will soon roll over, they [team GB] have done their bit and I for one felt responsible to try, as a member of press, to do ours too.
Some of the world’s best journalists work in the British Equestrian press, with years of experience. If the newspapers would print it there’s not going to be a shortage of material.
So where do we start? By kindly asking, encouraging like-minded people (you) to show your support in telling the editors (via us) as a nation, we want to read about equine sporting events. And in doing so subtly demand the need for articles to be printed in the media. You can do your bit, by simply visiting https://www.facebook.com/IESportsMedia and liking the link on this article.
By raising the awareness and media coverage of the sport we all love, will help and encourage the sport to go from strength to strength. Sponsors would be keener to support riders and events. Lottery funding may increase. Its a win win situation just waiting to happen, we just have to get the preverbal ball rolling? And with your help and your support, maybe (and with all fingers crossed), we can actually do this!
Friday January 31st 2014 marks the start of the Chinese New Year – The Year of the Horse – Lets make this year, a horse year to remember?
Starting from next week I shall be following ‘a year in the life’ of Sussex based BE event rider Ben Leathers. So for all BE eventers or those taking your first steps on entering this discipline, his detailed highs and lows of what the eventing year has in store is one not to miss. The bruises, hard work to the long days mixed consistently with insider tips and full of inspiration. Ben Leathers – reaching for the top.
Keep safe ride safe
Julie Badrick – Priestley
Picture credit iesportsmedia Andrew Nicholson Blenheim Palace 2013 ditch