Industry, Controversy & Social Media...

 The equestrian world is evolving rapidly under the influence of social media. Platforms like Facebook and YouTube are reshaping the sport by providing transparency. Riders, trainers and equestrian brands are now able to reach vast audiences, sharing their journeys, tips and even sponsorships. However, this rise of equestrian influencers brings its own set of challenges. 

The pressure to perform while maintaining authenticity often leads to unrealistic portrayals of the sport, blurring the line between genuine horsemanship and a fake image. Significantly to those working within the equestrian industry, the feeling of constant pressure and fear to remain apparent as brand image and reputation can be destroyed most significantly through negative word of mouth.

I have previously worked in a horse riding role and also had the oppurtunity to become a brand ambasssador, however this does come with a sense of awareness of the power of social media and word of mouth.

Controversies surround the industry, with issues like animal welfare, sales and doping - taking centre stage. High-performance competitions and competitors are often a topic of discussion.

You may be familiar with the controversy regarding the behaviour of Charlotte Dujardin towards one of the horses she was training, which was published and spread accross the media like wildfire. 


Following this, she had withdrawn herself  from the Olympics 2024 just 3 days prior to competing and her reputation has since been affected. This may appear an extreme case, however shows the effectiveness of the impact of social media on a person or brand reputation, rumour or not. 

It’s essential to address these issues with a balanced view, allowing readers to form their own opinions while staying informed about ongoing controversies.

What equestrian news have you heard recently?

Comments

  1. Joshua16 November 2024 at 11:57

    Really interesting read with amazing facts. learned something new.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ava Jones17 November 2024 at 09:36

      It is so nice to hear comments like this Joshua, thank you!

      Delete

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