GM, partner. This is The Oxer. The newsletter that takes you out of your tack room and into the global equestrian industry.
🐴 Here’s what we’ve got for you today:
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Fighting against racism and for representation: A report on British Equestrian’s status quo and work to do.
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Participate in the biggest American-equestrian economy survey: The study will demonstrate the impact equestrian has on the U.S. and its current state.
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A new addition to The Oxer: Check out our Final Foals section at the end.
👥 Will British Equestrian Be More Representative?
What happened?!
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The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has responded to the #HorsesForAll report, which looks at the experiences of underrepresented communities in equestrian activity.
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The report is based on research by AKD Solutions, which investigated the experiences of ethnically diverse and socioeconomically underserved communities in the UK who may or may not be engaging in the equestrian landscape.
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The report provides 11 recommendations to BEF and member bodies to provide a focus for the development of a strategy on equality, diversity, and inclusivity.
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BEF has taken on board the recommendations and has started work on a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, which will drive internal change.
Our jump on the subject
Spending sterling to do such a report is a step for the BEF and the global equestrian community at large. An even bigger step is to do something about the findings.
Some of the recommendations the report suggested for the BEF to do include, but are not limited to, the following:
A universal commitment to anti-racist and anti-classist equestrian environments
Clear merit-based progression
Creating regular industry check-ins which promote diversity
BEF
The BEF and its undertakers are a big organization, so it might take time to get all of these done.
But the first step to solving a problem is recognizing the problem itself.
What happened?!
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The American Horse Council is launching a new economic impact study to assess the value of the equine industry in the national and state economies.
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The study will examine the value that horse ownership, recreation, and equine-related services have on the American equestrian economy. It will also analyze the impact of recent changes in the tax code and the effects of the pandemic on the industry.
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The study aims to provide valuable data for public and private investments in equine-related businesses, equine health care, education, land use decisions, and more.
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The survey will take place from April 3 to September 29 and participants will be offered incentives such as a John Deere mower, one year of Nutrena or Purina feed for one horse, gift certificates, and enrollment in Texas A&M AgriLife Equine Reproductive Management Online Course.
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The data collected will be useful in advocacy efforts and will demonstrate the industry’s contributions to the economy.
Our jump on the subject
Reports like this are crucial to helping equestrian industries think like an industry, and not small businesses existing in our own worlds.
These reports allow us to zoom out and look at the market as a whole and learn the impact we have on the wider American economy, job market, and trade.
For example, the 2017 report found the following numbers:
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Global equine industry: $185b
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American equine industry (indirect): $122b
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American equine industry (direct): $55b
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Travel to and participation in U.S. equine events: $27b
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Participation in U.S. equine events only: $11.8b
Two key takeaways:
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The size of our industry – To put these numbers in perspective, in 2022 the global space launch industry was $7b. In 2023, the global esports industry is forecast to hit $1.5b.
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The size of the U.S. equestrian market – $55b = 29% of the global equestrian economy. We may not have the history and traditions of the European equestrian nations, but commercially, we are the most valuable equestrian market in the world!
Why should we care? Reports and numbers like this are used by businesses to justify loans, raise money for new ventures like equestrian facilities, and secure support from governments to protect riding lands.
It’s easy to discount these reports as just words, but for those that weaponize them to get outsiders to support equestrian endeavors, they are crucial.
We should support any and all reports commissioned about our industry – even if we fear the findings – because in one way or another, they propel us forward!
We beg you – please participate in the survey so we can generate the best report possible. You can contribute here.
🐴 Also, Don’t Miss These Final Foals
🌎 The World Equestrian Center (WEC) is hiring. If you’re interested in living and working in what’s perhaps the equestrian capital of America, they have 70 open positions. So what are you waiting for?
😉 Tom Brady might be visiting a stable near you.
🍊 Either way, the Sunshine State is the center of the equestrian world. (67% of The Oxer team hails from Florida.)
Take your time to digest these stories and let us know what you think by replying.
Gallop on!
The Oxer
