I’m sitting in the West Palm Beach airport early morning Saturday March 14 after a couple of really inspiring days at what is known as “WelliWorld”. And while it may sound silly….this is big time….really big time. WelliWorld , based in Wellington, Florida just outside of Palm Beach is the brainchild of Mark Bellisimo and Michael Stone of Equestrian Sport Productions (www.equestriansport.com). They’ve created a Walt Disney World quality equestrian center for horse showing replete with multiple show rings, boutique shops, eateries, all encircled by world class private stables all designed to offer the finest 12 weeks each winter of equine sports. This is a big vision turned reality, and I was extremely impressed.
One of the key hallmarks to their success is that they are promoting their product to the mass market and reaching out to new people to draw them in to participate in what they are offering. Whether as a competitor in the horse show, an exhibitor in the stands or a shopper at their boutique shops on the grounds, they get people involved. They are streaming their events live over the internet, using public relations to tell their story in print and other media. The events are covered by a multitude of cable channels, including a reality television show tracking the trials and tribulations of two young equine competitors.
I had the opportunity to meet with Mark and Michael to discuss how the Arabian Horse Breeders Alliance could host an Arabian horse show at their facility as a complement on the east coast to the Breeders World Show in Las Vegas, and plans are underway. During our meeting, Mark said something that gave me a real kick in the pants. We were discussing how their entries this winter have held up relatively well in this tough economy, down only 6% when other competitive shows are down as much as 30% in entries. He said, “We are going full bore during this tough time and pushing harder than ever – I’m a firm believer that while others are retreating, it’s time to rampage”. Well, there you have it. These guys are big time winners.
For those of us that love the Arabian horse and want to do all we can to support and grow our breed, the most important thing we can do is to promote our product to new enthusiasts. Arabian horses are the most beautiful animal alive and this is the most exciting and rewarding lifestyle one can experience. Now we need to let the rest of the world know about it. This is no time to get soft. And while it may seem intuitive that it’s time to pull back, the reverse is true. This is a time that while others are retreating, that we need to advance through a focused effort to grow our market. This is a time when, while others are retreating, we need to rampage!!!
Jeff
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