More about Trail Riding and Training

I do appreciate the numerous helpful and thoughtful comments to my earlier posts regarding training-related issues.

I think that Anne is right that a major project may be brewing. I agree that most people are not going to read a book about riding before coming on a trip here. Nor do I want to make the trip seem off-putting. However I do want to get across the what to expect message in a way that is interesting and informative. People do still come without raincoats even though the printed information is simple to understand. Maybe a photo on a web-based guide will help them understand?

I want to explain to riders that, when going up a steep hill, they need to lean forwards and stand up out of the saddle. To take their weight out of the saddle when cantering. To ride on a loose rein. Things like that. This horsemanship-related material is going to be shown to all guests before they ride, whether or not they see it on-line. Since trail riding skills differ in important ways from arena riding skills, I will be giving guests information that may be new to them. Optimistically, I think that many will listen, partly because this isn't a dude ranch or a place set up to handle novice riders.

I can see that video clips are going to come in handy. They will help make the trip look like great fun, a message that I do want to get across to potential visitors. After all, the trips are great fun, it just helps to be equipped with the right techniques as well as the right clothes and equipment.

However, since I am in the midst of winter, I am going to have to be patient. I cannot start filming anything right now. What with preparing the horses, repairing the fences, checking the trails, and filming, Spring will be busy.

Luckily, whilst the terrain is mountainous, it isn't terrifyingly abrupt like, say, the Grand Canyon ride. For me, pictures of that trail are quite enough. I could not ride it. Knowing that I have limits helps me to appreciate other people's limits.

I think that the experience element may be quite marketable. A ride in a different environment like this can make a guest into a more experienced, knowledgeable, rounded rider. Just as a ride on a cattle ranch might, or in Mongolia. Presumably a great deal comes down to presentation. I think that I still have some way to go presenting these rides as experiential, both in an equestrian sense and culturally. This shift in presentation remains an overall objective.

Looking like we are experienced, that we actually try to pass on useful information, is a point in our favour. Especially if we are trying to cultivate a good quality clientele. Again, this may give us a marketing advantage if it is done well. However I don't want to make this look like an overly-regimented establishment where there is no fun to be had.

Anne's advice on being wary about interaction makes sense. At the least, comments will need to be moderated. I'm not especially concerned about competitors trying to sabotage my work, and then only by other expatriates. Copying would be more likely. There is very little trust between the handful of riding centres receiving international guests in this country. Poaching ideas and clients is not unknown. Disinformation has happened before, one rival travel agent putting the idea around that there are no medical services in this part of the country. (Rumours about the plumbing and outhouses might have been really damaging!) I haven't made my competitors or their friends aware of this blog, and I doubt whether any of them would think to look for it. I do try to avoid letting slip to anything that could be used against me. (Since few of my competitors are licensed guides or have tour operator's licenses, I doubt whether anyone would provoke me too far.)

The whole lack of trust between people in the same business does trouble me. Romania has an image problem right across Europe, meaning that tourism companies need to work harder than ever to attract clients, yet the local equestrian industry lacks the trust to combine forces to promote this country as a riding destination. I don't see a solution right now. Any ideas?

I've posted a photo of Doru, who came in damp from draught work on a grey day of intermittent sleet, wearing his sleigh bells. Whilst these bells are not as pretty as the exquisite sleigh bells that igallopon posted about recently, they do the job. Who knows, I could even sell them on Ebay for extra because they have been carried by a real Transylvanian horse.

Comments

[emil]

From my previous experiences (in areas that have nothing whatsoever to do with riding or tourism business) quite often distrust was due, at least in part, to complete lack of communication. I am not sure the other competing riding agencies are aware that there is a NEED to work together to promote the potential of those wonderful places, or that there is COMMON BENEFIT from it. A small conference where other riding businesses in Transylvania, rest of Romania or even Hungary (if not too many) would be invited to discuss and come up with a plan for future development may be good, if you consider it feasible. And that would mean more work for you, Julian, as you would likely be the initiator/coordinator :)

As for the competition, one may put it this way: a visitor, even if he/she felt like in heaven at your place, will likely spend their next vacation somewhere else. It is the traveler’s nature. If they are so much into riding, it will likely be in one of your competitors’. Ultimately, they will come back to you if there is no better place.

[risingrainbow]

I'm afraid that distrust isn't just limited to the equestrian facilites in Romania. It is a human fault. I don't think it matters what you do there will always be those that are distrustful and those that aren't worthy of trust and those in middle somewhere.

I totally agree with you that working together would make things so much better sooner but I'm afraid it'll be a step at a time process.

[sue]

Perhaps the coming of the new road might present an opportunity to try to open dialogue with the other equestrian businesses - a flyer to them all suggesting a combined effort to advertise before you get left behind by other tourist attractions, perhaps? A joint submission to the Tourism Agency voicing concerns at how riding routes will be affected/protected? Whatever you think might unite you all.

[Transylvanianhorseman]

I used to think that it was a peculiarly Romanian attitude to prefer a large share of a small pie to a small share of a big pie, even if the latter portion is the larger. Maybe that is a more widespread attitude?

I shall look at some ways to approach others regarding a national strategy for promoting equestrian tourism. I would like to think that each centre does something different, therefore common promotion will bring out the good of each without compromising anyone. I suspect that, once a handful start something good, others will wish to join.

I do appreciate all your advice, thank you.

[Anne]

Do they have PR agencies there that specialize in tourism? You've got a big job on several fronts, from education to competition to keeping up with tourism trends. If you could persuade your competitors that you all have something at stake, maybe you could pool your resources and get a PR agency to help promote the whole concept on all levels. Just be sure it's a good one or you may as well do it yourself.