DigitalHorseShow.com (DHS) is the innovative new equestrian company leading the charge in digital horse show and event development for disciplines across equestrian sports, including jumpers, dressage, equitation, hunters, western pleasure, reining, and more.
Born from a common goal in a global pandemic – to offer a place for equestrians to maintain their competitive edge and receive thoughtful feedback for themselves and their horses – a group of industry professionals with experience in video, show management, entry systems, sales, and marketing decided to band together to create the ultimate equestrian experience, championing “Horse Sports for the New Normal.”
The concept of DigitalHorseShow.com
“The concept of DHS is to combine the best of horse shows with an online format and features,” explained DHS co-founder, USEF-licensed judge, FEI official, and horse show manager Oliver Kennedy. “We incorporated technology to create an online horse show community that was not only a place for competition, but for entertainment, education, and commerce. DHS offers all of this and will be a place for equestrians to come together online for a variety of opportunities.”
As the Official Sanctioned Online Horse Show Competition of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), DHS is the most affordable way to compete in front of USEF-licensed officials. The platform isn’t JUST for competition though. A series of clinics have also utilized the DHS, including the USHJA Emerging Athlete Program and USHJA Zone 2 clinic for members. Several collegiate equestrian programs have also partnered with the company this year, including the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) and the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA).
“Working with DHS has been a comfort,” admitted IDA National Secretary Leslie Hoover. “We wanted to offer our members a sophisticated and easy-to-use product for digital shows, and DHS has provided that. They have been receptive and have helped to make each show better than the last. DHS not only saved our season, but they helped the entire program, and we believe that these digital learning opportunities will be something we can benefit from, even after a global pandemic.”
DHS offers many opportunities for the equestrian community
Aside from being the leader in online equestrian experiences, DHS offers a variety of opportunities for several other facets of the equestrian community, including: an excellent outlet for international equestrians to market their horses to potential buyers that may have current travel restrictions limiting horse shopping and trials; the DigitalTackBoutique.com, which allows users to shop quality equestrian brands in one convenient location; allocating many of its features and assets to the promotion of future sponsors and partners; and reaching a highly engaged audience of equestrian fans.
“We wanted to create the opportunity to bring people from all parts of the world together to compete in an interesting new format where they are judged by not only top officials, but where viewers can contribute and interact as well,” said co-founder Cesar Hirsch, who is also a top FEI-level judge and steward. “Our goal is to bring horsemanship to every corner of the world for all fans that share a passion for the horse and the sport.”
The technology behind DHS comes from the team at IA Multimedia, who have produced live streaming and video clipping services at some of the biggest horse shows in North America. DHS will continue to expand as the equestrian industry reacts and changes in this unprecedented year, with plans for riding and continuing education clinics, young horse competition, and welcoming additional equestrian disciplines
