AHP The Inside Track: An Inside Look at the High Desert Media Roundup

Spring 2019, Volume I, Issue 2

Saddle Up for the High Desert Media Roundup Conference

This is your chance to connect, network, learn and share face-to-face with likeminded professionals. Make it your motto at this year’s conference to NEVER. STOP. LEARNING. The two-day conference is packed with educational sessions in all aspects of equine media.

Sharpen your journalism skills in four sessions presented by Erin Richards. She is a national K-12 education reporter for USA Today who lives a dual life as a hunter-jumper enthusiast.

The team from Catapult Creative Labs presents three marketing strategy sessions. Account Manager Kali Platt answers the 30 most frequently asked marketing questions–from digital best practices to branding tactics to influencer marketing. Creative Services Director Christina Lovullo offers tips for creating custom content, and Managing Director Andrea Kupfer shows how digital marketing tools like SEO and social media can increase brand visibility and drive sales.

Pick up new photography skills for better storytelling with award-winning photographer Shelley Paulson.

Meet the Student Award finalists Ruby Tevis and Lucile Vigouroux. The 2019 winner will be announced on Friday, May 31, at the Student Award Reception. Support the award program by pledging an item to the Student Fund silent auction.

Experience the excitement of the announcement of the Equine Industry Vision Award winner at a special breakfast sponsored by Zoetis. Congratulations to this year's finalists: Certified Horsemanship Association, Dr. Tom Lenz, Monty Roberts and The Right Horse Initiative.

Honor the best in equine media at the Equine Media Awards on Saturday night.

Choose from One of Two Exclusive Tour Options

All-Day Tour:

The Equine Enchantment Tour is a full-day excursion through the scenic high desert to Santa Fe. The first stop will be at the world-class equestrian facility HIPICO where you will see demonstrations with Shawna Karrasch of Terra Nova Equestrian Training Center about On Target/Positive Reinforcement(R+) training, Rudy Lara on traditional Spanish-style doma vaquera (Western dressage) training, and Chenoa McElvain,resident trainer at HIPICO and a Grand Prix jumper, on training exercises for the jumper.

Next, we will travel down the trail to tour Clint Mortenson’s Silver & Saddles shop and ranch where we will meet Clyde the buffalo and other critters, learn to rope a roping dummy and enjoy an authentic chuckwagon lunch prepared by “cookie” Carl Hawkins on his old-style wagon. Then we will go to Eaves Movie Ranch and learn about the wild-and-woolly Western film industry that has given Santa Fe the moniker “Tamalewood.” The tour wraps up with a scenic drive back to the hotel along the Turquoise Trail through the historic town of Madrid.

Half-Day Tour: Forge Work with Craig Trnka, World Champion Blacksmiths

The second tour option is a half-day trip to the shop of world champion blacksmith Craig Trnka in Edgewood, New Mexico. He will demonstrate forge work in farriery and attendees will have a chance to forge a bottle opener or hoof pick. This tour is limited to 10 participants.

This year’s conference is May 30 to June 1 at Hotel Albuquerque in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Plan your trip and register today for one of these tours.

7 Tips for Maximizing Your Trip to the

High Desert Media Roundup

Make the most of your experience with these member-recommended tips.

Be outgoing. Come prepared to network and learn. Speakers and seminar attendees are into sharing experiences and advice and making equine media the best it can be. Here are 15 Ways To Start A Conversation At A Conference (Without Feeling Weird)
Bring a jacket. Outdoor temperatures can soar into the 90s in Albuquerque during the summer, but evenings and hotel meeting spaces can be cool.
Don’t forget the small stuff. Pack business cards, a camera, notebook/pens, recorders and samples of your work.
Study the schedule. Highlight the sessions you want to attend and know where they will be held.
Seek story ideas. There are ample opportunities to gather photographs and information for stories about the Southwest horse culture during the conference and tours. Consider staying an extra day to schedule interviews and travel to equestrian facilities and training barns in the area.
Attend all functions. You never know who you might meet and what you might learn.
Share your experience. Take photos and notes, post your experiences on social media and in blogs so others can see what AHP is all about. Share your experiences and take-away tips with other members in our next newsletter. Contact Jennifer Denison.

EQUINE MEDIA CONFERENCES

May 30–June 1, 2019

High Desert Media Roundup

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Learn more

May 28-30, 2020

AHP 50th Anniversary

Lexington, Kentucky

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Saddled and Ready: How Companies Can Harness the Power of Freelancers to Achieve More

Did you miss the Member's Only webinar in January?

Abigail Boatwright, freelance writer and photographer and co-founder of The Freelance Remuda podcast, presented a free webinar about the benefits of companies forging relationships with reliable freelance writers, photographers, videographers, marketers and designers. If you missed it, you can download a PDF of key points and watch it here.

Watch the Webinar

Meet a Member: Kelly O'Neill

Interview by Jennifer Denison

Kelly O'Neill was 35 was she learned to ride. Five years later she bought her first horse. The experienced marketer learned about AHP while thumbing through a magazine and discovered her experiences outside the industry could open up a new world of opportunities in the horse industry.