Fall 2020, Volume II, Issue 4 
Finding Creative Solutions to Being an Equine Media Professional in the Time of Coronavirus
with Abigail Boatwright and Kate Byars
Last May, AHP members congregated on Zoom for an eGathering and happy hour discussion about stoking creativity during the pandemic. Co-moderated by Freelance Remuda founders Abigail Boatwright and Kate Byars, the group shared ideas, commiserated over layoffs and difficulties, and mused about the future of equine media. Here are some takeaways from the event.

Education: Use time at home to sharpen skills and learn new ones. Methods include checking out AHP webinars and eGatherings, taking online courses, using LinkedIn Learning and practicing photography on model horses in the backyard.

Building out: Tackle large projects like creating stock photo libraries, managing the back end of your business and digitizing several years' worth of printed material for your archives.

Adding side hustles: Rethink your business strategies, adding side hustles, offering new services, or finding new avenues to get your work published outside of the horse industry.

Reopening—but carefully: As pandemic restrictions are lifted and you venture back out into the world doing photo-shoots and attending events, find ways to do so safely. Some media pros are still sticking close to home, though, seeking stories and clients in their areas to reduce the need for travel.

Reworking content: With travel limited options, look for new approach on articles. Swap out event coverage for easily gathered features, re-interview sources to tackle new topics that correspond with previously captured photos, and repurpose old stories into books.

Managing stress: Be sure to take breaks and time for self-care while quarantining. Ideas include taking walks, riding horses more frequently, reading for enjoyment, taking breaks and even coloring.

For more helpful tips from equine media professionals, watch this eGathering and others by clicking the button below.
AHP Equine Industry Survey Launches in January 2021

The fifth AHP Equine Industry Surveysponsored by Zoetis and presented by AHPis scheduled to launch online January 4, 2021. As in the past four surveys, AHP members will be asked to help promote the survey link to their audiences via print, online, digital and social media channels.

The purpose of the AHP Equine Industry Survey is to gauge participation trends and management practices in the United States' equine industry. Additionally, it seeks to gather information regarding the most important issues facing the industry.

Those eligible to participate in the survey are men and women,18 years of age and older, who currently own or manage at least one horse and live in the United States.

Previous surveys have each reached an average of 10,000 hands-on horse industry participants in the United States. With your help, we hope to exceed that number in 2021, gathering valuable information that benefits all of our lives and businesses.

For more information on the AHP Equine Industry Survey, click here.
Saddle Up for the 2021
AHP Equine Media Conference

Move over Gene Autry! AHP members will be "Back in the Saddle Again" and gathering together May 20-22 at the Westin DFW Airport Hotel in Irving, Texas, for the "Back in the Saddle" Conference. Thanks to everyone who submitted suggestions for the conference name. Jennifer Olson Bryant gets credit for the winning name, and we'll soon have a logo!

Look on the AHP website and social media for updates on tours, speakers and sessions, and more in the coming months! #AHPbackinthesaddle2021
Get Ready for AHP's Special Awards Season

It's an exciting time as we prepare for AHP's special awards season. Recognizing excellence in our industry is one of the many benefits of membership and keeps raising the bar in equine media quality and professionalism.

This year we've made modifications to the AHP Equine Media Awards and are pleased to introduce the new AHP Equine Media Next Gen Award, all detailed below.

To stay up to date on AHP's special awards for 2021, visit our recently released landing page here.
Equine Industry Vision Award

Celebrating its 20th year, the 2021 Equine Industry Vision Award sponsored by Zoetis is given annually in recognition of outstanding leadership, creativity and meritorious contribution toward positive changes in the equine industry. Anyone can nominate and bring national attention to a deserving individual, association or business.

Share this link with your audiences to help us reach the next equine visionary: https://www.americanhorsepubs.org/equine-industry-vision-award/.

NOMINATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 5, 2021
AHP Equine Media NextGen Award

Do you know an up-and-coming working equine media professional who has made a significant impact in advancing equine media while upholding journalistic excellence, integrity, and trust in a competitive communications world?

Help AHP recognize young equine media professionals whose commitment, dedication, and service have made their careers shine above the rest.

The lead nominator must be a current AHP member or employee of a current AHP member. AHP membership is not required to be nominated. Nomination form available here. Read about this award here.

NOMINATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 15, 2020
AHP Equine Media Student Award

Do you know a college student with a passion for horses and equine media that is looking for an opportunity to make their career a reality? This award has been helping students to make their equine media dreams come true for the past 27 years.

Eligible students include a senior in high school or an undergraduate matriculated college student under the age of 25, pursuing a career in equine media during the 2020-2021 school year, with at least one semester remaining before graduation at the time of application. You must have a 2.00 or higher GPA.

Share this link with your audiences to help us reach eligible students:

APPLICATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 22, 2021
AHP Equine Media Award Entries Go Digital in 2021

It is never too early to start reviewing your work published in 2020 to select your entries for the annual awards program. Best news of all, this year AHP is using a new awards management system that will enable members to submit your entries electronically, and they will also be judged online.

AHP has also modified some of the categories to better serve its membership.

Publishing Media Division Class Changes

  • Classes will no longer be divided by circulation except for General Excellence.

  • When there are sufficient entries submitted that represent association and self-supported publications, classes may be divided by association and self-supported publications. Sufficient entries will be determined by the number of entries and number of entrants in the class. Association publications must be owned by or published for an association and be a Publishing Media member.

  • To recognize the continuing growth of the Media Professional category, additional freelancer classes for Media Professional members only have been added to editorial and photography categories. These classes allow content published in non-member publications as well as member publications and gives freelancers more opportunities to submit their work.

  • Freelance Writer Feature Single Article and Freelance Writer Personality Profile Single Article have been added. Freelance Writer Equine-related Journalism Article remains.

  • In addition to Freelance Editorial Photograph, Freelance Editorial Action Photograph and Freelance Editorial Human-Animal Bond classes have been added.

  • Media Professional members are still able to enter their work published in member publications in any editorial class as long as the Publishing Media member is not entering that class with the same article or photograph.

Business Division Changes

  • Business, Nonprofit or College/University members enter their print publications in the Business Division only (multi-issue and custom single Issue or annual publication) This applies to any association or organization whose publication is not a Publishing Media member.

  • Business Content Marketing Single Article has been eliminated due to lack of sufficient entries for the past few years.

Complete rules and entry forms will be available in January of 2021. Watch for more information on the the AHP website, AHP Members Only Facebook page, and in AHP eblasts.
EQUINE MEDIA CONFERENCE

May 20-22, 2021
Back in the Saddle Equine Media Conference
Westin DFW Airport, Irving, Texas

May 12-14, 2022
AHP Equine Media Conference
Griffin Gate Marriott, Lexington, Kentucky
Meet a Member: Heidi Nyland Melocco
Interview by Jennifer Denison

Based in Mead, Colorado, Heidi Melocco specializes in a variety of services, including freelance photography, journalism, public relations, website design, social media management and advertising for equine-related companies under her brand The Whole Picture, LLC. 

Read more about Heidi here.
Pay it Forward, Get Rewarded

The AHP Member Referral Program, Pay it Forward, Get Rewarded, is in full swing. If you have friend or colleague who would benefit from becoming an AHP member, invite them to become a member. If they mention you as referring them on their application, you will earn a $10 credit toward a registration for the 2021 Back in the Saddle Conference in Irving, Texas. The more referrals, the more credits for you and AHP gains a new member.

Share this link with new members to apply for membership.


AHP Launches New Online Member
Management System

This month, AHP introduces its new online membership management system that will increase efficiency and communication. Your 2021 membership renewal notices will be sent starting this month via an email message with an attached invoice. Be sure to renew your membership by January 1, 2021 to maintain all your benefits and stay up to date on association news and events.

Messages will arrive from: membership@americanhorsepubs.org. Please note to add this address to your safe senders list.

Here are the steps for login to the new AHP member database:
  • Go to https://www.americanhorsepubs.org/
  • Click on the Member Center in the navigation bar.
  • Select "Log me in to access the Member Center." 
  • Sign with your username and click on Reset the Password link to reset your password.
  • Login to the Member Center with your username and password.
  • At the Member Center, select the square, "My Account" to review your information and update addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and contact names. 
  • Take a moment to explore the other options you will discover in the Member Center.

For assistance with login to the new Member Center, contact Chris at ahorsepubs@aol.com.
Did you know that staff members can also be added to the AHP e-list? Email Chris at ahorsepubs@aol.com with a list of staff email addresses you would like added to the AHP Newsgroup list or association news only list.

Interested in hosting an AHP eGathering? 

Have an idea for future newsletter articles?

Is there a topic you would like to see presented as a webinar?

For conference and membership questions: