This message is from: Cynthia_Madden/OAA/UNO/[EMAIL PROTECTED] I have been wanting to respond ot Carol's comments about Equitana. I believe that to expose this breed in the widest possible manner, even without seeing a direct sale, will always eventually profit the breeder. It is the kind of thing anyone in any business has to do to get the word out on a little known product, or in this case, horse breed. Equitana attracts thousands of people. It is one of the few national showcases in this country. How can we not be there?
We have taken Tank to the Iowa Horse Fair and the Kansas Equi-Fest. We attended the Wisconsin Horse Fair (not with Tank) for several years. Unfortunately, Nebraska has no equivalent. Fjords are few and far between in Nebraska and Kansas, especially. Tank has become such a ambassador for the breed (he really enjoys it). You all know how people react to the sight of a Fjord. We are always asked about him. We take brochures or some kind of print out about then with us. We are always running out of information (Sharon, I am still out of brochures!) At Kansas last year, the interest in him was tremendous. There were Icelandics there in force, constantly tolting up and down the isles, but bring out Tank and hitch him up and he stole the show! He was surrounded by people. Many people have read about them or seen pictures, but never had the chance to see one or touch one. Horse fairs, statewide or national, are absolutely one of the greatest ways to expose large numbers of people to Fjords. How many of us saw one somewhere and said to themselves - I 've got to have one! Maybe like me, it was five years before they were lucky enough to find one (or afford one!) But when I came home from a carriage show many years ago in Minnesota after seeing one, it was my heart's desire. (Tank's real name is Hjerte Barn - child of my heart or apple of my eye). I didn't even know what they were when I first saw them. Carol, by going to fairs and horse shows with my Fjord, I am selling your horses for you. I wonder how many times, after seeing Tank, someone may have then seen your ads in many horse publications and written or called you with inquiries? And since I am not a breeder, taking Tank to these things is totally at my own expense - not a business deduction. (I would welcome a program that reimbursed even a small part of my expense.) So even if you decide not to participate in Equitana again - the people who do and help promote the breed, will also be selling your horses for you - because you are out there with your advertising in many publications and others are not. You do benefit in the long run. not just from your own promotional efforts but those of others also. Cynthia Madden, Coordinator Office of Sponsored Programs & Research University of Nebraska at Omaha E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
