FEELING THE LOVE… FOR ARABIAN HORSES

Written by Paul Kostial

advice, assistance, and educational content supporting the Arabian Horse community, along with ‘how to’ options to assist others via simple steps to develop the same within their own communities.

Who is behind WLAH?

How did We LOVE Arabian Horses get started?

We LOVE Arabian Horses was launched in 2017. The brand was designed to be simple and easy to grasp, while the focus needed both visual appeal and a compelling message, while delivering innovative promotional outreach for the Arabian horse.

Our message is simple – education and outreach that’s designed to build the Arabian horse community. After spending many years in the business, involved with (and observing), it was apparent that a systemic approach to marketing was needed, and one that’s consistent with what works well in marketing today.

That includes: advanced technology, online platforms, database technology, easy options to get involved and learn, and for newcomers to thrive in a business that has many facets. Even for the tried and true, it’s not easy to grasp all the facets.

What were the first aspects of We LOVE Arabian Horses?

After the initial branding was developed, our first foray was our Facebook page called We LOVE Arabian Horses. Our interactive web design soon followed, along with the development of multiple assets to benefit the community.

Carol Nierenberg (Silver Box Studios) listened to me sharing about the vision and, while she listened attentively during early planning discussions, she was the first to notice… our business structure was very similar to many “third-party” marketing organizations, like the Milk Board, Beef Council and Pork Producers here in the USA. There are many similar organizations in many countries.

In doing so, we provide resources, assets,

As the founder and volunteer Executive Director, it’s my role to lead the growth of We LOVE Arabian Horses while navigating a long-term growth plan for simple outreach platforms. Our true potential is determined by people power!

As an example, we have well over 100+ people participating in a variety of 25+ outreach platforms. We have over 50 very astute leaders and advocates who are part of our Ambassador Advisors, along with another 50 or so individuals (or businesses) who have already become sponsors in one form or another. We also have multiple corporate partners already engaged and supporting growth.

We LOVE Arabian Horses provides a congenial “Switzerland” that assists those who may have the same needs, while assisting their community’s growth goals. We nurture an open environment via ideas, dialogue, and much collaboration, where individuals and groups can freely share their questions and hurdles with the broader community, to then create a smarter plan for others to resource and replicate in their area and/or for their farm or business.

Please give us an example. In a short amount of time we’ve consulted with a number of farms, clubs and groups who have requested our feedback. We assist them with direct observations, suggestions, ideas and resources to help them reach their outreach goals. This often includes even simple steps needed to ‘move the needle.’

Working with like-minded partners, we’re building a structure to assist multiple events with local clubs, national events, and everything in between.

What are your long-term goals with WLAH?

To design and build a vibrant international platform for Arabian breed promotion, via an organization that’s built to support the entire Arabian horse community with robust platforms created, tested and scaled for efficient long-term growth.

How do you think WLAH is making a difference?

The proof is already with us. In the last year alone, we’ve increased from about 50 email transactions per week, to now fulfilling up to 500 to 1000 email transactions per week. Many of these come direct from our website, as users are drawn by content they engaged online via We LOVE Arabian Horses email and social media.

Conservatively, that’s 25,000+ interactions annually already. These interactions range from requests for assistance with concepts and ideas, ordering assets for events like stickers, wristbands, banners, and other promotional stuff, along with fulfillment of contest applicants, editorial requests, article contributions, our blogs, image galleries, videos and even podcast guest suggestions. It’s systemic.

What are a few examples of your current platforms?

• Ambassador Contest – Contestants do outreach events from a set list of options to win points and prizes in an ongoing annual contest.

• Markel Global Podcast – Weekly series featuring well-known industry experts, chatting on a variety of topics benefitting Arabian horse education.

• Community Cookbook – Our first published book, the Arabian Horse Community Cookbook is a collection of 225+ recipes from friendly kitchens.

• Educational Articles – We host over a dozen article contributors, those who write about history, breeders, and key industry leaders.

• Farm Support & Events – We assist farms with outreach plans and either help plan and/or attend their events.

• Local Club & Group Assets – We work with clubs and groups to provide a portfolio of outreach assets focused on connecting the community.

That’s a sample of what’s working already! And each was first developed and then tweaked (as needed) to adjust for success, efficiency and flexibility.

What are the bigger projects currently being considered?

We’re working with two Arabian horsecentered feature films that will be similar to Cass Olé and The Black Stallion, along with formats for multiple Arabian horse fair or festival concepts. We’re also building multiple relationships with main-stream partners like Western Horseman, Equus, Road to the Horse and Cowboys & Indians, to name a few. We’ll do more as we grow.

How can people get involved and help support WLAH?

We’re pleased to hear from Arabian horse lovers who want to assist, at home or in person, as well as those who may be interested in possibly sponsoring activities or assisting to build more opportunities via outreach.

We’d love for anyone to visit our website – look for this info under Actions, Jobs, Sponsors or Partners on the top nav bar of our website.

We Invite You to Visit Our Website https://welovearabianhorses.com