Sport and social media: The evolution for Equestrian activity?

In modern society today, social media has become one of the biggest influences on our daily lives and the way news in particular is spread, with the speed of the online world creating an instant platform for almost everything, with the added bonus (for the most part) of being completely free! Facebook is one of the most influential of these platforms with over 31 millions users worldwide with Twitter catching up with over 10 million users, 80% of which are actively engaging with the media via mobile devices. These statistics highlight how media is not only global, but instant and accessible almost everywhere, so utilising the online world is something every business should be taking full advantage of, as the online age never sleeps.

This is something that DMU Equestrian have sought to work on this year, engaging more actively with their participants via social media in order to keep everyone in the club updated, as well as the rest of the world about what goes on behind the scenes in equine university life. The online world is not the only accessible platform that DMU Equestrian have taken advantage of, at De Montfort University they are extremely lucky to have one of the best student newspapers, radio and TV department working for them as the Demon Media Strand. Demon Media have become an integral part of promoting and engaging with sport at the university and have aimed to focus on smaller teams and develop the social awareness through all platforms about the work that goes on in all De Montfort sports clubs. The team have worked with the budding equestrians all year to find out what really goes on in the equine world and what it takes to compete in one of our BUCS teams or simply get involved with the society. The engagement of social media platforms for equestrian activity is something that is evolving and getting bigger and better every year with Twitter, Facebook and blogging sites being amongst the most popular forms of social media. The Equestrian Social Media Awards have allowed this recognition to be acknowledged with anyone able to enter the awards and showcase their talent from blogging to Twitter usage by both amateur and professional horsemen and women. The judging panel consists of some of the leading professionals in the equestrian world from photographers right through to top class event riders who look at all the positive aspects the social media is promoting and creating for equestrian activity on a global scale.

The 2012 Olympics allowed a new audience to be introduced to the world of equine sport with Great Britain winning a total of 5 medals including the world including winning gold in both team jumping and dressage. The accessibility that the Olympics gave for people to come and witness the different disciplines from 3 day event to grand prix Paralympic dressage has moved Britain into the top rankings for equestrian sport worldwide. No longer the underdogs, British equestrian sport is at the height of success and the recent world record achievement by Charlotte Dujardin at Olympia has drove Britain to be one of the biggest threats and competitors in the world of all things equine. The 'celeb culture' has enabled smaller equine platforms to get the recognition they deserve and promote the sport and businesses that engage with equestrian mediums.

So how is social media helping university lead sport? The recent increase in Twitter profiling and the page status on Facebook has allowed university teams to expand their communication with other sports teams, universities both in and outside their own sport. This has created a level of support and activity that is positively promoting both BUCS competitive sports teams and friendly matches that go on with universities collaborating together to get more students involved in sport at their university.

Lizzie Mole, a first year student at De Montfort who has ridden on the B team for DMU Equestrian has witnessed first hand the influence that social media can have upon the promotion of sports teams and societies:

"Social media has really helped get our team heard about within the university, especially from our DMU Equestrian Twitter! More attention and support from the sports office and student union has allowed us to get a place in the Varsity 2014 promo video on YouTube which means even more promotion, which is crucial for a sports team that isn't as recognised or popular like Rugby or Football."

The team have not only worked with The Demon all year engaging with the online, newspaper, Demon TV and the famous Demon FM, but they have also expanded to work with local photographers and other students to get the most out of both the sport and the talent DMU has to offer. Zoe Walker, a third year student at the university has worked closely with the team and committee all year with the equestrian club being a primary influence for her final project. As a keen horse rider herself, Zoe knows the struggles and prejudices that equine sport can face but also the importance of involving more students in trying something new whilst at university. This acts as an example of how social media can be a mutual benefit to both sports teams and the people involved as well as other students who may just want the opportunity, like Zoe to photograph and profile something unique for free. 

"As one of the photographers for DMU Equestrian I have had my work seen by people who I would not have normally reached, the social media platforms also give me a chance to catch up on how the teams and society are progressing when I cannot make competitions or social events. I feel without the social media aspect of the club some of the members would feel a little out of the loop, so this accessibility to information helps keep everyone involved."

The profile of equestrian sport at De Montfort is better than ever with social media raising awareness and the standard of information and promotion of activity higher than ever before. The student population across all DMU sports clubs is enough to create a huge impact upon the recognition of smaller teams as much as bigger, more widely participated in sports. With the Vice Chancellor of the university being one of the most active Twitter uses at the university, the ideal scenario is set up and waiting for everyone to get out there and show off their sports team. Social media is free and accessible to millions with an endless capacity for good opportunities for all sports to take advantage of in order to make DMU a hash tag # we all recognise on a global scale. 

Keep up to date and follow us on Twitter @DMUEquestrian

VARSITY 2014: DMU V UoL

2014 Varsity Squad with Ross Harrison and Ian Warrington DSU President
Acknowledgements to Fletch Photography

After months of training, trials and trotting the day had finally come for the biggest match of the year for De Montfort Equestrian team, where they were to face their ultimate rivals, the University of Leicester. The battle was to take place away from De Montfort's home turf, and at Leicester's nominated training yard, South Leicestershire Riding Establishment just a few miles down the road from DMU's beloved Witham Villa Riding Centre. With the home advantage stripped away, DMU were more determined than ever to train in preparation for the Varsity match, with the last few weeks forming a basis of some intense pre-Varsity hard work. This included pilates sessions, with resident physiotherapist, Sara Smith, who taught the girls how to improve their balance and co-ordination on the ground in order to benefit their riding position when on a horse. The girls also took part in various levels of competition including the final BUCS fixture for the A team who competed at Nottingham Trent, as well as the recent friendly match that took place on home soil with both BUCS style dressage and show jumping tests judged by yard proprietor Verity Saul. The Varsity match is ran in the same style as BUCS with an independent judge for both phases and both A and B team compete as a whole unit so every single rider counts!


The 19th of March saw a very early start for our DMU team who travelled to Leicester's training yard together to compete, with the dressage phase commencing first in the morning. Varsity is ran slightly differently to an ordinary BUCS match as the rider's are allowed to choose who sits on which horse for both stages after them being shown, rather than drawing at random. A lovely selection of horses were given who were all willing to work for both Leicester and DMU. A classy and much improved performance was shown by De Montfort who rode exceptionally well through the dressage test, with some brilliant scores on the board at the end. Leicester however, stole the lead after the first stage of the competition and it was down to De Montfort to steal back a win in the final stage of the Varsity match, the all important, adrenaline filled show jumping round!

With some solid jumpers on both A and B team, DMU were ready to take back their Varsity title by giving it their all across the course. The jumps included stiles, doubles and spreads with some tight lines and plenty of fillers to set the standard high for both universities. The jump horses were varied from 26 year old ex-eventers to the pony of the day, Monty, who has competed in Fox hunters and BSJA classes, a favourite by the end for our very own Irish lady, Gemma Elliott. The display from both teams was one that was not to be missed, with De Montfort gaining plenty of clear rounds and successful scores across both A and B team. Every member of the teams finished the day on a high with plenty of supporters coming out in their DMU Equestrian kit to watch the girls perform on the day. A special thank you has to go to Ross Harrsion who works within the DMU sports office who came and watched both the dressage and show jumping, and really embraced the equine world alongside Ian Warrington, President of DSU who came to watch the show jump phase.

Sadly though, UoL managed to scrape the red ribbons taking an overall Varsity win for Leicester. DMU however, didn't lose their team spirit and finished the day with a smile and a successful 3rd individual placing for Georgia Aston of the A team and Charlotte Scott taking 8th for B team.

Charlotte Scott has never ridden on the team before and Varsity was her first major competition and she is an example of the improvement consistent riding can give.

"It was such a fantastic day, and above everything I'm so proud of how far personally I have come and everyone else competing this year. The improvement all round is amazing despite not gaining a win. A year and a half ago I hadn't ridden for a few years and I never imagined I would be competing in Varsity let alone being placed 8th so it just goes to show how much my personal training has paid off. This will be a massive highlight for me to take with me after leaving university."

The loss of this years Varsity does not reflect the hard work and dedication that has been shown by all the DMU Equestrian team rider's who have been training every week, alongside competing and completing various gym and pilates classes to improve every aspect of their riding capabilities. The 2013/2014 committee all competed and were extremely proud of every single member who took part and the efforts made by everyone who came and supported as well as our very own Demon TV who came and filmed for the day. It was safe to say Leicester took the win, but it was definitely a DMU day through and through whose supporting crowd outnumbered UoL even on their own home turf.

Varsity marks the end of the competitive season for DMU Equestrian who have worked harder than ever this year with some brilliant individual results and team scores, as well as extra BUCS points for the A team. A huge thank you to everyone who has took part in the teams, committee, fun days and supported us on our journey this year including Zoe Walker and Keith Fletcher who have taken various photos and videos for us. It is now safe to say Equestrian sport at DMU is here to stay, and a huge part of this is the support from DSU and all the staff who work to make us a better club and BUCS team. A final thank you to Vice Chancellor of the university Dominic Shellard, who has actively engaged with our club and given us the support and motivation required to get DMU sport performance levels higher and more successful.

Jenny Walker, Chairperson for the club was able to see all the hard work put into practice with the DMU display at Varsity.

"Despite the loss of the home advantage, both A and B team excelled expectations and rode to a higher standard than we have ever seen. Everyone arrived and left with a smile on their face and I am immensely proud of each and every rider. The hard work and dedication put in over the last few weeks in training really showed and the huge improvement that a final push in the last few weeks can have. DMU Equestrian has some promising young riders for the future of BUCS and Varsity!"

VARSITY 2014:

A TEAM:

Gemma Elliott

Georgia Aston

Clare Wilyman

Jenny Walker

B TEAM:

Gabbi Berrill

Charlotte Scott

Helen Whittle

Lizzie Mole

BUCS A team final cup match (Preparing for Varsity 2014)

After a successful year competing in the BUCS league, De Montfort A team were to ride in their last ever BUCS cup match of the season at Nottingham Trent University. The team have been competing solidly all year together and training every week in both dressage and show jumping disciplines with yard proprietor and dressage coach, Verity Saul of Witham Villa who has been getting them all into shape for the up and coming Varsity match against Leicester University. The final cup match was the last chance for the girls to have a go at riding the BUCS competition style before Varsity so the pressure was on to ensure a top performance from all riders.

Gemma Elliott A team rider (2nd year)

The standard of riding in this years A team league is higher than ever, with Sheffield, Nottingham, Nottingham Trent and De Montfort all aiming to secure, not just team wins, but individual placings which all contribute towards BUCS league points.

The team rode extremely well with lots of high scores for both dressage and show jumping with a wide variety of very challenging horses used for the day in order to test the riders to the absolute max. The fences were set at 90cm with a demanding show jumping course layout to ensure the competition bar was raised for the closing of the BUCS league. With a brilliant display shown by De Montfort the surprise of the day came from new rider, Georgia Aston who was placed 7th overall for the day, a fantastic personal achievement and result for the club. Georgia was extremely pleased with the result and feels her riding has really benefited from being a part of the University club.

"As the only fresher rider on the A team this year, I initially felt a little apprehensive about the challenging format of the BUCS competitions. However, I was supported every step of the way by my team and my riding has gone from strength the strength. Gaining an individual placing in our final league competition is something I would never have thought I'd have achieved at the start of the year, which goes to show that hard work and commitment really does pay off! Joining a team is the best thing I could have done as a first year, as well as achieving personal sporting goals, I have joined a network of wonderful people along the way which has made the transition to university life and enjoyable one."

Georgia Aston A team rider (1st year)

The BUCS league competitions are aimed at a wide variety of riders; those who have not competed who get the opportunity to join a team and experience the competitive world, rider's who want to challenge their skills further and achieve goals on a variety of horses and for those who may have lost confidence who want to get back into competing the BUCS matches are a fantastic way to experience a totally new world of equine competition.

Jenny Walker, Chair of the club is in her final year of riding for the equestrian team and has been a part of developing and expanding upon the positive work that has been put in place by every committee and team rider.

"Riding in BUCS has been the best experience throughout my time at De Montfort University. I have been fortunate enough to ride as part of the A team for three whole years and have loved every second of it! It has brought up many challenges for me, including competing against some of the best riders in the country, but I feel it has improved my versatility as a rider and given me a lot more confidence. The best part about it has to be the fact it is competed as a team, as generally in the equestrian world we are always competing individually. Having those three other riders by your side to praise and also push you is what makes BUCS a thoroughly enjoyable experience and I am extremely pleased to be a part of the rising success and journey to get equestrian sport bigger and better."

Jenny Walker A team captain (3rd year)

Both A and B team have been training very hard the last few weeks, not just in the saddle but also by par taking in local Pilates sessions ran by Physiotherapist, Sara Smith, that are especially designed for equine activity to improve balance, co-ordination and position whilst riding. The date has been set for 19th of March when both teams will head to Leicester University's yard in South Leicestershire to compete in the biggest match of the year. The B team and some intermediates will be setting off to compete at Sutton Bonnington Riding Club on Wednesday 12th of March to take part in some friendly show jumping all part of the preparations for Varsity 2014!

A final well done to De Montfort A team on their successful year competing and all the B team rider's for keeping up all their hard work training, which will hopefully see them return to campus with some red Varsity ribbons next week...

Keep up to date with all the latest from DMU Equestrian on Twitter @DMUEquestrian

Clare Wilyman A team rider (2nd year)