Top ECRRA money earner Ian McBride and EF Southern Belle owned by JJ Martin
In 2017, a new association called East Coast Ranch Riding Association, or ECRRA, proved itself to meet the needs of equestrians and the growing popular discipline of Ranch Riding in a struggling industry. The association spread from its simple beginning in three states; in just three years it progressed to three regions which included over a dozen states, even hosting the first ever Regional Championship in conjunction with the Keystone International Livestock Exposition, KILE, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in the fall of 2019.
At the onset of 2020, the founders of ECRRA were anticipating their best year. As members and entries grew beyond expectations, their goal of enhancing riders from any level proved to be a viable desire that needed fulfilled. But a storm was brewing which was about to affect every tributary and crevice on the globe…COVID-19.
From March until June of 2020, the horse show world slid to a devastating halt. Terry Helder and his wife Peg have owned and managed Evergreen Farms since 1986 and struggled like many businesses, especially the horse industry, to survive during the pandemic. Peg, one of the four founders of ECRRA, brainstormed for ideas to maintain what they built as a success and to continue helping equestrians follow their dreams. In typical entrepreneur fashion, Peg became enthusiastic about Charlie Cole’s The Virtual Horse Show approach. Although the virtual show idea was not new to the industry, Charlie Cole, a renowned trainer and horseman, had incredible success.
Following that virtual trail, Peg suggested this would be a terrific way to continue the momentum of ECCRA. Peg discussed with horsewoman Bonnie Miller, an International judge and one of the 2020 AQHA World Show judges, the success of Cole’s unique virtual showing which has over 21,000 members. After positive vibes, she presented her thoughts to Terry and the other founders, Chad and Gina Moshier.
Terry, however, was reluctant as he couldn’t connect to virtual. “It just did not feel real.” But Peg insisted that horse lovers could still have enthusiasm for showing during these devastating times. This would continue the ECRRA forum of allowing everyone to show with or without trainers and educate every rider to be a better equestrian no matter their ability.
Chad, the owner of Moshier Pleasure Horses, and his wife Gina are the talented techies behind the organization. Gina agreed with Peg saying, “This would be a welcomed distraction to pick people up.” With the theme of creating a fun and meaningful environment, Gina devised a format for ECRRA. She designed and reorganized some classes; for example, Ranch Pleasure which is normally performed as a group, was curtailed as an individual run with the rider receiving a personal score.
“At first, it was very scary,” Gina remarked. “Would we even have 10 entries?” Lives had changed drastically during the pandemic. People were suffering from a lack of jobs and wages. Some had to move horses home because they couldn’t afford board, let alone trainers. And then there were actual show hurdles, some as simple as how to replace trophies, physical prizes, or ribbons. Others were not as simple to solve, like camera requirements, filming quality, and providing a place to sign up, view runs and information. Many questions loomed. However, by June 5, the first virtual show opened the gates with new experimental rules.
While some New England organizations found the courage to physically show on location, the Central Pennsylvania region did not, hence the first virtual show of trials and errors emerged. However, Gina said that after the first virtual show, the rest went smoothly. In fact, virtual showing actually had many pluses once they developed the perfect plan for proper procedure.
First, each virtual show extended over two weekends. So, if the show opened on June 5 for example, the patterns would become available for viewing on the first day and the entire weekend June 6 and 7 until the following weekend of June 13 and 14. The show would close at 7pm on the 15th. While the two weekends do extend out the work for the managing committee, the rider benefits and can enter and show even if away or working. This allows for more flexibility and is amenable to everyone’s lifestyles.
Any camera will do.
And here is what virtual ECRRA showing looks like: Go to the Facebook page ECRRA Virtual Show Series and join.
There is no wait to be approved. Remember, both nonmembers and members can compete. Another advantage is that no one has to be in a particular region. Below is a quick and easy rundown.
- Sign up via email
- Pay with PayPal
- Patterns online the first day of the show
- Post your own video for each class or picture for halter
- Post the video as a comment
- Must upload
- Prizes will be cash back with PayPal
The season has far exceeded the founders’ expectations. There were many unexpected advantages:
- Higher quality judges
- Exhibitors could pay extra for critiques
- Also, entries could do a comparison by viewing other riders’ scores their rides
- More entries beyond regions, global
- More members
- The club does not have the expenses such as grounds, or travel expenses for judges or selves
The organization even held a virtual championship and the results can be found on the Facebook page. This year the highest booty for championship was $400 won by Ian McBride. The association made more in the first two weeks of showing than previous years.
There were minimal disadvantages. An unexpected major one was that the management team thought jitters would ease because of showing alone with no audience, however just the opposite happened—entrants reached for perfection, creating anxiety, sometimes re-filming numerous times. Every rider seemed to share this expectation and the ability to re-ride until they were content.
Terry believes the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Actually, Gina said, the virtual showing enhanced the goals of the club by collectively raising the bar.
And as for the future of virtual showing, the ECRRA association recently sent out a survey. By maintaining some virtual showing, everyone around the world would have access. The association is projecting and preparing to address a mix of physical and virtual.
If there is some glimmer of light in the pandemic, ECRRA’s transformation has led to a learning experiment with a promising outcome. Terry says for example, an entrant from England where no Ranch Horse Shows are available in her location was able to be very competitive with her quality quarter horses. Now, she will tell her friends. Terry was also impressed with the ease of Gina’s design. Social media for this reason has been very positive, making connections to reach people never able to be involved in the program.
This has made COVID-19 an unlikely positive. The virtual showing has helped reduce anxiety for some during this devastating pandemic. Judges and entries have been engaging and enthusiastic, as projected. And judges can sit in their PJs if they choose! The goal to help riders of any caliber improve has been fulfilled in virtual showing. This made a believer out of Terry. Another sliver of good news for 2020: Virtual entry numbers exceeded 1900.
Alicia Stephens Martin is a businesswoman and writer from South Central Pennsylvania, author of two novels Spurred to Justice and Private Mom, she has written many articles for salon and equestrian publications. Her third novel, Spurred to Jump, should leap onto shelves in 2021.