Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Dressage: British Equestrian Asks - Just what do the Dressage public really want?

British Dressage is going places…medals galore, a vibrant membership from grass roots to the elite, loyal support, strong sponsor relations, world-class competitions, breeding programmes and a genuine feel-good factor. But who are our audience and what do they think of us?  Are we getting things right?  Could we do more?  Do we offer value for money in these difficult economic times?  How can we reach more grass roots competitors?  So many questions…but the Great British Dressage Survey 2011 will help find the answers.

Sport England’s Active People survey tells us in excess of 35,000 in Britain compete in Dressage.  Our 13,000 paid members equate to 37% of them but who are the remaining riders, why aren’t they members and how to reach them?   British Dressage launched a free Associate membership in  March 2010 and already there are now just under 13,000 members.   This will be one of the target areas for the survey as they have a strong interest in dressage but don’t compete in affiliated competition.  BD aims to find out what all these groups want from membership, competitions and training so that changes can be made.

British Dressage Chief Executive Amanda Bond commented; “Our associate membership has proved a popular initiative but we now need to learn more about them and what their needs are.  The management team at BD are currently reviewing all our membership packages and this Survey will help answer so many questions so that we then come up with suitable products.  We want dressage to be every rider’s first choice so it’s important to listen and provide what our audience needs.”

Win over £1250 worth of goodies with British Dressage

The Great British Dressage Survey is now live online and anyone with an interest in the sport is welcome to take part.  Supporters Dressage Deluxe and Cavallo have joined with British Dressage to provide a fantastic ‘Great British Kit Out’ prize for those who respond – a top-to-toe competition outfit, a year’s BD horse and rider membership and a VIP day out at the Dressage Deluxe National Championships in September.  The package is worth over £1250 so it’s well worth taking a few moments out to complete the survey.

British Dressage would love to hear from you – member or unaffiliated, owner or judge, sponsor or groom, volunteer or follower – visit http://surveys.customersmatter.co.uk/BD/bd2011.htm to take part today!