January 2012 Newsletter

If you haven't noticed the new collage on the home page, check it out! (it's on the top left under the CHC banner on the home page) This section of the home page will change each quarter or so. Make sure you respond to the public request for photos just as these gals did and you may be part of the next CHC collage! The photos were provided by Running Horse Farm, Top O the Hill Farm, Curly Standard Place and Susan Lejonhud. Thank you for contributing Ladies!
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Beautiful morning here in upper Michigan...a mild 23F. As some of you know, 2011 was a very crazy busy year for me. BOTH my children got married, the RAC (Ride-A-Curly Contest) was on fire and our Embroidery Business ( OMD Embroidery & Imprinting ) had the busiest year in several years. (Praise God) So if you didn't get a prompt response from me or your ad took an extra day to get posted or edited, I sincerely apologize.
With the RAC contest on a hiatus, my focus for 2012 is centered on the Curly Horse Country website which means brainstorming on new ideas for promoting, encouraging, inspiring and presenting new information all over the world about this amazing breed. My hope is to distribute this monthly newsletter to keep all of you informed as the year progresses. I hope you will stop by and visit often and be involved. Without all of you, Curly Horse Country would not be what it is today! I can't thank you all enough!
So without further adieu, here is the Newsletter for January 2012.
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End of Year - Website Analytics for Curly Horse Country
As the 2012 gets well under way, Curly Horse Country leaves behind a fantastic year. Thanks to your support, the website received
52,908 visits from 134 countries/territories in 2011! On average of 4,409 visits per month. The top pages being Curly Horses for Sale in both the USA and in Europe and Curly Stallions at Stud. I was so pleased to see this! As many of you know, my main mission for CHC was to drive traffic to the website to help support and keep quality Curly breeders in business!
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Now based on that, if you are feeling discouraged because your ads have not received any interest or attracted any buyers, I would start by suggesting the following:
1. Read the following article, Sell Your Curly.
2. Find ways to make your curly ad stand out. What makes your horse different or special? For star ads, I would suggest taking advantage of the unlimited text and writing as much as you can about your horse, temperament, things he/she has done, training, potential etc. PERSONALIZE IT as much as possible. Remember when shopping online, a buyer wants to feel connected to you and to your horses. The trust of the seller is the key to the sale.
3. QUALITY photo(s) AND video are a huge asset for selling horses online today. This is where I would seek out a friend to help you. If you take your time and present your horse to the best of your ability, it will increase your exposure and interest, trust me! =]
4. Price. Make sure your price is based on market value and you can justify that price to the buyer. In this day and age, buyers want to know their money is being wisely spent. Having said that, If you have posted an ad and you don't get immediate response, don't panic and lower your price. I think this might be a mistake. 1. If you have done your homework and researched proper market value, then you should be able to stand with confidence on the price of your curly for sale. 2. By lowering the price so quickly you may indicate to buyers that you don't have confidence in the curly you are selling. Serious buyers usually always ask if the price is firm which gives you a chance to negotiate if you feel it's the best home for your curly. Please make sure that you go to points 1, 2 and 3 above before doing this. Often times it is not the price that is discouraging buyers, it is the presentation of your ad. If you have done all those things, then it's just time to wait it out. The right buyer will come along. =]
I'd love to help anyone that needs advice on this. Feel free to email me with questions.
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New Article on Curly Horse Country
If you haven't noticed yet, there is a brand new article on CHC:
Slow Feeders for Horses
Check it out! With the help of Adria Halstead Johnson of Green Mountain Curlies, Inc. and Michelle Ives of Chestnut Hill Curlies, we hope you will understand the benefits of this feeding program and concept. I personally have found it life changing for me and for my horses!
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FIFTEEN (15) new Tack Ads!
Check out the Tack Barn on CHC! 15 new tack listings! Bits, reins, blankets, bridles, books and much more! If you would like to list your tack for sale. Email me and I can offer you a discount this month!
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Curly Events Calender
We need YOUR CURLY EVENTS! Our events calender is ghastly bare! Please help fill it up with curly events so people across the country and world can see Curlies in person! Contact me to post your listing or event.
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Ride-A-Curly International Riding Contest Champions
Announcing the year end Champions of the RAC! All 101 participants are winners in my book! Thank you all for an outstanding year and for promoting the Curly Horse. KEEP IT UP!
GIDDY UP GALS: (Ladies Division)
Grand Champion: Tiffany Beechinor
Reserve Grand Champion : Zoe Lirakis
JACK BENNY: (55 and over)
Grand Champion: Betsy Lirakis
Reserve Grand Champion : Ann Washington
CURLY TEAM (1 curly, 1 rider)
Grand Champion: Donna Wilson
Reserve Grand Champion : Susan Lejonhud
THE COWBOYS (Mens Division)
Grand Champion: Jim Washington
Reserve Grand Champion : Tom Baldwin
WRANGLERS: (17 and under, boys & girls)
Grand Champion: Ashley Ostman
Reserve Grand Champion : Ashlee Bell
GROUND DIVISION: (optional add on division)
Grand Champion: Donna wilson
Reserve Grand Champion : Betsy Lirakis
SPECIAL AWARD:
COMMUNITY BLOG:
This award was given to the person that posted & commented the most on the RAC blog. The blog is an essential part of the RAC because it encourages, motivates and builds friendships. Thank you Susan!!
Susan Lejonhud
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INCENTIVE AWARDS:
Medals are given based on the RAC point system (riding points only). 1 hour = 4 points. Awards given when a rider reaches the following point goals: 150, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250, 1500 etc. Points are rolled into the following RAC year if you continue to pay to be in the program.
Ashley Ostman: 3250
Betsy Lirakis: 5750
Laurie Bryan: 1500
Susan Lejonhud: 2750
Zoe Lirakis: 6000
Marlene Elliott: 150
Dana Leibfried: 2750
Jessica Venhorst: 1000
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If you would like to place an ad on Curly Horse Country or advertise your farm, equine business or product, please email me or visit Placing an Ad or Advertising on CHC.
Also if you have any suggestions on how to make CHC better, please email me.
Don't forget to "like" Curly Horse Country on facebook and stay up to date on daily updates!!
Thank you for your support and wishing you all an amazing 2012!
Sincerely, Denise Conroy
(Curly boys: Reese, Bear and Ziggy!)
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