Recently I came across Equine Video Pro on Instagram. I reached out about this horse focused niche and Jay was kind enough to answer some questions about this kind of work!
How much of your day/week is related to horses?
Most of my time. I ride and have a horse so my spare time is spent at the yard. My work time is increasingly horse based as well.
What is it exactly that you do?
I am a video producer. I run a video production company that makes films for anyone that wants to outsource their content from longer form content to social media films. During covid I put the smartphone training I do online as a course which is aimed at small business owners who want to grow their brand or business online.
Last year I made Equine Video Pro which is an online course for equestrians.
In this field of work, is it possible to be a full-time professional and earning a liveable income?
Yes, video has provided me with a living. I used to work in TV. I trained at the BBC in London and worked on tons of TV shows.
In 2007 I set up my own video production company and have had to pivot and evolve over the years, to keep abreast of changing video needs which has kept me busy.
What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
It is not just a case of using a smartphone to shoot video today. A lot of people say they are videographers, but it is hard to have all the skills needed to set up, produce, direct, script edit and market video. So I always advise people to play to their strengths and niche down on providing a service that plays to your skills.
In the equestrian world having video skills is very useful for younger people. I have a lot of riders who have paid for their grooms to do my course as they need so much footage now for owners, sponsors and colabs that having a member of staff who can shoot is a major plus point.
Yard owners find they can promote their business and tack shops have all taken to producing their own content. For equestrians it has been really important to learn how to do it all on your smartphone. So I created the course to show people how to do everything on the phone and on the move as that is the reality of life for many.
I also do a lot of work with vets and equestrians wanting to set up their own online training courses and that’s been a game changer for many of them, realising that they can learn how to make their own course content.
Favourite horse memory?
Aged 12 on my pony Arabesque at Pony Club camp. We got to go to Goodwood House in Sussex which is the most beautiful stately home and we were allowed to do our dressage tests on the front lawn. Never had such a glam time since!!
Future goals?
To be able to help more equestrians with video. I created the course as I saw so many equine businesses getting left behind and I wanted to help non techie people who hate social media find an easy way to create content that worked for them. It’s been really great working with a group of people where I so totally understand their pain points.
Best thing about your sport/profession?
Having friends from 6 to 60. I love how a passion for horses brings people together and horse people are a good crowd. They all have an opinion that’s for sure but when the chips are down horse people are the ones that really get what’s going on and help you out.
