History of Equipoise

History of Equipoise

This page discusses the history of Equipoise from its beginning in 1992, describes the original vision using text from the earliest full page advertisement and provides an online brochure.

Early Beginnings

Equipoise was established in 1992 to answer the need in the equestrian community for a more efficient means of communicating information about sale horses across large distances in the world wide market. Equipoise is a service that relies on video vignettes (much like television commercials) to quickly and thoroughly communicate the natural beauty, training and attributes of horses to interested buyers. Equipoise sales referral service is enhanced by an international ad campaign and is supported by a comprehensive computer database. The combination of these elements remains unique in the industry.

The first national Equipoise ad ran as the outside back cover of The Chronicle of the Horse on September 3, 1993. It corresponded with our first sponsorship of a class in the Autumn Classic at New Hope Farms in Port Jervis, NY. The virtual telethon of enthusiastic calls we received from that ad confirmed we had the right idea. It is an idea that has propelled us with increasing success ever since.

By June 1, 1995 equipoise.com was online and we were happy to be one of the first, and remain one of the oldest, equine sites on the World Wide Web.

Today's Tools

We now use high quality digital editing equipment to produce vivid presentations of top quality sport horses from all over the U.S. and beyond. Our promotional materials have been translated into German, Italian and Spanish. We have short range plans to add Swedish and Hungarian and will continue expanding as needed. Equipoise tracks information using a comprehensive proprietary computer database that automates input and gives us fast access to a wealth of information about contacts and horses worldwide. Basic information is gathered twenty-four hours a day through our web site, by the operators of our 800 phone service and our FAX mail.

Give and Take

The Equipoise communications network is consolidated by our web page. This page also allows us to give something back to the industry. By publishing video tips that we've assembled over years of taping (in every conceivable situation), we provide a means for all videographers to improve their horse videos. This helps owners provide us with better original footage which, in turn, allows us to produce clearer, more informative finished videos. Things just get better and better.

Dear Horse Lover

Our first ad in The Chronicle was an open letter to the horse industry. That back page ad has remained with us as the first page of our printed brochure. At the time written, it presented our aspirations more than it did our accomplishments. Today it is more representative of what we are, but remains an outline of the vision of Equipoise which continues to be realized by degrees. Here it is:

Dear Horse Lover,

Top quality attractive horses are found all over the United States and Europe, not to mention throughout the world. There is a wide variety of choice but only one animal may match your particular tastes and needs. With so many possibilities spread over such an immense arena, the process of finding your one-true-horse can be time consuming and frustrating.

Equipoise can speed you along the trail to your perfect horse. We maintain a comprehensive video database of the world's finest and most exciting equine athletes. Tell us your preference in the desired horse's breeding, training, temperament and experience. Let us enchant you with dozens of horses matching your criteria, all viewed in their favorite settings. You will not hazard traveling so much as a mile between each viewing—only to chance upon a horse clearly not suited to your taste.

In the quiet comfort of our studios you will view horse after horse. You will glimpse the promise and virtue of each animal seen at its best. View again the portraitures of your favorites as you move closer to the horse you love. Only after you narrow the field to one or several best-choices will you need travel to individual owners and finalize your search.

It costs nothing to view the exquisite equine video-library at Equipoise. We are paid by the seller and our finder's fee is assessed from successful sales alone. If we do not precisely match horse to buyer and buyer to horse we do not get paid. It's as simple as that. Come window shop if you like. We are proud of our horse vignettes and just a bit excited to share them. We are also proud of our success rate.

Ask around! Equipoise means balance. It is how you should ride and how you should buy. It means the best animal for your needs and the quickest path to the horse of your dreams. Please call us for more information or a no-pressure viewing or reserve your invitation for when we are traveling in your area. We can't wait to show you what's out there!

Online Brochure

The following taken from our printed brochure, details the Equipoise system, philosophy and practice:

Philosophy and Goals

At Equipoise we believe the only way to establish long lasting business relationships is by providing solid product presented with uncompromising honesty and supported by excellent service. At the foundation of our work is our sense of responsibility to place horses in an environment that provides the best possible care and attention. We strive to support the notion that animals passing through our referral service should also come from good environments as well. For buyers we provide the most comprehensive information available on the horses viewed. For sellers we offer a presentation that sets the animals in their most attractive and appealing light. We achieve these goals through the combined use of video vignettes, a computerized database and intense research.

Putting Together Seller and Buyer

Although the main staple of Equipoise referrals is the exciting video stories about each animal, there is more to matching horse and rider than just pictures. In order to find the right horse for the right rider we must master a great deal of information. At Equipoise we use a computerized database to house information that makes it possible to compare a wide range of particulars as we move toward a match. Our automated database is also a necessity for managing our large store of video images.

When a horse is considered for inclusion in the Equipoise referral system many questions are asked according to the horse's training, experience, temperament, and breeding. Our procedures are rigorous and allow us the best, most comprehensive information possible. Since mistakes made at this stage slow down the process of matching rider and horse, we take extra care to make sure the information is accurate. Among other things all animals are vetted before inclusion to insure high quality information is provided. However we assume all buyers will have additional inspections completed by their own veterinary before purchase.

Buyers complete questionnaires that are virtual duplicates of seller questionnaires. The information gained from buyer questionnaires is used to help decide the probable quality of care and handling that will be provided once the animal is bought. We work to insure animals are being put into reasonable circumstances. The information provided by potential buyers is matched through computer analysis with the information provided by the various sellers. Database matches of buyer and sellers then indicate appropriate videos for presentation. The automated database search is used as an aid, but we freely add of our own insights gained from conversations with buyers.

Viewing the Equine Videos

Once appropriate information has been gathered and a database search has determined the videos to be shown, the viewing is scheduled. During the viewing, various videos are presented that introduce a number of choices to the buyer. The number of animals shown is agreed upon in advance based on requirements of the buyer. General profiles are shown for each stabling facility illustrating the type and quality of care provided. After each profile, videos of one or several horses from the facility which match the buyer's criteria are shown.

Videos are prepared in several sections with various levels of scrutiny established in each. If the first look is favorable a more detailed view is available to help refine the search. Views and reviews of different equine athletes narrow the search by degrees and allows the buyer to rethink first impressions in a relaxed, no pressure atmosphere.

When one or several horses have been chosen as appropriate the buyer is then referred to the stabling facilities for final inspections and purchase.

Sales Terms and Referrals

Neither buyer nor seller pay any up front costs incurred for initial video production, database search and video sales presentation. Fees are payed by the seller as a percentage from the gross of successful sales and are subject to prior agreement between the seller and Equipoise. Equipoise handles all filming and production of the equine vignette itself. All videos remain the express property of Equipoise with copyright and all rights of ownership reserved. Our base commission is 10% of the final gross sale price. Fees are due from the seller at the time transfer is made of possession and/or ownership of horse(s).

Equipoise assumes the buyer will scrutinize all claims with the understanding that health and condition of animals are subject to change at any time. Equipoise also assumes each buyer will have all animals given a final vetting by a qualified professional prior to closing on purchase. Equipoise is not responsible for claims made by the seller and only presents information provided in good confidence. Equipoise functions exclusively as a service for referral and does not itself maintain ownership, partial or full, of any horses presented for viewing. This allows us to maintain impartiality in our dealings and presentations.

Trade Affiliations

Equipoise is a recorded member of the American Horse Shows Association. Due to the unique and unprecedented nature of Equipoise's services, current trade associations do not have clear categories for our involvement; but we are continually researching additional associations to find the appropriate forums for our membership.

Equipoise is a yearly sponsor of the Winter Equestrian Festival, West Palm Beach, FL and the Autumn Classic, New Hope Farms, Port Jervis, NY. We also sponsor and contribute to a range of equestrian competitions throughout the United States.

See also: EQUIPOISE® MILESTONE