Vineland, NJ January 23 2004--Global Horse Network, the brainchild of Robin R. Ruberti launches this on the Internet, offering horse-lovers and entrepreneurs a new way to communicate. The main site, www.globalhorsenetwork.com, provides national equestrian content and resources, while individual state sites such as www.newjerseyhorse.com offer local information for the equestrian community. Global Horse Network is the first site on the Internet to offer both global and regional equestrian content.
The organization’s goal is to launch 50 state sites, with the first round kicking off in January. These sites include: newjerseyhorse.com, pennsylvaniahorse.com, connecticuthorse.com, kentuckyhorseonline.com, marylandhorse.com, massachusettshorse.com, newyorkhorseonline.com, northcarolinahorse.com, ohiohorse.com, virginiahorseonline.com, delawarehorseonline.com and westvirginiahorse.com. “Our state sites have the same look, feel and navigation,” said Ruberti. “We’ve designed the site so the navigation is as easy as possible for visitors to find the information they are looking for, no matter what site and state they are searching.”
“The network of sites builds a unique online community for people with an interest in horses,” said Ruberti, CEO and President of Global Horse Network. The organization’s goal is to unite the global equine community, while providing regional forums for classified advertising, events and online communication including chat and bulletin boards. The state sites give users the ability to share information about favorite riding areas; plan outings; post competition results and give meeting dates and times for clubs. Additionally, there are classified advertising opportunities for buying and selling horses and equipment including tack, trailers and clothing. “This is an ideal way for riders, tack shop owners and trainers to connect.”
Mike Campbell from the Thoroughbred Breeders Association of New Jersey agreed, saying, “GlobalHorseNetwork.com is an important site because it offers one-stop shopping and networking for anyone involved with horses.” Campbell advertises on site and links to newjerseyhorse.com from the association’s web site.
“People can visit the site, browse the bulletin boards, get information and chat for free,” said Ruberti. “Visitors are invited to post their first text classified advertisement at no charge.” Future classified advertisements are priced at $5 a month, with photo ads costing $10 a month. The site also features a wealth of free content including monthly articles on a variety of equine topics, photo contests and a directory listing clubs, stables and local businesses related to the horse industry. Ruberti also plans to be the first site to incorporate broadband webcasting by placing cameras in parks, stables, auction areas,
racetracks and venues that host major equine events.
There are sponsorship opportunities and banner advertisements available for businesses looking to target the equestrian community. “We are presently negotiating with corporations, including large feed companies and automotive manufactures, who want major positioning on the site,” said Ruberti. “The equestrian market is a very desirable market segment, especially when you can drill down into specific regions of the country.” According to Ruberti, there is prime advertising real estate available on the site, but it is moving fast. “We have a first come, first serve advertising scheme for all the state sites,” said Ruberti. “The folks purchasing adverting now are guaranteed top positioning.” The sites’ banner adverting is self-administrating, giving advertisers the power to change images and text at their leisure.
Ruberti has worked tirelessly over the past few months building momentum and forging partnerships for the unique network of sites. ‘It is very important that people involved with horses participate in the site,” said Ruberti. “This is a grassroots site, designed to connect riders and promote clubs like 4H in addition to larger events and happenings.”
One successful partnership recently completed is with the Equine Science Center, a program of Cook College at Rutgers University. Experts at Rutgers will answer email questions from visitors regarding health related topics for horses. “We are very excited to be working with Rutgers,” said Ruberti. “We are finding that horse enthusiasts and experts from around the US are very eager to participate in this unique online community.”
For additional information about the Global Horse Network, visit www.globalhorsenetwork.com.
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