Sales Video Tips and Pointers


Hi – we met at the Pam Goodrich Clinic.
I would like a link to the article – I have a 3 yo WBx (DW, Holsteiner, TBX) bay white pinto and may have to sell him .  Your article might help me with my decision making process.
Your website is very informative – I will definitely recommend you folks to anyone looking to sell their horse.
Anyway, I wanted to follow up with you guys – not that I’m in the business of selling horses but since I’m sometimes asked to prepare videos for folks thought it would be helpful to followup our conversation at PG clinic – Anyway, here are links to some videos I’ve edited,
Thanks for looking – would appreciate any comments, feedback, etc.
Thanks much.

It was nice to meet you and Bob at the clinic a few weeks ago.

Here is the link to the article. http://impulsionunlimited.com/buying_and_selling.htm My suggestion with him would be to get him going under saddle before trying to sell him. There are a ton of unbroken 3 y/o’s out there and unfortunately, they are not bringing a lot.

It was hard from your video to get a good feel for temperament, and basic gaits which is what I would be trying to evaluate. If he lunges, in tack, I would show that and a few minutes of walk trot cantor at liberty in an indoor or enclosed arena. Some people will also show the following but I generally don’t.

  • Grooming

  • Tacking – Untacking

  • Walk and Trot straight away and to the camera on a lead line

  • Loading on and off a trailer (in standing wraps)

My still shots are generally conformation and a nice head and neck shot (braids are recommended)

Front, Back, Side  showing all for legs (open pose) all shot with a 50mm lens to minimize distortion

Total length of completed video should be 3-5 minutes.

Under saddle footage for sales videos

This is going to vary depending upon the level of the horse and discipline being shown.

If the horse is supposed to be first level dressage horse for example, I want to show all of the movements expected for that level. The USDF dressage tests are a great place to start. So, I would be looking for basic gaits walk, trot/canter straight and 15M circles both directions, counter canter both leads, stretchy circle at trot, trot lengthening on the diagonal etc.. The horse should be spotlessly clean, in wraps and braided. I generally shoot from the center line or a quarter line position and prefer early or late day lighting if I can get it.

The rider should be the best rider to show off the horse and it’s potential. The rider should look professional, be well turned out as not distract from the horse. IE. no tank tops and bouncing Betties. Location should also represent the horse well (a dressage arena in this case). I do throw a few stills into the tape (less is more) a head shot a couple of great trot shots, maybe a canter shot. Usually I take these with the my Nikon but can also get good shots out of the editing software by shooting 29 Frames a Second (non-interlaced). I try to keep these videos under 7 min total.  Some people really like lot’s of creative presentation in their videos, but I feel that it is easy to over do it and then it becomes a distraction to the subject matter. I hope this is helpful for you.

Jeff

About Jeff Johnson

Impulsion Unlimited Dressage Horse Sales and Representation is owned and Operated by USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze Medalist, Susan Cooper and Jeff Johnson. Together, we have over 40+ years experience training, showing and marketing dressage horses and we help avoid mistakes while making the process of buying or selling, faster, easier and informative. Sue began dressage lessons as a teenager and went straight to the top to get the best help possible. Her education has included such great teachers as Dorothy Morkis, Gina Smith, Pam Goodrich and Carol Lavell. Under the guidance of Carol Lavell, Sue achieved her USDF gold medal in 1998. She is proud to say that she has also earned her USDF Bronze, and Silver medals on horses she trained. Jeff's experience with buying and marketing of dressage horses spans 20 years. His focus is on understanding your needs, abilities and aspirations. Buying your next horse is about you and your needs first not our horses. Our measure of Success is in the Match
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