As a hopeful future journalist for the equestrian world I have chosen equine journalism as my genre for the upcoming paper. Being a part of the horse community I don’t necessarily think that this genre is underappreciated, perhaps it is when compared to more acknowledged journalism genre like sports or pop culture. My interest in this genre not only stems from my 10+ years of experience I have from being involved in the community but also from my hope to become a successful equine journalist one day possibly working for Noelle Floyd and interviewing top riders as well as getting to travel to different competitions. A valuable reason to pay attention to this genre is that it can provide more knowledge and awareness to individuals who have no experience about the sport and the audience can also gain an insight to what goes on inside the “wealthy” high-society community.
In a community where everyone thinks they are a professional getting useful information can be quite the challenge that is why I intend to get my texts and examples from a variety of sources like magazine articles and interviews with top riders/trainers. Specific examples of my sources include:
- Noelle Floyd Magazine Issue 11: https://www.noellefloyd.com/pages/nf-magazine-issue-11
- George H. Morris interview with Animo Srl (part 1 of 5): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMZj44q3Xus
Context Analysis:
The setting of nonfiction equine journalism takes place in both hard copy and online copy of magazines, interviews that can be in print or in video clips, podcasts, blogs, and on social media. It’s usually used at the need of the reader, when the reader wants to read it they can almost access it anywhere. I think other genres that may interact with equine journalism are possibly sports journalism, thriller and anticipation, but also inspirational and thoughtful like heart provoking stories can be told in articles too which brings up the subject. The subject of equine journalism takes place over a vast variety of topics, issues, and ideas can include recent or future competitions, training methods for students and trainers, interviews with top professional riders, the occasional heartfelt story or a rescue horse, and many more ideas.
Writers of such material are usually people with horse experience themselves so they understand the jargon that is being used. Multiple writers can be possible since there are different sources and platforms that such material can be reached. Important characteristics that a person writing in this genre must have would be an open mind, and passion for the subject material. Most of the writing that is published under this genre is for one’s profession.
Reader type for this genre varies from young to old riders, community members, and those who are interested in joining the community. Characteristics of readers include a very strong passion for horses and riding, the desire to learn more and listen to a variety of sources for knowledge, and an open mind. Readers can read the material in waiting rooms, for leisure, wanting to find a solution to a problem, etc. The overall purpose of the genre is to mainly inform its reader, to influence and persuade the reader what goals they should be reaching, and to provide the reader with more knowledge and different viewpoints on ways to do different things with your partner (the horse), or build confidence in a reader that may feel insecure.
As someone that’s not very comfortable around horses, this genre definitely seems underappreciated and I’m somehow fascinated by it now. Horseback riding, as far as I know, is generally a high-class sport and I’m wondering if the style of the journalism itself reflects that. To what extent is the audience an exclusive inner circle? You’re describing a wide variety of journalism to wide demographics, and I’m curious as to whether any tropes exist that are consistent throughout all the types of articles you described: competitions, training methods, interviews, and heartfelt stories. I think this is really cool, despite my cluelessness, and in reading a full paper about this I would like to understand the expectations that readers have when picking up the magazines. You mentioned they serve to build confidence and I’m curious as to how that plays out, or maybe an example.