The world of horses has entered the digital age via HorseCity.com, where Web surfers can get up-to-date information about their favorite equine events, buy riding gear and even win or purchase horses.
HorseCity.com, a subsidiary of Morris Communications Corp., which owns The Augusta Chronicle, has been on-line since 1997 and now is visited by more than 500,000 horse enthusiasts each month.
In this information age, horse owners and fans want up-to-the-minute news on their avocation. So it was only natural that they turn to the World Wide Web for current news.
``The use of multimedia web developers with horse backgrounds gives us the edge by allowing us to create an environment online for horse enthusiasts, by horse enthusiasts,'' said HorseCity.com General Manager Ryan Dohrn.
HorseCity.com offers in-depth horse news by making use of articles from Morris Communications magazines such as Quarter Horse News, Barrel Horse News, WPRA Rodeo News and other affiliate magazines. The site also has authoritative information about English events, and that information includes original work of the HorseCity.com staff and material written by free-lance.
``We have excellent content, and we have found a niche market. And our viewers are general horse enthusiasts, and we cater to their needs,'' said Anne Moss, content director for the English riding events. ``We're like reading a magazine on the Internet.''
But if anyone wants to move from reading about horses to owning horses, that can be accomplished on-line also.
``We give away a horse a month,'' Ms. Moss said. ``That has become real popular.''
She said entrants can sign up for the drawings on the Internet.
But she said that HorseCity.com checks on the winners to ensure that the horses will be well treated. ``We have the people checked out. We have the facilities checked out before we hand the horse over to them,'' Ms. Moss said.
In addition, horses can be bought and sold on the Web site.
And if the new horse owner wants to get decked out in new riding gear, that is available also. Everything from boots to bridles is available through an affiliation with one of the best on-line retailers.
HorseCity.com offers multimedia content as well. Mr. Dohrn said HorseTV.net, a service of HorseCity.com, gives home PC users the opportunity to watch portions of the nation's biggest horse shows on-line.
Horse-related businesses and events can find a home on-line at HorseCity.com through the Web-hosting services.
HorseCity.com also offers information on equine events, horse games and training tips.
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