CASE STUDY
Nations Cup™ USA
Web Design for Olympic-Qualifying
International Horse Show
Client Overview:
Recently an Orange County Graphic Design Firm was brought on to promote the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ USA, equestrian sport’s oldest and most prestigious team challenge, with national teams from around the globe competing for one of the most coveted prizes in this Olympic discipline. The Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ is a ten-event series and May 2023 was the first time this event had ever been held on the west coast. Hosting the event locally in San Juan Capistrano was a historic first and an honor for California and the client, Blenheim EquiSports, the host of the premier horse jumping event.
The client urgently needed an online presence for their quickly approaching event in order to attract visitors, sponsors, vendors, and attendees. The client already had two websites created by a previous designer in WordPress (ThePlacetoJump.com and TheRidingPark.com). The client wanted the event website to be similar in style to their other website, while also adhering to the brand guide of the event organizers, the FEI, who have precise colors, fonts, and branding.
Solazzo Designs was brought on by an Orange County design firm to create a website specifically for the horse show because of Solazzo Designs’ web design expertise and previous relationship working with Blenheim EquiSports. Given the size and scope of the event, as well as the quick timeline, we collaborated on the project with the local graphic design firm as well as local PR agencies, and the client’s event planning team. The collaborative effort from experts in each specialty was both necessary and extremely successful.
Objectives:
Develop a visually captivating website for the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ USA, that promoted the event effectively and provided a seamless user experience.
Maintain stylistic consistency with the client’s existing websites while adhering to the FEI’s strict brand guidelines.
Facilitate online ticket sales for general admission and VIP experiences.
Provide accessible sponsor information and downloads to streamline sponsorship inquiries.
Collaborate with the graphic design firm to develop various marketing materials, including sponsor downloads, venue maps, visitor forms, and more for inclusion on the website.
Ensure alignment between the digital marketing strategy, PR efforts, and web design.
Provide ongoing updates to the website to reflect new sponsors, vendors, and event information in real-time.
Ensure accurate, up-to-date information to facilitate a seamless event experience.
Challenges:
Tight Deadline: Designing a fully functional website and marketing materials within a limited timeframe.
Complex Features: Incorporating functionalities such as ticket sales, sponsor downloads, and forms while ensuring smooth social media integration.
Dynamic Updates: Continuously adding and updating event information, sponsors, and vendors as the event approached.
Collaborative Effort: Coordinating with multiple teams from different fields to achieve a unified vision for the event.
Process:
To meet the tight timeline, weekly meetings with all stakeholders (Solazzo Designs, the graphic design team, PR team, social media team, event planning team, and client) were held for three months leading up to the event. These meetings ensured consistent updates, idea collaboration, and a shared understanding of goals.
Solazzo Designs meticulously planned the website’s structure and features. Recognizing the importance of a user-friendly and visually appealing design, we leveraged the Divi WordPress theme for consistency with the client’s existing sites. The layout facilitated easy navigation for a diverse audience, ranging from experienced equestrians to local community members curious about the event.
Website Features:
Ticket Sales: A secure, user-friendly system for purchasing general admission and VIP tickets. Ticket options ranged from grandstand seating to private field suites with several levels of curated VIP experiences.
Forms: Online forms for media credentials, vendor applications, volunteer sign-ups, and sponsor interest inquiries, streamlining communication and logistics.
Event Information Pages: Pages dedicated to providing essential event details, including the official program, grounds map, and general event information.
Community Events: Dedicated pages highlighted community-focused activities such as partnerships with local plein air artists, a kids zone, and local vendors offering food and goods.
Host Information Pages: Pages about Blenheim EquiSports, The Riding Park, and the City of San Juan Capistrano provided helpful context for attendees.
Visitor Information Pages: Comprehensive pages with lodging recommendations, parking details, directions, and FAQs to assist attendees in planning their visit.
Media Section: Included a photo gallery, press coverage of the event, and a section for media credential requests.
Sponsor Deck: A visually stunning downloadable sponsor deck featuring event details, sponsorship opportunities, and professional horse photography.
Real-Time Updates: Ongoing updates to reflect new sponsors, vendors, and event details.
Integrated Marketing: Collaboration with PR teams to add articles, news updates, and event buzz to the website and social media channels.
View some sample slides from the Sponsor Deck, below.
Due to the dynamic nature of the horse show and the consistent inflow of new event information leading up to the Nation’s Cup, we committed to providing continuous support and updates leading up to and during the event. We established a system to promptly update new sponsors, vendors, and event information on the website. By maintaining open communication with the client and team, we ensured that the website was always up-to-date, reflecting the latest developments in order to promote the event effectively.
Results:
Enhanced Online Presence: The visually captivating website and compelling marketing materials effectively promoted the event as a historic West Coast milestone. The enhanced online presence increased visibility and attracted a larger audience.
Improved User Experience: The intuitive navigation and seamless ticketing system provided attendees an exceptional user-friendly experience.
Increased Ticket Sales: High demand led to the addition of two extra grandstands, accommodating a total of 4,000 attendees over three days. All tickets, VIP tables, and cabanas sold out.
Satisfied Client: Continuous updates and prompt support ensured the organizers had the latest event information. The collaboration built a strong relationship, with the client praising the seamless project execution.
Conclusion:
The event was an overwhelming success! Every ticket sold out on Sunday. The sponsors, vendors, VIP attendees, Olympic-level horse jumpers and their teams, staff, and volunteers all sang high praises for what a beautiful event the team was able to pull off in such a short time. It truly was a collaborative effort between the event planning team, the Horse Show staff onsite, the graphic design and PR teams, and Solazzo Designs to provide such a beautiful event in southern California.
This case study highlights Solazzo Designs’ ability to deliver under tight deadlines and contribute significantly to the success of high-profile projects through thoughtful design, strategic collaboration, and continuous support.
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