TOWARDS A NEW ERA OF COLLABORATION AND NETWORKING
Ideas shared by the Team of Knots Equestrian and words of its founder Linnea Manfè. A free-minded reflection, spacing from a manifesto of our values to some more general considerations about the future of equine industry in a constantly evolving environment.
ESTABLISHED IN 2020, KNOTS EQUESTRIAN IS A YOUNG BRAND THAT AIMS TO STAND OUT IN ITS FIELD. MANY ARE ALREADY ACQUAINTED WITH THE QUALITY OF OUR PRODUCTS, BUT OUR BRAND IS NOT JUST THAT.
KNOTS EQUESTRIAN IS A LABEL CAPTURING THE SPIRIT OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM AND RESPONDING TO THE INPUTS OF AN EVOLVING WORLD AND MODERN EQUESTRIANS, THUS RESONATING WITH THE IDEALS AND AMBITIONS OF ITS YOUNG FOUNDER.
The brand’s core and constant source of inspiration is and will always be equestrian sport, lifestyle and the charming reality revolving around them, no matter how the label will evolve in the future. There are few other sports boasting such an extensive tradition rooted in history as equestrian sports do. There are values linked to equestrianism that are generally acknowledged: throughout the centuries, it has become synonymous for elegance and inner nobleness, also reflected in the dignified presence and movements of the horse. Such a fact cannot be overlooked, especially by a young brand wishing to leave their mark.
There are many valuable elements to be retrieved from tradition; one of them is, for instance, the excellence of past manufacturing techniques. Products were made with more time expenditure and using qualitative natural fibers. Tailoring and true artisans were in greater demand than they are today.
THE KEY IS TO DRAW FROM THE PAST AND BLEND WITH MODERN KNOWLEDGE.
On one hand, it is exactly to the before mentioned elements of the past that Knots Equestrian wishes to hold on. We want to keep alive the appreciation of handcrafting from high-quality pure materials, mixing old techniques with new innovative technologies. By proposing qualitative, sustainable and unique pieces, we wish to offer a high value alternative to the concept of fast-fashion that has been translated in recent years to the manufacture of equestrian equipment as well.
“ WE BELIEVE THAT THE BEST RESULTS ALWAYS COME BY LAYERING ELEMENTS OF OLD AND NEW. WE SHOULD AIM TO PICK OUT THE BEST OF EACH AGE AND BRING THESE ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN NEW COMBINATIONS.
ALL OUR PRODUCTS ARE PARTLY OR ENTIRELY HANDMADE AND WE ARE RIGOROUS ABOUT KEEPING ALL STAGES OF PRODUCTION IN ITALY . HAVING BEEN SO LUCKY TO BE BORN AND RAISED IN A COUNTRY AS RESOURCEFUL AS ITALY, I FEEL THE NEED AND DESIRE TO SHOWCASE ITALIAN KNOW- HOW ABROAD AND MANIFEST MY APPRECIATION TOWARDS ALL THE DEDICATED AND SKILLED ARTISANS WE HAVE IN ITALY. ARTIGIANATO IS A KNOWLEDGE AND SECTOR THAT WE CANNOT LET FADE AWAY."
LINNEA MANFÈ, FOUNDER AND OWNER.
THE WAY OF DOING EQUESTRIAN BUSINESS IS POSITIVELY EVOLVING INFLUENCED BY GLOBAL TRENDS.
While remaining loyal to tradition, we at Knots Equestrian are trying our best to bring new insights and perspectives into the way we work: our activity is strongly characterised by openness to collaboration and networking.
Collaboration seems to be the hot topic of the new era we are witnessing. Nowadays distances have shrunk and it is increasingly easy to come into contact with like-minded people even when physically separated by long distances. Thanks to online resources, new ways to collaborate and exchange ideas have opened. We have gained a much larger source of inspiration and knowledge. Businesses should make the most of such opportunities.
The birth of Knots Equestrian itself was made possible by the technology of our interconnected world.
“BY ALWAYS BEING VERY TRANSPARENT AND REALISTIC ABOUT OUR LIMITS AND POSSIBILITIES AS A SMALL BRAND, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COMBINE EFFORTS WITH MANY SKILLED PROFESSIONALS. WE HAVE CO-CREATED PROJECTS TOGETHER, HELPING EACH THER OUT AND GAINING MUTUAL BENEFITS. WE ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO REGARD MANY OF THESE FANTASTIC, SKILLED PROFESSIONALS AS FRIENDS NOW.”
The brand is still a small-scale reality and it is in the plans to keep it as such; this allows us to perform rigorous quality checks and keep it on a human scale, investing time and resources in customer care. This does not prevent us from aiming to catch up with other bigger realities that have been in the sector for longer, though. We intend to reach this goal one tiny step at a time, taking special care of the network of contacts we are weaving around ourselves, building a positive environment and guarding the relationships with our beloved clients and our collaborators. Cooperating with other realities of the sector boosts the potential of all parties. Not only, it makes the whole process more enjoyable.
In our short history, we have already teamed up with several athletes, photographers, marketing experts and other creative minds. Clearly we cannot accept every proposal, but if we happen to turn down one it is only because of the fact that on that specific occasion we would not have been able to give our 110% commitment to the project.
A NEW COLLABORATION HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED: WE JOIN FORCES WITH
GLOBAL EQUINE SOLUTIONS.
At the current moment there is a new partnership ready to debut: an exciting collaboration with Global Equine Solutions, a new equestrian marketing agency with all the requisites to become a leader in its field.
Joining forces will mean being able to offer an enhanced branding & representation service to professionals of the equestrian sports both on the show ground and online.
Moreover, it is a great example of how two young enterprises are there to support each other.
Visit our partner's website to discover all the services on offer.
“WE ARE VERY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THIS NEW COLLABORATION. GLOBAL EQUINE SOLUTIONS HAS BEEN SET UP BY YOUNG, DYNAMIC MINDS AND WE SHARE MANY COMMON VALUES.”
MORE OPENNESS AND DIALOGUE TO THE SPORT AS WELL
“COOPERATION AMONG PROFESSIONALS IN THE SAME FIELD STILL CANNOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED AT ALL TIMES. FOR SURE, IT WAS NOT COMMONPLACE IN THE PAST CENTURY, WHEN EVERY BUSINESS STRIVED TO JUST BEAT THE CONCURRENCE, AND TRANSITION TAKES TIME. CLOSE-MINDEDNESS IS STILL AN ISSUE THAT IS TOO OFTEN ENCOUNTERED IN THE EQUESTRIAN WORLD, AS WELL AS IN OTHERS OF COURSE. I AM DRAWING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE TOO, AS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE RUN INTO IN ITALY BOTH AS RIDER AND BUSINESS OWNER."
Many priceless opportunities risk to end up wasted when a desire to gain monopoly and prevail take over.
“TAKING THE WORLD OF EQUESTRIAN SPORT UNDER EXAMINATION, IN STABLES THERE IS SOMETIMES AN ALMOST PROPRIETORIAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS CLIENTS. A VERY STRONG COMPETITION CAN BE SENSED BETWEEN DIFFERENT STABLES AND TRAINERS, WHO AT TIMES APPEAR RELUCTANT TO WORK TOGETHER WITH FELLOW PROFESSIONALS IN THE TRAINING OF A YOUNG ATHLETE OR HORSE, FOR EXAMPLE, AS IF THIS COULD SOMEWAY LESSEN THEIR COMPETENCE. WHEN TRYING TO OVERCOME A DIFFICULTY, IT IS VERY RARE THAT HELP WOULD BE SOUGHT OUTSIDE IN ORDER TO FIND A NEW SOLUTION. IF A CLIENT ASKED FOR ANOTHER TRAINER'S VIEW OR ADVICE, THIS WOULD EASILY BE PERCEIVED AS SIGN OF MISTRUST IN THE OWN TRAINER'S ABILITY AND MAY RISK TO WASTE THE ATHLETE-TRAINER RELATIONSHIP.”
Dialogue and cooperation should instead always be regarded as a resource and opportunity of lifelong learning. Clearly, humbleness and the ability of self questioning are required; after all, though, these are among the set of values that sport should develop in the athlete. There are many horses and riders who would greatly benefit from being trained as a “common project” by more than just one professional.
Results should be reached through sharing and discussing experiences. Accepting help and advice coming from the outside can bring new perspectives and either give confirmation of methods already in our use or suggest valid or better alternatives. Also, some manners work in certain situations for determined individuals. There is not just one single right way, therefore we should embrace open-mindedness.
ATTRACTING NEW BLOOD IN THE INDUSTRY
The long time that a change in views in equestrian sports sometimes requires might also be grounded in the fact that it has always been considered a quite elitist discipline, especially at high levels, and in the past linked to a very specific social status as well. Therefore the mindset tends to be somewhat conservative. This is not always the rule, of course.
It has been broadly acknowledged that if we want to keep the industry alive and flourishing, we need to increase its attractiveness to larger crowds of new people discovering equestrian sports. It is in the interest of us all to have new people approaching the sport and getting involved. It means new talents, new resources - and work.
The prerequisite to drawing new faces to the horse world is a welcoming environment that newcomers feel comfortable to access. We must keep in mind the reputation that precedes equestrian sports - that of being expensive - and create a serene and enjoyable atmosphere, built on collaboration and mutual support.
THIS IS A PROCESS TO WHICH ALL OF US CAN CONTRIBUTE - ATHLETES, STABLES, TRAINERS, EVENT VENUES, BRANDS. IT IS A WAVE ALREADY ON THE MOVE, WE NEED TO KEEP IT GOING.
AN ISSUE THAT DOES NOT CONCERN ONLY STABLES AND ATHLETES, BUT OTHER BUSINESSES TOO.
The sports business is not the only area where resistance in transitioning to a new way of more supple, flexible and free collaborative working is met. The issue regards brand activity overall.
“ESPECIALLY RELATIONSHIPS WITH SUPPLIERS CAN GET UNEASY IF THEY DO NOT SHARE THESE SAME IDEAS OF COOPERATION. SOMETIMES PEOPLE TEND TO CONSIDER PROFESSIONAL RELATIONS AS EXCLUSIVE AND BINDING. EXACTLY AS IN THE STABLE-CLIENT DYNAMICS. IT IS NOT UNCOMMON THAT THAT ONE SUPPLIER DISLIKES IT IF A BRAND WORKS WITH ANOTHER ONE OFFERING SIMILAR SERVICE IN THE SECTOR. THEY DO NOT ALWAYS SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE CHOICE TO WORK WITH MORE THAN ONE REALITY IS SOLELY DUE TO THE FACT THAT ALL OF THEM GIVE THEIR OWN UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION. THE WORK OF ONE WILL NOT DISMAY OR LESSEN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK OF ANOTHER; NO ONE IS BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF AND NO ONE SHOULD TAKE IT PERSONAL. THIS IS HARD TO EXPLAIN ESPECIALLY TO BUSINESSES WITH A LONG HISTORY BEHIND."
THE TRANSITION IS ALREADY HAPPENING
Luckily, in recent years we have been seeing a change for the better - with more and more people understanding the importance of networking and sharing their competence. The importance of working as a team has been highlighted. A possible reason for this may be the gust of fresh air brought by the new generations entering the industry.
“WE ARE COMMITTED TO BRINGING IN FRESH IDEAS, ENTHUSIASM AND GOOD VIBES. WE WANT TO INTRODUCE NEW PERSPECTIVES, KEEP WHAT IS GOOD AND UPDATE WHAT NEEDS IT."