When envisioning a horse show, one might picture sprawling arenas, meticulously groomed horses, and bustling crowds. What often goes unnoticed is the intricate web of technology operating behind the scenes, ensuring seamless event management.

It’s easy to assume that show venues without dedicated Wi-Fi pose major challenges for organizers relying on cloud-based solutions. But think again! Horse Spot is out there proving that with the right tools, horse shows of all shapes and sizes can take full advantage of cloud-based technology—virtually anywhere.

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My Own Experiences with Mobile Connectivity:

One of the things I hear all the time is, "Well, we don’t have Wi-Fi at our facility, so I don’t think Horse Spot will work for us." I get it—when people hear "cloud-based," they immediately assume it means "needs perfect internet." But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

I’ve personally used Horse Spot to run shows in the middle of nowhere—literally. 

During the summers, I manage an entire series of shows and events at Oaklawn Farm in Illinois, a beautiful venue that doesn’t have a lick of dedicated Wi-Fi. And you know what? We don't miss a beat simply using the mobile hot-spot on my phone and my trusty Verizon Jetpack. It’s fast, reliable, and more than capable of powering Horse Spot for everything we needed—from entries to real-time results. And I’m proud to report there are LOTS of organizers out there that are now doing the same thing for their shows too. 

I've even responded to support questions and worked on shows mid-flight using airplane Wi-Fi (which, let's be honest, is notoriously bad). And yet, Horse Spot still came through. That’s the beauty of a system built from the ground up to thrive in low-connectivity environments. It doesn’t just survive in spotty internet—it excels.

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Expanding Horizons:

This kind of flexible connectivity isn’t just for smaller or grassroots shows, either. A little-known fact: at The Ridge in Wellington Groves, Horse Spot manages everything at Show Ring 2 using a mobile hotspot.

Yes, you read that right. Even at a USEF-rated event in a premier show location like Wellington, show organizers are choosing mobile hotspot options instead of relying on slow or overloaded facility Wi-Fi. And guess what? Everyone is loving it.

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Connectivity Options for Running Horse Shows:

To ensure uninterrupted access to Horse Spot during your events, here are a few solid connectivity options to consider:

1. Good Ol’ Fashioned WiFi

• Overview: If your venue already offers Wi-Fi, this can absolutely be used to power your Horse Spot setup. This might include a facility’s public network, a password-protected private network, or an office router.
• Best For: Permanent showgrounds or facilities with consistent internet service already in place. Great for year-round venues that don’t want to rely on mobile or satellite options.
• Things to Consider: Not all facility Wi-Fi is created equal—some networks get bogged down quickly under heavy use, or may not reach all areas of your showgrounds. Be sure to test the signal strength in key areas like the show office, announcer’s booth, and in-gate before your event starts. If it’s weak, a mobile solution might still be your best bet.
  
  

2. Mobile Hotspot on Smartphones

• Overview: Most modern smartphones can function as mobile hotspots, sharing their cellular data connections to provide internet access to other devices. Go to your Device Settings to manage these functions.
• Best For: Smaller, one- to two-day shows. Perfect if you're running the office or a ring off a laptop and just need a solid connection to keep Horse Spot humming.
• Things to Consider: This option can use a good chunk of data if you're running multi-day events, often throughout the year. It’s great for short-term use, but you may want to explore other options for a full season.
  
  

3. Dedicated Mobile Hotspot Devices (e.g., Jetpacks)

• Overview: Devices like the options from Verizon or T-Mobile provide a portable, battery-powered internet source. They usually have stronger antennas and better battery life than phones.
• Best For: Multi-day or multi-week shows, or if you need to connect multiple devices (think: show office, gate staff, announcer, etc.).
• Things to Consider: These are relatively affordable, and you can usually add them as a line to your existing phone plan. Just make sure you check the coverage for your venue’s area.
  
  

4. Starlink Satellite Internet

• Overview: Starlink is a game-changer for ultra-remote venues. It provides high-speed satellite internet almost anywhere you can get a clear view of the sky.
• Best For: Larger shows in rural areas or facilities without reliable cell coverage. Also great if you're trying to cover a broader area like show rings, the show office and even stabling, all at once.
• Things to Consider: You can rent Starlink kits from providers like Borrow Starlink for surprisingly affordable rates. It takes a little setup, but it’s very plug-and-play friendly, even for non-techies.

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The reality is this: Horse Spot works wherever you do. Whether you’re on a farm in the boonies with no Wi-Fi or at a premier event in Florida, we’ve built this platform to meet you where you are.

Cloud-based doesn’t have to mean complicated. With the right setup, you can bring the full power of Horse Spot with you—wherever your show takes you.

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