About ESG

Equine Sport Group is a multi-disciplinary equine consulting group with core expertise in horse welfare, stable management and care, veterinary support, training programs from grassroots to advanced and sport governance.

 

•      ESG selected to provide strategic and consulting services to the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau.

•      Eric L. Straus appointed as the Technical Coordinator for the 2018 World Equestrian Games.

•     ESG provided management services as Secretary General to the Pan American Equestrian Confederation.

•     ESG conducted site inspections for the 2018 ODESUR Games in Cochabama, Bolivia.

•     ESG provided pre-event and onsite management services for the 2016 North American Junior Young Rider Championship.

•     ESG provided equestrian marketing consultancy services to the Federación Boliviana de Deportes Ecuestres.

•     ESG formed a strategic partnership with Sai Ma Sports, leading to a multi-year Cooperation and Marketing Agreement with the Chinese Equestrian Association. ESG and Sai Ma provided competition management services to the Chinese Equestrian Association for the China Tour, a series of international show jumping competitions.

•     Attended the Fourth Annual Equestrian Forum of Western China as a guest of the Chengdu Equestrian Association.

•     Secured the largest private stable in Beijing as a client. Arranged for client's Head Trainer to receive two months of training and competition experience during the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida under the supervision of the USA Show Jumping Chef d' Equipe. Concurrently, the Head Trainer worked with selected US Olympians.

•     Provided governance and strategic planning assistance to the Foundation for The Florida Horse Park.

TIEC is a multi-discipline equestrian facility, site of the 2018 World Equestrian Games. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer I managed all aspects of equestrian competition, facility usage, sourced new events and managed external relationships.

 

• Initiated and oversaw a review of staffing and operational modifications leading to improved bottom line equestrian sector results. Improvements included: systemized event operations, expanded the competition calendar, updated event staffing, enhanced venue usage, successfully managed internal and external relationships. Acquired an existing international equestrian event.

HITS, Inc. is a special events management company primarily focused on producing hunter/jumper horse shows at five venues throughout the United States. Reporting directly to the President, focused on soliciting high level  international equestrian events and improving the customer experience.

 

•    Managed the 2015 Furusiyya Fédération Equestre Internationale Nations Cup from the bid through completion producing record attendance, global media exposure and numerous competitor accolades.

•    Lead effort to improve the equestrian customer experience and improve on-site competition management by introducing best in class cloud based information system.

•    Expanded and improved external relationships with primary national and international organizations.

•    Managed government relations in Ocala, Florida.  

The Washington International Horse Show is a fifty-five year old championship equestrian competition and entertainment event held at Verizon Center in downtown DC. The horse show is a 501 (c)(3) with an annual budget of $3,000,000 that attracts national and international elite competitors who compete for more than $400,000 in prize money.

 

Reporting directly to the President, responsible for all daily operations, sponsorship development, marketing, venue relations, interaction with DC government agencies and equestrian sport oversight.

• Developed an innovative marketing and sponsorship plan that attracted eight new corporate sponsors and increased total sponsorship revenue by 20%.

• Successfully negotiated a multiple year lease at a lower base rent at Verizon Center.

• Increased event attendance on key nights and grew ticket revenue by 5%.

• Led team that narrowed 2008-year end loss of $308,000 by 85% to $46,000 in 2010.

A privately owned for-profit company managing $1.6B in assets providing financial, insurance and management support for the principal and Clark related entities in Cooperstown, New York including: The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Fenimore Art Museum, The Farmers' Museum, The Clark Foundation, Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home, Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, The Otesaga Hotel, The Cooper Inn, Leatherstocking Corporation, The Clark Sports Center and The Clark Scholarship Office.

 

Reporting directly to the Chairman, responsible for daily operations and for 30 staff members in New York City. On behalf of The Clark Estates, Inc. I concurrently assumed and performed these added responsibilities:

• Member of three-person senior management team responsible for all strategic and operational decisions.

• Significantly improved operational efficiencies by leveraging new technologies and improving hiring practices and performance review standards.

• Successfully managed lease negotiation, build out and office relocation from Wall Street to Midtown.

• Strengthened security processes and developed first disaster and recovery plan. Directed and managed evacuation on September 11, 2001.

• Developed strategy and responsible for oversight of government relations in Washington, D.C. and Albany, New York securing $25 million in grants.

• Represented The Clark Foundation by board participation, grantee site visit analysis and supervision of Foundation staff and consultants.