Main-Events at the forefront of online entries and scoring

Todd Magner and Awatuna Jonesy – Series Winners of the 2017-2018 Main-Events University Challenge

Main-Events is your go to programme for online entries, but the software offers so much more than just entries, with exciting new developments in the pipeline.

Anne Vallance, of Main-Events, is the sponsor for the Main-Events University Series and, while showjumping is the primary focus, they have recently developed a scoring system for dressage and eventing too.

“That’s new this year and is something we will be working on promoting. We are doing the upcoming New Zealand Pony Club Association eventing championships.”

Main-Events is a family business and Anne’s son Charles, who is a Wellington-based professional web applications developer, developed the Main-Events online entry system.

There are two components to Main-Events, online entries and the desktop application – data is downloaded and merged with the desktop application.

Technology is moving at a rapid pace and, in keeping with that, Anne says they recently launched the capability to work in the clouds. This means it’s possible to have multiple users at any one time and easy to share data with committee members. The programme can be accessed from anywhere, at any time, meaning it is simple and easy to keep everyone in the loop.

“I think this is an important focus going into the future, with bigger and more professional shows being run. The committee needs to be more involved at all levels, and our system allows that.”

Another plus is that Main-Events contains strong reporting features. “There are hundreds of reports you can pull – name tags, score sheets, lists of sponsors, budget versus actuals – you name it.”

Not only does Main-Events provide the capability to do all the scoring needed at an event, including live scoring, it meets all the requirements for ESNZ and is able to validate registrations when competitors enter online.

“Our system is super flexible, you can operate in the cloud at all times, access it from anywhere and, even if the internet is not reliable, it is not an issue.”

The software is now attracting a lot of attention across the ditch, being used to run the Australian showjumping championships at Werribee, as well as large events like Equitana in Auckland.

The Vallance family also has a long-held personal interest and passion for jumping, having stood the well regarded stallion, Distelfink, at their Longspring Sport Horses stud. “Distelfink produced numerous progeny to jump at the top level in New Zealand. I didn’t ride, my husband Rupert was the rider.”

Anne also served as editor for the Bulletin magazine for five years and, in the 1980s, was responsible for moving the publication into desktop publishing. “In those days I did it all myself, I would get schedules hand-written on a bit of card and have to type them all up myself.”

Anne sees the University Series as a great fit for the family and their business. “I feel the connection with the university series because I think it’s important that, even if you love horses and intend to make horses your career, you have to have a backup plan.”