Creating a digital home for an equestrian association is more than just building a website. It’s about capturing the essence of the community – the tradition, the passion, the events, and the people behind it. That was our goal when we set out to develop rvfu.ch, the official site for Reitverein Frauenfeld und Umgebung (RVFU).
Understanding the Spirit of RVFU
RVFU is more than a local equestrian club. It represents a community rooted in tradition, sport, and a deep connection between horse and rider. Before writing a single line of code, we spent time understanding:
- The club’s history and mission
- The needs of members, riders, and event organizers
- The importance of clear communication for upcoming tournaments and training
This foundational understanding shaped every design and technical decision going forward.
Goals for the Website
From the outset, we defined clear goals:
- Modern, Responsive Design: The site should work seamlessly on desktop and mobile.
- Simple Content Management: Club administrators needed an easy way to update news, results, and events.
- Event-Focused Navigation: Equestrian events are the club’s heartbeat – visibility and ease of access were key.
- Integration of Forms and Downloads: Registration forms, PDF downloads, and contact options needed to be straightforward.
- Performance and Privacy: Fast loading times, GDPR compliance, and a secure hosting environment.
Technology Stack
We chose a lightweight and maintainable stack that balanced performance with usability:
- Static Site Generator: A Hugo-based setup allowed fast rendering and easy deployment.
- Markdown Content: Editors can write articles and updates without touching code.
- Tailwind CSS: Clean, responsive styling with minimal bloat.
- Netlify Deployment: Continuous deployment from a private Git repository for quick updates and zero-downtime publishing.
The CMS integration (via Netlify CMS) ensures even non-technical users can manage content with confidence.
Design Highlights
The visual design blends modern clarity with equestrian charm:
- A clean, white-and-green color palette echoing nature and traditional riding aesthetics.
- Prominent event banners on the homepage.
- Easy access to photo galleries and event results.
- Dedicated sections for youth activities, training opportunities, and contact details.
Accessibility and usability were priorities – we tested the layout with users of all ages, from young riders to senior members.
Launch and Feedback
We launched rvfu.ch in early 2025 and were thrilled by the positive reception:
“Finally, a website that reflects who we are – and lets us share our passion with the world.”
— RVFU Committee Member
Members now have a reliable hub for information, and external visitors can easily find events or reach out to the club.
What’s Next?
The website lays the groundwork for future extensions:
- Photo/video galleries for past events
- Newsletter integration
- Digital registration and payments
- Live results and event updates
We’re proud of how rvfu.ch turned out – not just as a project, but as a contribution to a thriving local community.
Have questions about how to build a website for your sports club or local association? Feel free to reach out – we’re happy to share insights, templates, or just talk horses and code.
