Company Sponsorship of Riders

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KostaKlover

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Hi everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone could fill me in a bit on how companies sponsor professional riders. Do most sponsors just offer discounts on their products or free stuff in exchange for advertising on numnahs/coolers etc? Or do they actually sponsor with money for entries etc?

Does anyone out there have any sponsors that they have an agreement with?

Any feedback is appriciated thanks!! :D
 
I think it varies from person to person, some companies own the horses and have their name used in the horse's name, others pay the fees and have their logos on saddle cloths, jackets, horseboxes etc.
 
I'm far from a pro but my "sponsors" mainly give me free stuff - ie. their items. One of the companies (my main one) has paid for the odd BE event in the past and are very good that if I ask them, they tend to cover it but I just don't like asking for very much! Otherwise in return for quite regular freebies etc. I advertise them on my jacket at events and on the trailer etc. I've also done the odd leaflet drop round the lorry park.

Pro's would likely get free items (like saddles etc.) I would expect and some would cover events or contribute to buying new horses / equipment etc. Really depends on their particular contract. I've always wondered what those pro's get who are sponsored by companies like Rolex, they must have a lot of watches...!
 
Most top pros have a set amount you sponsor them by, and in return you do X for them. So it might be a 6K package, and for that you (for example - I am making this up!!) do 3 meet and greets at Badminton/Burghley/Blenheim on the sponsor's stand for an hour a time, offer 2 competition prizes (a coursewalk with or a lesson with for example), and feature in advertising/give testimonials/mention the product in the press etc etc. When you're team/Olympic material, whilst you do get product, you can also command cold hard cash!
 
Its so hard to know where to start and who to approach, but I suppose the worst they can do is say no and you cant get it unless you ask!! Im obviously not olympic material quite yet but maybe one day i'l get there!! ;) But you have to start somewhere right? Thanks guys! ------And cold hard cash and Rolex's would be lovely one day haha! ;)
 
Sorry to hijack but I'm interested in this topic. At what point do people think they are worthy of sponsorship? Competing at a certain level/ only when have good results/ number of horses/ planning to take on more rides etc?
 
JVB said:
At what point do people think they are worthy of sponsorship?
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Thats exactly it! When do you look for sponsorship? For me personally I have one or two companies in mind that I was considering approaching as they are local and family acquaintences. I have lots of competition experience but not very recently and not amazing (but not crap) results either, but back then it was a hobby anyway. Now I have one particular horse that will definatly be competing nationally this year and another that may or may not depending on whether she matures enough in time for this season. I was thinking of getting the first one sponsored...so the horse rather than myself....because I know he will do well this year and am hoping that the company might like the idea as we live right beside each other. Also they are a new Irish business that is doing very well and he is a full bred Connemara Pony so would be supporting their own. Just an idea! - (Oh and the other thing I meant to say was that if I waited until I thought I was worthy of sponsorship id be waiting forever, so even though I know im not an amazing professional rider, I might get somewere if I ask for a little help :)
 
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I guess this is the question, I'm probably in similar position to you but competing will be local area (BS) and I don't know, I just don't feel worthy I suppose. I've also got a youngster who I'm planning to event but it will be very lightly this year as he's not mature physically yet.

I suppose it's a case of looking at what you can offer aside from results, so there isn't too much pressure to win.

Thinking on that it's prob worth contacting companies to see what would actually help them in terms of advertising/ spreading the word and then looking at what the rider needs in return.

For me, getting a load of products wouldn't be that useful, it's cash for entries and fuel that's I'd need so in that respect I don't know if many companies would be interested, particularly in the current economic climate, depends on how well they are doing.

Looks like research, research and more research is required!
 
It depends...often Olympic riders or top riders are searched out as are trainers and other times the rider must go out and search

If you are not as far up the ranks but know you will be...find a few local sponsers...and when you get larger....always remember them as they believed in you first
 
JVB said:
I guess this is the question, I'm probably in similar position to you but competing will be local area (BS) and I don't know, I just don't feel worthy I suppose. I've also got a youngster who I'm planning to event but it will be very lightly this year as he's not mature physically yet.

I suppose it's a case of looking at what you can offer aside from results, so there isn't too much pressure to win.

Thinking on that it's prob worth contacting companies to see what would actually help them in terms of advertising/ spreading the word and then looking at what the rider needs in return.

For me, getting a load of products wouldn't be that useful, it's cash for entries and fuel that's I'd need so in that respect I don't know if many companies would be interested, particularly in the current economic climate, depends on how well they are doing.

Looks like research, research and more research is required!
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You hit it on the head...sponsers want someone who will be a walking billboard...the farther you travel/more shows you compete in/countries you go to alladd up for the sponser...you need to make the whole package desirable....often riders can be worth $100 000 in advertising and more if they compete outside their own country....CW sponser one of my horses as they do others...they have made alot of business connections this way too.

And in this day/climate/economics....alot of companies are finding this the way to go...hockey/motor sport/soccer/basket ball are all going to sponserships to save money

I think for some it is a bravery/confidence thing...am I good enough and can I actually talk to a company and sell me....most people are not comfortable selling themself as they think they are bragging or being elitist...this misconception about having confidence over concete of ability often is a stumbling block for some...they see it as arrogance instead of showing their ability/skill as a fact of their riding and training over bragging
 
JVB said:
For me, getting a load of products wouldn't be that useful, it's cash for entries and fuel that's I'd need
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Yea the companies I was considering asking are not Equine related so it would have to be entries/training money etc in exchange for advertising on numnahs, jackets, coolers etc. But if it was a case of a horsey company id never say no to freebies haha!
 
Not horsey but my partner's company sponsors a couple of pro fighters. The ones who are just making their name get all fight clothing and some clothes fo training, if it's a big event they get an appearance fee plus a win bonus (but only if they win, obvs). I suspect they're better than most in that they'll try to support the new guys while they get themselves out there, in some cases even finding and booking fights for their guys and DEFEINITELY drinking them under the table at *insert random excuse for a celebration here* dos. :D

for more established fighters, it's generally just an advertising fee - the fighter offers a certain space on his website, or clothing, or offers to mention the company in return for a fixed fee. This is generally worked out through the agent and in cases where a fighter has approached them, they've had lots of facts and figures about who's sponsored them before and what benefit it got them (tax stuff included but also, how often the guy is expected to fight in the near future, audience numbers from recent fights, how often they've won, what sort of publicity they've had, etc etc etc)
 
There are tax breaks available and any vat on entrys can be claimed back
Word of warning...check out rules on advertising on your lorry/trailer,if you sign write you are seen as a business in the eyes of the law so required to run taco and all sorts. Speak to vosa before you do anything.
Sorry not wanting to dampen enthusiasm but a friend recently got fined!
 
cosmicblue said:
There are tax breaks available and any vat on entrys can be claimed back
Word of warning...check out rules on advertising on your lorry/trailer,if you sign write you are seen as a business in the eyes of the law so required to run taco and all sorts. Speak to vosa before you do anything.
Sorry not wanting to dampen enthusiasm but a friend recently got fined!
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Yes good point only a 3.5 ton would be exempt from opperators licence and tachograph,
The thing with sponsorship you have show a company what you can offer them, basicly its just another form of advertising a way of getting there company name known so a succefull rider in the results will be noticed and the associated company/s hopefully in the limelight , so the more you can bring to the table so to speak the more you can ask for and the more people will want there company name on the riders back..
 
KostaKlover said:
Yea the companies I was considering asking are not Equine related so it would have to be entries/training money etc in exchange for advertising on numnahs, jackets, coolers etc. But if it was a case of a horsey company id never say no to freebies haha!
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So if they are non equine companies what will they gain by paying for your lessons & entries in return for an unknown rider wearing their logo on the jacket etc? Who will pay for the jacket/rug/saddle cloth & embroidery? If it is a horsey company, what will they gain by giving you "freebies"? Which aren't actually free as the company has had to pay for them?

I sponsor in a small way a gp level pro rider & a lower level pro rider, I provide for the gp pro a jacket, 2 x numnahs per year & a nice rug which has had to last, his studs for the season, a free ad on my website & discount on anything he buys. In return I can use his image on any advertising, including website & the horses wear the stuff, plus he or his wife wear the jacket. He recommends me to owners/clients, & I do the same, I get discounted training also.

Lower level pro I give jacket, saddle cloths he buys & I pay for embroidery, he gets discount on any purchases, free ad on website & I recommend him to people. In return he & his partner wear the saddle cloths on the horses & he wears the jacket, I get a discount on any training & he recommends me to people, I can use any photos on advertising or website.

So you really need to be honest with yourself, what can you bring to the companies you approach? For me I get coverage, pics in H&H with the saddle cloths on, horses at big shows in the collecting ring with rug on, plus orders referred from their clients.
 
perfect11s said:
Yes good point only a 3.5 ton would be exempt from opperators licence and tachograph,
The thing with sponsorship you have show a company what you can offer them, basicly its just another form of advertising a way of getting there company name known so a succefull rider in the results will be noticed and the associated company/s hopefully in the limelight , so the more you can bring to the table so to speak the more you can ask for and the more people will want there company name on the riders back..
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Check this out even if you have 3.5t or trailer VOSA are being a bit naughty and changing the rules without really publicising things. I know they are bringing in new rules about hours worked relating to when you can drive your lorry etc.
just what we need, more red tape.
 
cosmicblue said:
Check this out even if you have 3.5t or trailer VOSA are being a bit naughty and changing the rules without really publicising things. I know they are bringing in new rules about hours worked relating to when you can drive your lorry etc.
just what we need, more red tape.
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Sorry but VOSA do not make rules they are an inforcment agency like the police, The EU and westminster make the rules!!! You do not need a tachograph or o licence at 3.5 or less....
 
Fair enough perfect11s but this is not what our local vosa office have told us :(
Not trying to dictate to anybody just making them aware to double check.
 
cosmicblue said:
Fair enough perfect11s but this is not what our local vosa office have told us :(
Not trying to dictate to anybody just making them aware to double check.
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If you are useing a trailer and the combined weight vehicle plus trailer is more than 3500 kg and is used for business you may need a tachograph ,but not a little 3.5 ton lorry I would re check, dept for transport website is good , hope this helps, thanks...
 
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