how much..!? help with sponsorship

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taimargilbert20

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Hi guys,

Wondered if I can get your help!!

I'm possibly getting a sponsorship offer from the company I work for. They've asked for a break down of the types of things they'd be paying for.

The things I've come up with so far are;

Equipment
Branding (t-shirts, numnahs etc)
Entry fees
Training

Can you think of any more and also what would you say over the year for each it would cost???

Thank in advance!!!
 
I compete at unaffiliated level at the moment doing ODE's, Showjumping and Dressage. Jumping up to 1 metre atm and Novice dressage. Looking to affiliate in either one of the above by the end of the year but company is happy for me to compete in all the unaffiliated until one discipline really stands out.
They make bespoke windows and doors so the not a typical equestrian sponsor but they know the type of people that go to events are the types of people they want to try and market

Thanks!!
 
Its unusual to see sponsorship at that sort of level - although you do see the odd one or two where there is a family connection. If they want to market to that environment then they'll presumably be more interested in Numnah's, Exercise sheets, fleeces, logo for the horse box / trailer etc. Perhaps in your also leafleting cars at the venue. (Don't do that affiliated!) They might actually be better off sponsoring classes rather than an individual as that gets their name out there more effectively and more widely than one individual competitor would do. In that case they might be expected to pay for rosettes and possibly a rug / sash for the winner. Publications like local rider are usually happy to feature photos etc for the winners which also helps.

Otherwise if they are looking at just sponsoring you and they are not a usual equine brand you might be better off looking only at anything you can personalise / stick a logo on. Even at professional level sponsors don't often pay for training or entry fees. Equipment tends to be that of the sponsor - so you ride in their make of saddle, bridle, bit etc. Feed their feed, mention them media interviews / blogs / tweets. Obviously you can't ride in or feed a replacement window! But why would they then pay you to effectively advertise someone else's product on you or your horse? The only way to get their name out is going to be personalized items. Watch out for rules though as sponsored items are sometimes not permitted even at unaffilliated shows.
 
Dont plaster them all over your transport as you will open up a very large can of worms! It is best avoided.

As has been said if you get half of what you have listed you will be doing better than most pros as they usually get product and its very unusual to get actual financial input. I think rather than frighten them off I would start modestly as it is not so easy to sponsor people nowadays due to tightening of the tax rules. It is something you will need to be conscious of as well as the money they put into you will be classed as income so will be taxable.
 
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I am a sponsor of 2 professionals, one at top level, one up & coming as well as a really competitive junior. You will be doing very well if you can get all of that at your current level! My top pro gets a good deal with product, in return he wears my branded stuff, sends me customers & I get a discout on training. Up & coming also helps me with training, & gets product at trade price off of the lesson costs, he also promotes my brand by wearing the gear & recommends to clients & owners. Junior & her mum are super fab with facebook, gaining new likes etc & get a small amount of product & some gear. I use all of their pics & news on my fb & website. TBH I can't see how you wearing a saddle cloth at an unafilliated event is going to make people buy windows? IME its an all round approach, brand promotion, social media & personal recommendation.

The others are right & I would think cash is unlikely, partly due to the tax implications.
 
Thank you all! I didn't know about the tax side of things! I'm only being offered financial support as it's the company I work for and it's a large but family run company, I realise at this level that's not normally offered. I think I'll start at equipment etc and see how I go from there x
 
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