Sponsoring a Rider - what would you expect from sponsor etc

[luckilotti]

Hello,
I am hoping you can be of some assistance.
I am thinking of sponsoring a young showjumper, a young dressage rider and eventer.
What types of things would this involve for my company? We are only a small company starting out but thought it could help to get our name out there plus will obviously be of benefit for the rider and will also increase their public profile a bit also.
Any suggestions for 'lower end/introductory sponsorship'?

 

[pippa p]

Personally as a young rider I would expect mainly products ( numnah with your logo etc ) and / or in a dream world support towards entries and training. In return for recommending/ advertising you at shows , writing a blog and generally helping to get the word out.

 

[Rosiefan]

It depends what sort of business you're in but as above and if appropriate, goods/services at cost. It's also a bonus for a rider just starting out to be able to say that they have sponsor(s) on their website as it makes them look more professional.

 

[Bestdogdash]

I sponsor a young Point to Point rider. I bought him two pairs of racing breeches with the name of my company on the legs and give him £500 per annum towards whatever he wants. What he tells me finds most valuable is being able to say he is sponsored and gives him confidence that someone believes in his abilities. It's a small thing for us, but a big thing for him. Well done OP, supporting our youngsters is important, and I get a lot of satisfaction from it.

 

[Calcyle]

I sponsor an eventer. I offer her my services for free, in exchange for advertising. She recommends me to her clients, and promotes my services through facebook/her blog. She has several sponsors, some of the others provide her with feed and equipment - some are well-known, so I was a bit nervous about contacting her. Sent her an email outlining my general proposal, she accepted, and now I can't wait for the new season to start.

 

[kassieg]

As a young rider having produced my own horse from a 2 year old to starting her 1st season eventing this year as a 5 year old just someone having that belief in our talent & determination would make a huge difference.
Saddlecloths, a jacket etc with sponsors name on depending on business sponsoring maybe a product so that the rider can promote that to other riders at the comps ?

What level of rider are you looking at sponsoring?

 

[Nightmare before Christmas]

I enjoy being sponsored and working closely with a company. I like them to give me plenty to promote, I wear a coat and saddle cloth. I want to know the business, figure ways to help increase sales etc.

 

[spidge]

Hi I run an event photography company and this year we have chosen to sponsor 10 riders- we provide a package of logoe-ed numnah, rug, gilet and £100 worth of free photos- not life changing for anyone but decent enough for 350 people to apply to us for the package. We chose 10 riders- 5 eventers and 5 showjumpers ranging from 12 through to well let's say more mature. Be clear what you want from the sponsorship and try to communicate those expectations both subtly and if necessarily explicitly to the sponsored rider. For what we are providing I do not think we can demand a great deal from the rider in terms of time and so the expectation is more to generate a level of engagement between the rider and sponsor/company to mutual benefit. A front cover, magazine spread, significant class win, all good stuff. Social media interaction and interesting, relevant content is what I am hoping to generate, quality rather than quantity. Obviously being seen to wear our gear is expected where appropriate at shows.

In all honesty it has been an interesting exercise, we are only 2 months into the year so still very early to decide. Would I repeat it next year in the same format or with the same selection process next year- categorically no, my other half would not allow it. Quantifying the benefits and returns of any advertising is difficult- we chose some riders we knew well, some not so well so there has been a learning curve there. For us it has been a chance to offer something back and I think the riders are genuinely appreciative and do feel part of something larger as alluded to by other posters in the thread. We have had a few odd encounters online and at shows from people not selected so it can have negative impact, albeit unintentionally. I still receive 2 to 3 applications a week asking for sponsorship :-/ A rider I met at a show last week who was not selected used it as a "kick up the arse" in her mum's word to go out and find herself a couple of sponsors. Good luck with it and choose wisely.