Sponsorship - advice needed

[viola]

Hi there!
I wonder if any of you has any experience with acquiring a sponsorship at the lower levels?
I have no competition record in this country to speak of (some show-jumping up to 1.20m abroad but I doubt anybody would be bothered to look into it) and no famous name to flash into VIPs faces. I am not a British rider so, at least to my knowledge, I am not eligible for any alternative options, not to mentioned I am too old to be considered a candidate.
I could be classed as a professional as I work freelance in the industry but I am just one of many.

All this considering I started chatting to various "office based" friends to get a feedback on the matter before I start asking people I don't know and make myself looking foolish

I am not looking for a massive amount of support - just a help in funding my first British Eventing season (more in my new entry on the blog as per link in my signature).

Is any of you sponsored? If so, how did you go about acquiring the sponsorship?
Any advice will be appreciated!

 

[LEC]

This is not meant to be harsh but is a reality. The 4* rider I do paperwork for is really struggling to get sponsorship and they have been placed abroad and at Burghley. They are long listed on the GB team but unless they make the team companies are not that interested. This rider has better results than many of the names in the sport yet because they do not push themselves enough in terms of networking and do not have strings of horses it is not playing in their favour.

Young Riders get support especially if they have a great record - as it is seen as good PR to be helping out potential and also cheaper!

Unfortunately riders such as you and I only manage to get sponsorship because of who we know or work for. Unless you are supremely gifted at PR I would say you have minimal chance.

 

[cpendle]

The bottom line with sponsorship is that you have to show the sponsor "what's in it for them".

You need to be able to make a clear case for how they/their business will benefit by sponsoring you. And you need to demonstrate why they should sponsor you rather than any other rider - so what's your point of difference?

You need to be very professional in your approach, develop a well crafted letter, include results, photographs, plans for the future etc.

Good luck!

 

[MagicMelon]

Yeah, TBH I dont think many amateurs / low level riders get much chance at all for sponsorship. You need to be near the top levels before anybody would even consider it generally. And no offence, but fact is that most local companies would prefer to sponsor a British rider I would think?

 

[TFS]

im currently helping a friend with sponsorship buts shes a young rider and has a competition record with results at SCOPE, 1.25 classes, Young riders etc things that are reasonable well known and publicised

 

[viola]

Than you very much for all the advice! When I have my tough reality hat on I do know it's almost impossible to get that sponsorship but I am also quite a dreamer...

lec - it's not harsh at all, I guess it's just reality. Thank you for your reply!

cp1 - thank you for the positive post

I will definitely at least try to ask for some support. The worse that can happen is I will be told 'no'.

Magic_Magpie - yes, you do have a valid point. I do think local companies would rather sponsor a British rider. I guess I will have more of a chance if I go to international/multi national companies then

TFS - yes, that's the problem; the only thing I can tell them now is that if I go very very badly nobody will remember anyway as I am no one known