Sponsorship for Junior rider

esselle

esselle

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Hi guys, just looking for a little advice really... :)

My partner is thinking of approaching a business connection, to ask about the possibility of them sponsoring my 13 year old daughter, who competes BS on her 148 pony. We have had her 2 months, she has double clears up to Fox level so far, qual Blue Chip, Scope, Trailblazers etc. Competing as you know is an expensive business, we have to travel at least an hour to our nearest BS venue, which is why a little sponsorship would be nice.

Just really don't know what to expect, if the business agrees, i.e. how much, merchandising, advertising their products etc? any advice would be really helpful. Thank you :)
 
Well good luck! I can only speak as I find and my daughter who events at Novice level is fortunate enough to receive sponsorship. Her sponsor actually happens to be my own company, its all done totally legitimately, above board and declared to HMRC in the proper manner. I really dont know much about the showjumping scene, but I would hazard a guess that any sponsor, giving even very little, would want something for their money. Times are hard for businesses, and I would suggest you put together a very good proposition. A business will definitely want some return for their money, plus a very decent level of advertising for themselves - much as I am sure you love seeing your child compete, ask yourself can they actually do that? Sometimes all a business can afford to give, or will wish to give are saddle cloths or rugs, nice as they are, they dont pay for the diesel to get to competitions, do they?

My daughter is very, very lucky. We do it as part of our advertising strategy and it works. However, the company is owned by myself and my business partner who is also very supportive of her competitive ambition and also enjoys going to watch her compete. Before your partner approaches this person, seriously ask yourself what the sponsor will get out of it.

Good luck.
 
TheoryX1 said:
Before your partner approaches this person, seriously ask yourself what the sponsor will get out of it.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

This is the first and most important point! When I was a junior (a long long time ago) I was out competing 2 or 3 times a week and was fortunate enough to be very successful. I sourced my own sponsorship (precocious 13yr old moi!) I had a commercial motor factor who provided parts for my lorry (my Dad would do the work) and a local skip hire company who let me fill up with diesel once every 2 weeks throughout the season. That way both companies got 'targeted' exposure to people who were likely to use their services.
And you would also do well to keep notifying local press of any wins/places, companies love to see their name in print.
 
Hiya, I posted a similar thread a few months ago . My 15 yr old was trying to find funding/sponsorship as we are also struggling. She wrote to around 50 local companies but had 4 replies all basically saying no due to the current financial climate. Her school eventually paid for her entry fee for POYS & got her some local press coverage for her blue chip qualifications. We contacted a regional equestrian mag who did an article on her & make sure our area rep knows when she has a good result so that it can go in the showjumper mag, but tbh we've about given up & are still having to restrict the amount of BS shows she does as we can't afford it. It seems that to get sponsorship you have to be already jumping & winning at a high level all over the country, which we are finding impossible to do with limited funds & 1 pony! Am increasingly finding that this isn't a sport to succeed in if you are not already well off!! I do wish you the very best of luck though xx
 
Thank you ever so much for your responses, I really appreciate it. Especially Tinap555. I think its made me realise that sponsorship is not really likely...maybe I need a reality check! lol :)
 
4 years ago we were fortunate enough to have sponsorship for my daughter, eventing. The company were looking for a local Junior and we were in the right place at the right time. She submitted a CV and portfolio and they picked her over several others. For 3 years we received help with entries, (they provided a sum of money), rugs, saddle cloths and colours and t shirts. In return they asked her to wear their T shirts, jackets etc. when at shows, and to ask commentators to mention them. Whenever she was mentioned in the local press she always gave them a mention. We also had to be open to their employees turning up to support her, didn't happen that often, but where possible we got them free entry to events. Unfortunatly for finincial reasons they have now withdrawn their support.

When we were looking we wrote to over a hundred companies, as you say most didn't reply but a few did, and in fact she also received a free pair of Durbarry boots and a set of jumping boots for her horse.

As the others have siad you need to look for something that the sponsor will get in return for their support, and spend some time putting together your daughters portfolio.

Good luck.
 
I've had various sponsorship in different forms. I've had 2 companies provide me with free items - no money as such. They continue to send stuff out nown and again (both are equestrian clothing companies). I started with the same deal with a jump manufacturer, they provided items for free but they have also paid for the odd entry. For them, I wear their jacket. I have also just received sponsorship from a new company (totally non-horsey but they already sponsor a big name), who are paying for a big event coming up (about £350) - they just want my horse to wear their rug. Obviously you have to wear their stuff and also try to get their name mentioned - so I'll put it in my commentary info for eventing so occassionally they'll get a mention over the tannoy. You have to watch though, you're not meant to have sponsors names on your saddlecloth / anything worn in the ring as they have to be registered as sponsors to do that I believe.

Its worth writing to loads of companies as some wont offer sponsorship but will send you a freebie, I got a few tubs of supplements etc. for free which is always a bonus.
 
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im lucky enough to be sponsored by my partners company (equine photographer) and I get my entry fees paid, overnight stabling ect, and it kitted me out with new tack, rugs, saddle cloths boots ect. all items have been embroidered, the horse is announced with the company name when competing, and its all done above board in the correct procedures which the accounts keep a eye on for us.
i was once told for every letter in a hundred you send out you may only get 1 reply, which is usually a rejection.
in this current climate sponsorship is hard to come by, but you can find it. i would suggest getting a excellent portfolio together as already said above.
good luck and I hope you can secure something as the younger riders are our riders of the future!
 
I re-read this thread, as I said above, my daughter is one of the lucky ones, but its who she is really. However, I do agree that its the younger ones who are the future, and should be encouraged, which is so dam hard, particularly bearing in mind all the money it costs. Nevertheless, something I should mention which may be of help. We were approached fairly recently by another event rider - who rides at a slightly higher level than my daughter. A great proposal was put together, well presented and it made sense. However, this individual asked for certain amounts of money - particularly entry to FEI 3 days events, costing £500 or more, plus diesel costs, which were listed as 'Unlimited' on the proposal, which they wishes us as a sponsor to pony up.

This particular rider is impressive and up and coming, and I duly passed said proposal to business partner for discussion. When he saw the figures, he went a funny shade of grey and passed it back to me. As we dont do anything unless we agree, particularly on financial issues, it didnt go anywhere, and we just agreed to carry on sponsoring my daughter as she was obviously 'Family'. Huge shame, as this person did deserve help, but in asking for large sums of cash, they effectively ended their chances of sponsorship, well with us.

My advice therefore, is please be realistic - us business owners work very, very, very hard and we cant afford to just give it away. I do wish you luck though and hope something comes up.
 
TheoryX1- what would you want to see in a sponsorship application? What format is best? A covering letter or some 'pack' with pictures and stuff, set out with seperate pages showing your info, your horse info, aims and goals and what you can offer the company?
 
Its hard knowing what to put & what you can offer! My daughter introduced herself & gave a brief rundown of what she had acheived so far & what nationals she had qualified & competed
 
Stupid fone! As I was saying, what nationals she had qualified & competed at, what her goals were, how much training she has etc & also about the press coverage she's had & how she could advertise companies (jackets numnahs, on side of trailer etc.) She included a few photos too. Still no luck though
 
Lolo - dont want to see lots of 'Me, me, me, me ....' Awful thing to say, but people dont realise that for a sponsor to part with their hard earned cash, it has to be a two way thing. I have seen a few proposals, because anyone who knows my daughter, knows she goes out plastered from head to foot in our corporate stuff, which is very distinctive, and if you event in our area, you may have seen it. Dont beg for money, dont say 'Potential' a lot. Basically, write it like you are writing a business plan to a bank, give actual results, nice pictures etc........ Oh, and what you can give back to the business and dont quote actual sums of cash that you want, it makes people nervous.

However, I am not an expert in any way, shape or form. Another way to get it is for me to adopt you! LOL! One Mini TX is quite enough thank you.
 
tinap555,

The other things my daughter put was what she did to help towards costs, i.e. we are on a livery yard and she mucks out, plaits etc to raise money. She also has a part time job. She was invited to go to France and raised the money herself by doing a sponsored swim. Her sponsors told us that her committment was one of the things that stuck out for them. She was willing to put in the effort and they felt she deserved their help.
 
I have acquired sponsorship through a recruitment company through someone I teach, they have ordered me shirts, an animo jacket, equiport rugs and saddle cloths , and are covering entry fees and lessons. It's all above board and I am signed into a legal contract. They have also bought a horse to be competed by my trainer, they know how hard I work to get where I an, and do offered their support in return for advertising, I am also supported by Dengie who supply feed to me.
 
Susie - thanks for that, good advice. Only trouble is finding enough hours in the day! After her own yard jobs & riding & school work & gcse revision she would have to work nights!! She's just had to give up her county hockey place to fit stuff in :(
 
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