Sponsorship - Getting some! Your thoughts....

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dressagespain

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I have been thinking that as I compete a lot at a reasonable level out here that could of great service as an advert for a company. My boss at current job wanted to sponsor me but things are not going to plan and I'm actually thinking of leaving company (a whole other story!).

My question to you good people is -

a) Have you got a sponsor? If so, how did you get it? What approach did you use?
b) If you don't have a sponsor and you own a company or are in a position in a company to say yes or no to someone asking for sponsorship, what would you be wanting from the rider? What would impress you?

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated and then I will have a look who I could approach.

THANKS
 
All depends what you can offer the sponsor.

Any sponsor wanting to see a return in investment will want to ensure that you give them a positive profile and that their company logo etc are prominently displayed on your lorry, horse etc at all the top national equstrian events.
 
there was a big article in H&H about sponsorship and how to go about it, either the week just gone or the week before. it was very interesting. (sorry im not much more help than that!!)
 
But P_G, we can't get H&H out here.
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Owlie, I can offer them my prescence at National A level (like premier league) comps throughout the year. I have 2 super animals and can out their logo onto whatever they want. We have a trailer (lorries not at all common).
 
My friend used to be sponsored when she did Young Riders (SJing), all she did was write a letter to about 20 companies. One sponsored her and gave her £3,000 per year plus a complete set of new tack and clothes! They sponsored her for 3-4 years until she gave up SJing and sold her horse. Shes now doing BD and the college have sponsored her.

She only had one horse when she was sponsored but competed most weekends and went to the big shows (although not the huge ones like HOYS and Olympia).
 
i'm having probs with my browser so can't paste the link... but if you go to the H&H home page and type 'sponsor' into the search box an article comes up called 'how to get and keep a sponsor'
 
Each time you go out and compete and win you need to circulate the information to the local/national papers/radio stations/tv stations. Keep copies of the articles of when you appear in the newspapers and also dates/ recordings of when you appear on the radio tv so as to build up a portfollio. Make sure that you get copies of the photos of when you are presented with the rossettes and trophies at the events. Anything newsworthy send to the local media. Always make sure that your name appears in the media on a regular weekly basis.

Then once you have managed to achieve this go for sponsorship from a nationwide organisation.
 
I don't know how possible it is for you but I would really suggest getting in touch with someone in personal promotions. You probably don't need an agent per se but there are many people who specialise in promoting athletes and if you're serious it would be a worthwhile conversation to have because they could offer you good advice and possibly steer you in likely directions you haven't even thought of.

Someone I know has just recently started working with such a person and her profile has really taken off.
 
My friend and I have two sponsors - we are only unaffliated and dont do anything too special but getting the sponsors name in the local press is always a good selling point!!

The first is the company who I work for who are a leading laundry provider in the UK. They also clean and reproof all types of horse rugs which comes in very handy! (they do the queens horses and have the royal crest too)

They provide rugs, saddlecloths, jackets etc all embroidered with names etc and THEIR LOGO (photos to follow next month) and they also pay entry fees and reasonable travel costs which helps loads.

The other sponsor is www.pony4u.co.uk due to launch in the next week or so, that is mainly as a favour for a mate for marketing purposes but we should get some feed out of it at the very worst.

Its not millions but just having nice new stuff and getting it all cleaned for free is a huge help when you work full time and have a kiddy!

Sponsors want their name out there in the press, they like to be associated with success and they like a good corporate day out, thats where the problem with horse sponsorship lies, good corporate days out for owners are naff in the UK and would end up costing you more than your sponsor was paying you.

Personally for the higher level rider like yourself I would contact all the horsey equipment suppliers personally in writing and follow it up with a phone call, its a long shot but give it a go, failing that local businesses in your area with a vested interest in any business that horsey people may put their way!

Good Luck!
 
Right, if I were you I would call up Maurice Boland (REM FM) he is a mate of mine and my mothers - I reckon they would jump at the chance of sponsoring you, or failing that he would more than likely have you on to plead for support! You would be well positioned to be the face of a predominantly UK oriantated company (boo, hiss and spit if you like, but it is true!)

If you want some help contacting Maurice then let me know
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OOO weezy, good idea, I'll PM you and sort out details. I think that my OH knows him as well!!

Thanks so much everyone for your comments, really been helpful. I am gonna write a proposale and see how things go.

I'll keep you all posted !!!
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[ QUOTE ]
OK that sounds easy enough. So I assume it was a tack shop that sponsored her?? I was thinking of approaching all kinds of companies - banks, insurance, finance, tack, feed....

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No it was a completely non- horsey company! I think it was some sort of finance company. They bought her a new kit for part of the sponsorship. She got soooo much and all of the top stuff.............lucky moo!
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