Sponsorship/Investment Opportunities

Since I started riding at the age of seven, I have dreamed of riding in the Olympics. This goal has become my career. I currently have two horses of my own and train several others. The upkeep and training of competition horses requires a lot of time and money (about $10,000-$15,000/per year per horse). My determination to succeed is great and so giving my time is no problem, but affording good trainers and safe equipment for my horses and me is a continuous struggle. Fortunately, what is a challenge for me provides sponsorship opportunities for others.

Sponsorship has become a vital part of equestrian sports. The main reasons sponsors choose 3-Day Eventing are that the sport provides great advertising opportunities, exciting entertainment venues, and charitable or investment tax deductions. These many aspects of the sport have attracted many sponsors ranging from horse feed companies to local stores to national companies such as Ford, Jaguar, and M&M Mars.

Please feel free to call me at any time to discuss my riding goals, the sport of eventing, sponsoring me or sponsoring a horse. I would be happy to answer any questions or provide further information. I can be reached at (301) 606-5436 or by email at cj2bnd@yahoo.com.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Charitable Tax Deductions to the American Horse Trials Foundation;
Donation of horse care products, tack (blankets, saddles, bridles, saddle pads, etc.), rider apparel;
Purchase or donate horses;
Pay for training for competition or resale (consult your tax advisor for investment tax advantages); or
Provide significant support by attending or volunteering at shows.

Advertising:

Lawyers and doctors participate as well as students, teachers, businessmen and women. Not only does the sport provide access to a variety of potential clients, but its geographic ranges are extensive. I compete in many states from Massachusetts to Florida, from Kentucky to the East Coast. To increase this geographic exposure, many sponsors provide sample products or itemized product logos that spread their name. Similar to Nascar, this is a sport where names and logos of sponsors are proudly worn and accredited.

Entertainment:

In England, it is not unusual to find tens of thousands of spectators anxiously awaiting the next horse to appear on the cross-country course. With interest in the sport growing exponentially in the U.S., people have obviously discovered the excitement and fun in this sport. In fact, non-horse people own many of the top-level horses in Three-Day Eventing. One of the things that draw them to the shows is the opportunity for owners, patrons and sponsors to entertain clients, business partners and family. Many of the larger shows have special perks for owners and patrons such as special viewing areas and catered events. The shows are always an exciting social event for the sponsors themselves, for making new friends and new business contacts, or just enjoying watching their horse or sponsored rider doing well.

Charitable tax deductions:

The American Horse Trials Foundation provides grants for competition expenses such as entry fees, travel, stabling and coaching. However, the grants will only match the extent of member's fundraising on behalf of AHTF. Donations to AHTF are tax deductible, and are placed in a general account from which I can request reimbursement for authorized expenses such as those listed above.