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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 679
  
Location: KS | I want to start riding in the URA this year.I was wondering how you get Sponsors. What are the steps I have to take??
Edited by ACowgirlsLastRun 2015-07-08 11:25 AM
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  That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| Win the NFR. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 928
Location: Northern CA | Not familiar with URA, but a word of caution. Obtaining sponsorships will void your amateur/non-pro status in a lot of associations. I don't know how it works in the rodeo world, but I know that as a non-pro with NRCHA I cannot have sponsors. I can do endorsements as long as no money, goods, or services are recieved for doing so. |
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 Goat Giver
Posts: 23166
 
| Spell the word correctly when writing asking for Sponsors....... |
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 BHW's Lance Armstrong 
Posts: 11134
Location: Somewhere between S@%&# stirrer and Saint | Is it a sponsorship for a spelling "B"? 
Edited by Douglas J Gordon 2014-08-04 5:52 PM
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 Fact Checker
Posts: 16572
Location: Displaced Iowegian | From a business stand point….…you must FIRST be a current customer of my business. Secondly, you are going to have to prove to me that you are a winner…..no company or business wants to give money to someone who doesn’t have the ability to win and represent them. That being said, be prepared to hand them a business plan…what do YOU plan to do for the company/business in return for money……. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Start winning the barrels races that you run in. The big ones like D&G's, Winmore, ANHA's, and theres tons more.. |
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Expert
Posts: 1694
Location: Willows, CA | We get requests from riders wanting a sponsorship almost every day. My company has a committee that goes over every request. It is important to only align ourselves with those horse people that have used our product and are true believers in what we are doing. This is the number one priority. The rodeo people that are in the PRCA and WPRCA patch program for us feed our product every day, and did so before they ever put our logo on their shirts. Everyone knows who can be bought. We never do that. We supply product for the horses that they are hauling, and expect them to buy product for the horses that they have at home.(they do get a deal). Why would you want someone encouraging others to buy your product if they are not willing to spend some of their money on it themselves. I admit that this is different than most other companies, but our sponsor support is always with product. If you are a rider looking for a sponsor, don't get trapped into endorsing something that you do not believe in, or really know little about. I have seen endorsing riders, when asked about their sponsors product say, " I don't know that much about it, they just pay me to use it." What good does that do the Sponsor? If you present the right image, have talent and work hard enough to get the attention of Sponsors that are looking for riders in your area and discipline, you will not have to go looking for them. They will find you. |
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 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | winwillows - 2014-08-04 7:27 PM We get requests from riders wanting a sponsorship almost every day. My company has a committee that goes over every request. It is important to only align ourselves with those horse people that have used our product and are true believers in what we are doing. This is the number one priority. The rodeo people that are in the PRCA and WPRCA patch program for us feed our product every day, and did so before they ever put our logo on their shirts. Everyone knows who can be bought. We never do that. We supply product for the horses that they are hauling, and expect them to buy product for the horses that they have at home.(they do get a deal). Why would you want someone encouraging others to buy your product if they are not willing to spend some of their money on it themselves. I admit that this is different than most other companies, but our sponsor support is always with product. If you are a rider looking for a sponsor, don't get trapped into endorsing something that you do not believe in, or really know little about. I have seen endorsing riders, when asked about their sponsors product say, " I don't know that much about it, they just pay me to use it." What good does that do the Sponsor? If you present the right image, have talent and work hard enough to get the attention of Sponsors that are looking for riders in your area and discipline, you will not have to go looking for them. They will find you.
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | winwillows - 2014-08-04 6:27 PM We get requests from riders wanting a sponsorship almost every day. My company has a committee that goes over every request. It is important to only align ourselves with those horse people that have used our product and are true believers in what we are doing. This is the number one priority. The rodeo people that are in the PRCA and WPRCA patch program for us feed our product every day, and did so before they ever put our logo on their shirts. Everyone knows who can be bought. We never do that. We supply product for the horses that they are hauling, and expect them to buy product for the horses that they have at home.(they do get a deal). Why would you want someone encouraging others to buy your product if they are not willing to spend some of their money on it themselves. I admit that this is different than most other companies, but our sponsor support is always with product. If you are a rider looking for a sponsor, don't get trapped into endorsing something that you do not believe in, or really know little about. I have seen endorsing riders, when asked about their sponsors product say, " I don't know that much about it, they just pay me to use it." What good does that do the Sponsor? If you present the right image, have talent and work hard enough to get the attention of Sponsors that are looking for riders in your area and discipline, you will not have to go looking for them. They will find you.
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 Saint Stacey
| Be smart whe. It comes to social media. You'd be surprised at how many business will decide not to sponsor a person based off of what they find on things like Facebook. If you submit a request that has you looking like Sister Theresa...but then your Facebook shows you to be more like Heidi Fleiss...chances are no company will want you as someone they sponsor. |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | SKM - 2014-08-05 8:46 AM
Be smart whe. It comes to social media. You'd be surprised at how many business will decide not to sponsor a person based off of what they find on things like Facebook. If you submit a request that has you looking like Sister Theresa...but then your Facebook shows you to be more like Heidi Fleiss...chances are no company will want you as someone they sponsor.
can i like this comment 1,000 times? |
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Veteran
Posts: 276
| Acquiring sponsorships, when you are even winning at the amateur or open rodeo level, is extremely difficult. I would put more effort into working harder, saving money, and finding people in your area to split travel expenses. Map out the rodeos that are close to your area. Entry fees at the URAs, especially barrels, really aren't all that much more than going to the 4D jackpots around, and the payout is much better. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: Some where between there and here. | We are lucky enough to have several sponsors for my daughter. Sponsors come and go. Along with many local sponsors we have had a product sponsorship with Troxel helmets and Kinetic Technologies. It is a lot of work to continuously provide updated information. It also places a lot of responsibility on the rider to perform and act in a professional manner at all times. Out of every sponsorship request/packet sent out, we may get a 50% response. Out of that 50% only 1 or 2 will be interested. |
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 Ms. Elvis
Posts: 9606
Location: Running barrels or watching nascar | One thing I did learn in a motorsports management class was to have business cards, even if you currently don't work for anybody. I haven't picked up any sponsors yet but this is one tip I learned from other sports. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1094
Location: Idahome | winwillows - 2014-08-04 5:27 PM
We get requests from riders wanting a sponsorship almost every day. My company has a committee that goes over every request. It is important to only align ourselves with those horse people that have used our product and are true believers in what we are doing. This is the number one priority. The rodeo people that are in the PRCA and WPRCA patch program for us feed our product every day, and did so before they ever put our logo on their shirts. Everyone knows who can be bought. We never do that. We supply product for the horses that they are hauling, and expect them to buy product for the horses that they have at home.(they do get a deal). Why would you want someone encouraging others to buy your product if they are not willing to spend some of their money on it themselves. I admit that this is different than most other companies, but our sponsor support is always with product. If you are a rider looking for a sponsor, don't get trapped into endorsing something that you do not believe in, or really know little about. I have seen endorsing riders, when asked about their sponsors product say, " I don't know that much about it, they just pay me to use it." What good does that do the Sponsor? If you present the right image, have talent and work hard enough to get the attention of Sponsors that are looking for riders in your area and discipline, you will not have to go looking for them. They will find you.
1000% agree! The company I work for does the same thing. Depending on the company you are seeking, most will not do monetary sponsorships usually in product. We do not pay any of our endorsers other than a few bonuses during the year, which they earn. They all have to use our product and believe in it. We have gotten rid of some who quite using it except once a year and that wasn't working.
I agree with the other poster as well regarding social media. Trust me, anyone who is good at their job in making the decision for a sponsorship does their homework. I get requests come in everyday and I have turned people away from things I have seen. |
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 Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
Location: Buffalo, TX | We have a LOT of people ask us to sponsor them.....I don't mean this derogatory, but most of them want "free stuff" or money and don't want to do anything in return. I have offered a new Platinum trailer at a low cost to NFR hopefuls and I told them all they have to do is show the trailer and for each person they send who buys a trailer from me, I will make their trailer payment for them...haven't had a taker yet.....I won't mention her name, but a former NFR qualifier paid for her trailer this way!
I think a sponsor wants to know that the person representing their product is a winner in and out of the arena. Checking the facebook is a good one!!....I have rental houses and I do that with my applicants as part of a background check.....what you see tells you a lot about their character...
Edited by Cindy Hamilton 2014-08-05 12:23 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 632
Location: Missouri | Being from MO I am familiar with the URA, I just recently joined MRCA and a lot of our rodeos are co sanctioned with yours. And owning my own tack making company I get requests DAILY for sponsors. I currently only sponsor one WPRA girl and I reached out to HER. I liked her image, what she stood for etc. That may not be how others do it but if I'm putting my hard earned money on the table and items I've sweated over and spent many hours on, you bet I'm gonna want them to get the most exposure possible and be represented well. |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | Cindy Hamilton - 2014-08-05 10:34 AM We have a LOT of people ask us to sponsor them.....I don't mean this derogatory, but most of them want "free stuff" or money and don't want to do anything in return. I have offered a new Platinum trailer at a low cost to NFR hopefuls and I told them all they have to do is show the trailer and for each person they send who buys a trailer from me, I will make their trailer payment for them...haven't had a taker yet.....I won't mention her name, but a former NFR qualifier paid for her trailer this way!
I think a sponsor wants to know that the person representing their product is a winner in and out of the arena. Checking the facebook is a good one!!....I have rental houses and I do that with my applicants as part of a background check.....what you see tells you a lot about their character...
This is a GREAT idea!!! |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| Follow Fallon Taylor on instagram. I think thats the best advice you can get on how to market yourself. She's always got a new shoe, therapy, or supplement she's pushing lol |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368
| Cindy Hamilton - 2014-08-05 11:34 AM
We have a LOT of people ask us to sponsor them.....I don't mean this derogatory, but most of them want "free stuff" or money and don't want to do anything in return. I have offered a new Platinum trailer at a low cost to NFR hopefuls and I told them all they have to do is show the trailer and for each person they send who buys a trailer from me, I will make their trailer payment for them...haven't had a taker yet.....I won't mention her name, but a former NFR qualifier paid for her trailer this way!
I think a sponsor wants to know that the person representing their product is a winner in and out of the arena. Checking the facebook is a good one!!....I have rental houses and I do that with my applicants as part of a background check.....what you see tells you a lot about their character...
 "pick me! pick me!"
That is an awesome idea! I can't believe more people haven't taken that offer! What an opportunity! |
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 Queen Bee Cat Owner
Posts: 3629
Location: Way up North | You have gotten a lot of good insight so far. I see a lot of people want to get sponsored without really considering what that entails. I think thay think they will get some easy cash, slap a patch or something on a shirt they might wear once a month and call it good but why would a company want to do that? I also wonder if they realize how much added pressure will be on them to perform well and present a good image?
The company I work for offered to sponsor me this year but I wasn't comfortable doing that. I am not out there winning the 1D and pounding the pavement; I just have a few young horses I have raised and I do what I can but I am no professional. Instead I offered to wear shirts with their logos on so people would know they can ask me questions and have them sponsor the actual race. Way more exposure for them and less pressure on me. I will say I have gotten some snarky comments because people think they sponsored me personally so prepare yourself for that aspect as well.
What I can tell you is you need to be very well organized and be able to tell the company what they are getting. We have gotten lots and lots of requests for sponsorships since the first few races we sponsored and unless they give me a detailed explanation of what they are asking for as far as product/monetary amount and what we are getting in return I don't even bother presenting it to my boss. If they can not write or present their request in a professional manner they don't get a second look either. You become the face of the product and if you are percieved as uneducated, unorganized, or unethical in any way people will associate the product with that and that is bad for business.
My best suggestion would be to approach businesses that you already patronize and know you and present them with a packet detailing what you are asking for and what you will do for them in return. Having a few different "package options" helps too. Outline how many/which races/rodeos you will be going to in which locations and on average how many people are there to be exposed to. Pictures are great to show what you do as well.
Edited by AllAroundRider 2014-08-05 2:55 PM
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | ACowgirlsLastRun - 2014-08-04 4:54 PM I want to start riding in the URA this year.I was wondering how you get Sponsers. What are the steps I have to take??
I don't know of any URA girls who have sponsors honestly, and I've been a member for several years. Most of us just try to rodeo smart and win enough to cover at least some of our expenses and not go broke rodeoing.
It seems to me that you would need to be a current customer and a true believer in their products or services before asking about sponsorship. I have thought about asking the Co-op where I buy my custom mixed grain to sponsor me in the state NBHA sponsorship race but haven't gotten up the guts yet. We've bought our horse feed from them for years and it wouldn't be a very big sponsorship ($150) but I hate asking people for money. |
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 Blond Bombshell..
Posts: 6628
Location: Hill Country of TEXAS!! | This has blown my mind from the beginning of people asking for sponsorships/hand outs to go to races when they cant win it and go to the next one and win or place high. Bottom line is IF YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR A SPONSORSHIP< YOUR NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ONE> They will come to you, not the other way around. I was sponsored by a few companies when i was rodeoing and doing well. My horse got hurt and i called them and told them im sorry but im out for awhile. I would NEVER ask for sponsorship now since im on colts and not back to winning yet! If i cant afford it, i stay home and save up $!
eta- this subject has rubbed me the wrong way today due to a FB post about someone wanting to run 4 horses but shes broke and needs money to go at $250 per horse. I just dont understand asking for money to run at a race bc you want to and you dont have the $.
Edited by Dash4KJ 2014-08-05 3:58 PM
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Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
Location: Buffalo, TX | Dash4KJ - 2014-08-05 3:16 PM This has blown my mind from the beginning of people asking for sponsorships/hand outs to go to races when they cant win it and go to the next one and win or place high. Bottom line is IF YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR A SPONSORSHIP< YOUR NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ONE> They will come to you, not the other way around. I was sponsored by a few companies when i was rodeoing and doing well. My horse got hurt and i called them and told them im sorry but im out for awhile. I would NEVER ask for sponsorship now since im on colts and not back to winning yet! If i cant afford it, i stay home and save up $!
eta- this subject has rubbed me the wrong way today due to a FB post about someone wanting to run 4 horses but shes broke and needs money to go at $250 per horse. I just dont understand asking for money to run at a race bc you want to and you dont have the $.
How true!!!.....Oh....the stories I could tell....LOL....people never cease to amaze me....   |
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | Dash4KJ - 2014-08-05 4:16 PM This has blown my mind from the beginning of people asking for sponsorships/hand outs to go to races when they cant win it and go to the next one and win or place high. Bottom line is IF YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR A SPONSORSHIP< YOUR NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ONE> They will come to you, not the other way around. I was sponsored by a few companies when i was rodeoing and doing well. My horse got hurt and i called them and told them im sorry but im out for awhile. I would NEVER ask for sponsorship now since im on colts and not back to winning yet! If i cant afford it, i stay home and save up $!
eta- this subject has rubbed me the wrong way today due to a FB post about someone wanting to run 4 horses but shes broke and needs money to go at $250 per horse. I just dont understand asking for money to run at a race bc you want to and you dont have the $.
exactly..... |
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Blessed
Location: Here | Dash4KJ - 2014-08-05 3:16 PM This has blown my mind from the beginning of people asking for sponsorships/hand outs to go to races when they cant win it and go to the next one and win or place high. Bottom line is IF YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR A SPONSORSHIP< YOUR NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ONE> They will come to you, not the other way around. I was sponsored by a few companies when i was rodeoing and doing well. My horse got hurt and i called them and told them im sorry but im out for awhile. I would NEVER ask for sponsorship now since im on colts and not back to winning yet! If i cant afford it, i stay home and save up $!
eta- this subject has rubbed me the wrong way today due to a FB post about someone wanting to run 4 horses but shes broke and needs money to go at $250 per horse. I just dont understand asking for money to run at a race bc you want to and you dont have the $.
 And this is why you are a class act! |
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Veteran
Posts: 297
| I've been thinking of trying to get sponsors but I only do ibra and nbha shows. Not to get bashed but I don't do rodeos because of where they run them at around here (bad ground. Old race tracks). I am in the 1d/2nd but always thought sponsors were more for rodeos.. and agree with above post saying you need to give a little to get a llittle. I don't understand why ppeople would turn down a trailer because their to lazy to show it off. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 422
Location: Fort Bragg North Carolina | There's nothing wrong w asking for sponsorship some business don't know the horse world but would be happy to sponsor you if your local period. Sponsorships don't have to be horse related. Also rodeo people understand the meaning of having no money but ya still gotta get to that next rodeo haha I'd sell what I got to pay those entries :P |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| Dash4KJ - 2014-08-05 1:16 PM
This has blown my mind from the beginning of people asking for sponsorships/hand outs to go to races when they cant win it and go to the next one and win or place high. Bottom line is IF YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR A SPONSORSHIP< YOUR NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ONE> They will come to you, not the other way around. I was sponsored by a few companies when i was rodeoing and doing well. My horse got hurt and i called them and told them im sorry but im out for awhile. I would NEVER ask for sponsorship now since im on colts and not back to winning yet! If i cant afford it, i stay home and save up $!
eta- this subject has rubbed me the wrong way today due to a FB post about someone wanting to run 4 horses but shes broke and needs money to go at $250 per horse. I just dont understand asking for money to run at a race bc you want to and you dont have the $.
I absolutely agree. I work for one of the major sponsors and we get at LEAST 10 people a day asking for sponsorships. While I would LOVE to be sponsored by my company and have won a few buckles, qualified for the NBHA world championships my first year of barrel racing, blah blah blah...when it comes down to it, that's nothing notable. And while I am a person of high integrity, I have a mouth like a sailor when not at work and will tell someone to their face when they have stepped out of line with me. Probably a liability as far as my company is concerned. LOL
Bottom line is, if you are not at the top and squeaky clean as far as your personal reputation is concerned, you might not be worth it for the major sponsors. On top of that, many of them will not sponsor a minor due to legal reasons. So for anyone under 18 you might want to wait. |
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Expert
Posts: 1694
Location: Willows, CA | As hard as significant sponsorships are to get, companies do them for a reason. When we started the Renew Gold project, the first WPRA rider to wear our logo was Sherry Cervi. When she won a round at the Finals two years ago, the interview after was the first National exposure of our logo. The next morning, hits on our web site went up 600%. There could have been no other reason for that other than Sherry's interview the night before. That is why companies do this. Now, I understand that few people have the impact that Sherry does, but, there are a lot of people who are influential in their area and discipline who can benefit a sponsor. Present the proper image, (a real one), and work hard to be professional in your effort and sponsorships become much easier to come by. If you just want some free product, or bragging rights, you will not get serious sponsorship. Remember, there are a lot of people out there working their butts of for the same support. |
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 Winner winner chicken dinner
Posts: 2047
Location: California | winwillows - 2014-08-07 11:39 AM As hard as significant sponsorships are to get, companies do them for a reason. When we started the Renew Gold project, the first WPRA rider to wear our logo was Sherry Cervi. When she won a round at the Finals two years ago, the interview after was the first National exposure of our logo. The next morning, hits on our web site went up 600%. There could have been no other reason for that other than Sherry's interview the night before. That is why companies do this. Now, I understand that few people have the impact that Sherry does, but, there are a lot of people who are influential in their area and discipline who can benefit a sponsor. Present the proper image, (a real one), and work hard to be professional in your effort and sponsorships become much easier to come by. If you just want some free product, or bragging rights, you will not get serious sponsorship. Remember, there are a lot of people out there working their butts of for the same support. I first tried Renew Gold after Sherry posted a picture on Facebook of Stingray, mid-winter, looking fab-u-lous!! I'm glad I tried it, my horse is doing great on it!
Edited by phillyincal 2014-08-06 10:13 PM
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | phillyincal - 2014-08-06 10:12 PM
winwillows - 2014-08-07 11:39 AM As hard as significant sponsorships are to get, companies do them for a reason. When we started the Renew Gold project, the first WPRA rider to wear our logo was Sherry Cervi. When she won a round at the Finals two years ago, the interview after was the first National exposure of our logo. The next morning, hits on our web site went up 600%. There could have been no other reason for that other than Sherry's interview the night before. That is why companies do this. Now, I understand that few people have the impact that Sherry does, but, there are a lot of people who are influential in their area and discipline who can benefit a sponsor. Present the proper image, (a real one), and work hard to be professional in your effort and sponsorships become much easier to come by. If you just want some free product, or bragging rights, you will not get serious sponsorship. Remember, there are a lot of people out there working their butts of for the same support. I first tried Renew Gold after Sherry posted a picture on Facebook of Stingray, mid-winter, looking fab-u-lous!! I'm glad I tried it, my horse is doing great on it!
DITTO this! I'm hooked, horses are hooked - and it was from seeing Stingray/Sherry's results. |
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Sponsership??