Sponsorship

I’m back! Biamonte Stables has finally found a home and the business is growing. I've recovered from my injury. Felipe had his surgery and is beginning rehabilitation.

You may or may not know that I started on this journey some years ago. I left my career as a Nurse Practitioner to pursuit my passion -- horses and dressage competition -- and help others do the same. I was training. I was competing. All of it was suddenly turned upside down by a series of unexpected events.

The first occurred when I sustained a neck injury. I was forced out of the saddle to devote more than a year to my own recovery. I had two surgeries to my neck and put in months of physical therapy. While this was happening it became time for Shanelle, my competition partner, to retire from the rigors of competition and start the more laid back and less demanding job of “teaching” my clients. Eventually I got the "ok" to return to riding and was lucky enough to acquire my horse of a lifetime, Felipe, a huge, handsome, big hearted and talented Hanovarian.

Then, without warning, my business was forced to move when the barn I leased was sold. So more time out of the saddle as I focused on the business -- finding a new home, settling the horses and expanding my clientele. To make matters worse, Felipe sustained an injury that prevented him from being ridden. One step forward, 3 steps back.

The good news is Biamonte Stables has a wonderful home at Groth Hill and I am now in a position to start over...again! But I need your help.

Competing at the national and international level is demanding -- physically, emotionally and financially: the hours spent in the saddle, working out in the elements, the travel, the hours in the gym...the hours in general. The days are very long and very physical. You have to love this "job" with every fiber of your being, and I do! I know I have the ability, the passion, the desire, the discipline, and the coaches. What I don’t have is enough time or money.

Financial support is integral for competing at the national and international level in equestrian sports. American equestrian athletes rely on individual and corporate funding to relieve the financial strains of competition and training. There is no government funding for equestrian athletes up to the Olympic level. That is where sponsorship comes in. It takes an enormous collective effort by a great many people to get a horse and rider in the ring. It really does take a village.

Please join Team Biamonte. I assure you, regardless of the type of support or size of contribution, all will be gratefully received and put to very good use!

As a dressage rider, Lorri will need time and funding to ride extensively, to train (in the saddle and the gym) and to compete in local and out-of area dressage shows. As owner of Biamonte Stables she is responsible for the care of all the horses in her stables, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Biamonte Stables is a 19 stall facility. It's a lot of work and it is very time consuming. A typical day at Biamonte Stables starts at 6:00 a.m and ends around 10 p.m. Each day the horses are fed and watered. Their stalls are cleaned. They’re “turned out” into pastures...they need to come in too. There’s daily clean up and maintenance in the barn, riding ring and pastures. It’s a lot of walking, lifting, shoveling and hauling. And it needs to be done regardless of whether it’s 103 degrees or minus 10 degrees.

On average it costs $6,000 per year for room and board, plus other routine expenses. Fly spray runs up to $20 per week in the summer and the farrier trims hooves every 6 weeks at $85 per visit. The dentist costs $100 annually and a year’s worth of vaccines totals around $450. Horses in competition have additional costs. For example, Felipe’s farrier bill runs $170 every 6 weeks because he needs corrective shoeing. His nutritional joint supplement costs $65 per month and chiropractic care is $200 per visit.

Time with your coach is crucial. To be competitive you need eyes on the ground scrutinizing your every move in the saddle, during practice and competition. Even Olympic riders have coaches they work with regularly. Coaching and training fees run about $2,300 per horse per month.

Entry fees for horses competing at 4th level or below are $30-50 per class and can go as high as $200 for upper levels. Traveling expenses per show will vary but on average a 2 day show away from home costs about $500 which includes stabling fees, bedding, food for horses and humans, grooming and hotel. This doesn’t include airfare or costs to ship a horse to a more distant show.

Competition attire is elegant but costly. The basic black or navy short jacket is approximately $400. Above 4th level a tailcoat called a Shadbelly is required which runs on average $800. Tall boots can cost $1,000 a pair. A competitive saddle cost thousands of dollars. A good bridle at the lower levels costs $300. Upper levels required a double bridle and the cost -- you guessed it -- is double.

Active competition will impact the finances of Biamonte Stables. When competing Lorri loses income from normal teaching and training, and her expenses will go up as she hires someone to “manage” the barn in her absence.

Time - Invest your time. Relieving Lorri of barn duties gives her more time in the saddle. It also reduces payroll costs, which makes more money available for training and competing. A roster of volunteer opportunities is posted on the online scheduling system. Click here to take a look

Financial - No dollar amount is too small. All contributions are gratefully received. Forms of support could include sponsoring a horse or a related expense, or sponsoring a block of training sessions. Have another idea? Suggest it to Lorri.

iGive - Do you shop or search online? If yes, you can help Team Biamonte financially every time you do. Join IGive.com and a percentage of your searches/purchases (paid by the company) will be donated to Biamonte Stables. It's free. It's easy. It's a great way to help without taking any money out of your pocket. Click this link for more information iGive .

The benefits are many. We custom fit your business sponsorship relationship so that you derive the maximum benefit possible for your business. For instance, your banner ad can be placed on Biamonte’s website with a link to yours; information on your products can be displayed in the barn; a banner promoting your business can be hung on the fence line (on a heavily traveled main thoroughfare in Bucks County); greater awareness can be generated through word of mouth advertising; we’re open to other options.

Contribution of goods and services: Have a product or service to offer? Lorri’s belt is notched pretty tight so she’s interested in exploring all ideas. Perhaps you have a product or service to put up for auction or raffle. Be creative!

At cost goods: Providing products at cost helps lower overall expenses. In an active barn those dollars really add up.

Monetary: Financial contributions are always welcome. Every dollar is put to very good use!

Invest in a horse for training and resale based on Lorri's recommendation. As the trainer/owner Lorri's responsibilities include day-to-day supervision, all training, competitive showing (as appropriate) and marketing for sale.

As the investor/owner you are responsible for all out of pocket expense including: purchase price, board, shoeing, vet work, competition costs, etc. Upon sale of the horse and after the investor/owner recovers all costs paid, the profit is split as previously agreed between the investor/owner and Lorri.

Personally

Be apart of something big. Do you admire the sport of dressage? Do you admire the beauty, elegance, and majesty of the horse? Are you in awe of the harmonious partnership between dressage horse and rider? How would it feel to be apart of making it happen?

Spend time with people of common interest. Make a day of it at the shows: watch horse and rider combinations turned out in their finest, attend the social gatherings, shop at the vendors, meet new and interesting people, get in the winners circle for a picture, come to the hospitality events. Have "back stage" access! See what goes on behind the scenes at the shows and in the barn. Be kept up to date on all the goings on via email and newsletter.

The equestrian consumer audience has annual expenditure, as estimated by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) members, of over $2 billion.

Dressage is the fastest growing English riding discipline and has possibly the highest demographic profile and occupational mix represented by any equestrian sport. It is followed closely by a diverse group of affluent and influential customers.

Increase the exposure of your business to the equestrian audience. Network with other sponsors and companies.

An interesting and unique way to entertain prospective and current clients - ringside at dressage shows and your VIP backstage access!