Intelligent HorsemanshipSponsored GoalsInformation Pack

Includes

1. What is it?

2. About your goal

3. Sponsor information sheet

4. Sponsorship form

What is it?

The main objective of the IH Sponsored Goals is to raise funds for the IH Charity of the Year. There is a further aim as well, and that is to help IH and IHDG members achieve their goals, whatever they may be.

With IHers spread across the UK and beyond, and having diverse interests and ambitions, a single sponsored event isn't really possible. We can all, though, find a goal to aim for. For some that goal might be part of your progression with your chosen equine discipline, for others it might be conquering those confidence demons. Others might have non-horsey goals that could still benefit from the support of the group.

How does it work?

Each person decides their own goal and their own time frame. They then ask for sponsorship, even just a £1 or so, to achieve that goal. When it is achieved, you collect the money and donate it to the IH Charity Fund through: www.justgiving.com/IHSponsoredGoals, orwww.paypal.co.uk, reference charity@ihhq.net

If you like, you can join the Goal Seekers Group on the IH Discussion Group (DG). You don't need to be an existing member and you don't need to join the DG in any other way if you'd rather not, but you do need to be a member to post.

The Goal Seekers Group will have a separate section on the DG. Within that, each person can create their own thread to chart progress, ask for ideas and get support, especially when things get tough. The group will be carefully moderated to ensure that people's threads aren't hijacked and to make sure that it remains a positive, supportive place.

An added incentive!

If achieving your goal and raising money for charity isn't enough of an incentive, there will be a prize for the person who raises the most in the calendar year.

Why take part?

Whether simply to raise funds for charity, whether you feel setting a goal and time frame will help you, whether the idea of a goal-focussed support group appeals to you, or just for a bit of fun, there are reasons why we could all join in. In fact, the question is more why should you not?

About your goal

In order to ask others to sponsor you, your goal needs to be clearly defined. In needs to be SMART:

SpecificMeasurableAttainableRealisticTimely

In other words, you need to be able to tell your sponsors what you want to achieve, how you will know that you have achieved it and when you aim to achieve it by. Your goal also needs to be something that you can realistically do.

In order to persuade others to part with their hard earned pennies, your goal also needs to be difficult for you. It doesn't have to be something that the whole world would find awe inspiring, like jumping out of an airplane; as long as you can say why you find this particular goal difficult, people will sponsor you. There are some ideas of goals on the next page but you can choose anything you like, as long as it's legal!

Once you have decided your goal, it would be helpful to write down an outline of your goal that you can show to others if they ask. This will also help you be clear in what you are aiming to do. Also, form a plan. Plans can change as you go along and find that what you'd thought might work doesn't but something else does, but you need some sort of plan to get you started. The Goal Seekers Group on the DG will be able help you form a plan if you find this bit difficult.

What will your friends sponsor you for?

Your goal doesn't have to be something new or something you've been stuck on for years. As long as your friends and family will sponsor you to achieve it then it can be your goal. You might be in the middle of a long term project, in which case a certain step along the way could be your goal for this year.

Choosing your goal

You may already have a goal in mind or you may not. Whichever it is, think carefully about your choice. Keep it clear and simple, and make sure it's something you actually want to do. If your goal involves your horse or another person or animal, make sure that your goal takes them into consideration too. You may dearly wish to compete in a three day event this summer but if your horse is 20 years old and has never done anything more than hacking it's not really going to work, is it? The last thing we want is for people to push their horses into something unfair simply in order to raise money.

What if you don't reach your goal?

Some of us may well not reach the goal we set in the time frame we decided. You will, though, hopefully have got part way there, in which case your sponsors may agree to pay you a part of the agreed sponsorship, or they may agree to extending the date. And if your sponsors decide not to pay you because you haven't achieved your goal, then at least you will have taken part and learned along the way.

Ideas of goals Overcoming confidence wobbles: this could be aiming for your first hack, your first

canter or your first solo ride in years. It could be entering your first show or jumping a course of 2ft jumps.

Helping your horse over something: travelling, clipping, competing indoors - working through whatever issues your horse has could be your goal.

Learning something new - if you've always fancied endurance, Le Trec or dressage, this could be the time to try it. Give yourself an achievable goal and go for it!

Moving on to the next step - if you're already competing in a discipline and now it's time to move up a gear, then make achieving that next step your goal.

Reaching a milestone, such as gaining your MRPCH or BHS AI

Non-horsey goals

Your goals don't have to be horsey. If your aim is to run a marathon, win the agility cup with your dog or fly in a plane for the first time, then make it your sponsored goal.

Shout about it!

Be proud of what you are about to achieve. Let your friends and family know what you're doing so they can sponsor you and join in your proud moments. Let others at the yard know too, so that they can rally round and even help. If you're doing something of wider interest, don't be afraid to contact the local press or radio. The local media love good news stories such as "local girl rides across England for charity". Don't forget to document your progress, including good quality photos. The IH Magazine is always on the lookout for stories!

Disclaimer

Please be safe! Whilst we really appreciate your support, Intelligent Horsemanship is not responsible for organising, supervising or hosting your sponsorship activity. All activities, and participation in them, are at the participants’ own risk.

Neither Intelligent Horsemanship or the charity for which funds are being raised accepts responsibility or liability for any loss or damage, or for any death or personal injury, arising out of any sponsorship activity including liability as a result of negligence (except where caused by our own negligence).

Your sponsorship materials must not suggest that you represent IH, only that you are fundraising in support of our chosen charities.

If children (under 16) are involved in sponsorship in any way, please make sure that they have permission from their parent or guardian, and are properly supervised by a responsible adult. Children should never approach strangers about sponsorship

Sponsor Information Sheet

Each year, the Intelligent Horsemanship Association nominates a registered equine charity to be the IH Charity of the Year. Our charity for 2013 is the Shy Lowen Horse and Pony Sanctuary in Liverpool. Shy Lowen is a very special charity for two reasons. Firstly, they accept horses with behavioural problems and use IH methods to deal with them. Secondly, the sanctuary is in part run by local children and young people, some with issues of their own. Horse and human teach each other, resulting in a brighter future for both.

You can read more about Shy Lowen at www.shylowen.com.

By sponsoring me to achieve my own goal, you will also be sponsoring Shy Lowen to achieve its goals.

Name: .........................................................................................................

Goal: .........................................................................................................

Deadline: .........................................................................................................

My goal and why it is significant for me:

IH Sponsored Goals

Sponsorship FormName of participant ………………………………………………….

Name Address AmountTick if Paid

Thank You for Your Help and Contributions