Fundraising_For_Horse_Riding_&_Pony

It's easy...

Clinics are easy to organize...just email us to see if we are available on the dates you have in mind, and we can "talk you through" all the steps you'll need to bring it together.

Lessons

Helmet All riders of all sports and all levels need to wear a current approved safety helmet with strap correctly fitted for insurance purposes.
Green horse -vs- experienced horse? It's probably best to bring your quieter more experienced horse so we can focus on you, and you can relax and be at your best.
Private -vs- Shared Lesson? Instead of ONE private ... have TWO SHARED lessons instead. You will get far more value for your money.
Riders - Bring helpers! Bring your family members for free. It really does make your day easier & more fun.
Please stay & watch. Get the most out of your own lesson by staying to watch other lessons - as many as you can. A very rewarding day out.

Lesson Times - 8 lessons per day

An earlier start due to heat, or later start due to ice/snow is always recommended on excessive weather days. If the temperature goes over 39 degrees Celsius, lessons will be delayed until the temperature returns below 39C as it is not fair to horses, riders, the audience or coaches.

Evening lessons may also be available at some venues.

Morning demonstrations for clubs go from 8:30am until 10:45am on the first day of the clinic only (normally Saturday), with the first lesson straight afterwards so crowds can stay to watch. For remaining days lessons start at 8:30am.

All lessons go for 1 hour, and are best scheduled as follows:

Lesson 1     09:00 am    (or donated demo 8:30-10:45am on 1st day)

Lesson 2     09:45

                         10:30am Break

Lesson 3     10:45am

Lesson 4     11:30am

                         12:15pm Lunch

Lesson 5     1:15pm

Lesson 6     2:00pm

                         2:45pm Break

Lesson 7     3.00pm

Lesson 8     3:45pm

Payments

It is preferred of organisers can collect fees and send in one lump sum.

Lessons must be paid for in advance so we're confirmed to go ahead.

See How to Make Payments

Evening Lectures

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Rather than charge your club or barn for airfares, gas & travelling expenses, we want to keep your expenses to a minimum! An evening lecture is what pays for Colleen's travel to get to your venue, therefore it is greatly appreciated if you could promote this evening to clubs and riders in your area. If an evening lecture has not been arranged by the club, then either the morning demonstration fees will go to Colleen to cover travel, or travel fees may be charged if we have to travel to your venue.

Similar to the classroom PowerPoint lectures at Equitana or Equine Affaire, this is a fun educational evening that is easily understood by juniors and beginners. It is suitable for all horse sports, and we can adjust the lecture to suit your specific club's sport and level of riders. See Lecture topics

Riders learn how to improve their sitting trot, falling in, falling on the forehand & how to engage the horse and ask for more collection the correct way!   You will leave with a very good understanding of what judges and top coaches and riders are really looking for. Coaches & 'parents who help' will learn the specifics of what to look for in the rider, and how to test their position.

$20 adults $10 children/students

This small charge is ideal for people who cannot afford lessons. This amount goes to Colleen Kelly to help cover airfare & travel expenses.

If an evening lecture has not been arranged by the club, travel expenses may be payable.

What you need for the evening event

The Venue It's normally pretty easy to get a hall or meeting room DONATED. Most municipal councils, Scout Halls, or conference centers are happy to donate a room if it is for an educational purpose for a club, and of genuine benefit to the local community.   Please don't pay for a venue until you check with us, as we might be able to find a free venue for you.

Coffee or Snacks Some clubs & venues get their members to "bring a plate", or provide "wine & cheese". Anything "extra" to promote the evening, and make it more fun. If the club runs a canteen or similar all revenue from canteens & food goes to your club or group.

PowerPoint The evening lecture is a Powerpoint presentation, similar to the classroom style presentations you see at Equitana & Equine Affaire. For the evening, you need:
                 a)   A laptop (with PowerPoint)
                 b)   Projector
                 c)   Large screen
                 d)   A technical person to test it prior to our arrival and put it together
                 (there's always someone more technical than us - so please ask for volunteers!)

Auction Items    After interval at the evening event, why not have an auction of donated items such as gift certificates, restaurant dinners, horse items etc. It always amazes me that the smallest, most remote clubs nearly always raise the most amount of money through donations of items to auction. Several clubs have raised $7,000 at these events!

Collecting money    Funds raised at the evening event help pay for Colleen's airfare & costs. Please arrange for a person at the door to collect monies. (Hint: A great spot at the door to also sell raffle tickets for your club)

Donated Demo

Lunchtime Donated Demonstration - 100% Fundraiser for your Group

If an evening lecture has been arranged by a club to cover travel fees then Colleen will DONATE her time FREE OF CHARGE to help your club raise funds.

The small charge of $20 for adults & $10 for children and concession goes to your club's fundraising.

This practical ridden demonstration is similar to the ones you see at Equitana or Equine Affaire.

We can adapt the demonstration to your club's special needs, and work with your sport and with your standard and age of riders.

Learn how horses fall in, fall on the forehand and cut corners. See the best "tests" to see if riders are behind the movement or in front, or unstable sideways. Learn 8 different ways to turn horses, and why only 1 way is safe and recommended by judges.

If you can arrange to have a LOUD CD player, then you will see how fast a horse should travel in walk, trot and canter, and why judges are always saying "not enough impulsion", or "rushing".

See how even juniors can start working on higher level movements like shoulder in and half pass.

Here's what you'll need.

The Venue An INDOOR arena is preferred. If your group has an outdoor, try approaching local indoor venue owners. Arena owners often donate their arena for the fundraiser, in return for free spectating & the information they gain, plus the promotion of their venue.

Demo riders (Get a FREE LESSON!)    It is best if you can arrange for two of your best riders to donate their time (there is no cost to them and they do learn a lot in this "free lesson"). It is preferred if they can bring their best/quietest horse, and ideal if they ride in English saddlery as some western saddles prevent some of the wonderful balance exercises. It's fun, and non-threatening or embarrassing.   We're not "picking on their position", rather showing things like "if you overweight one seatbone, let's watch what the horse does".   "If you look inside the circle let's see if your horse falls in". "If you look outside of the circle let's see if the horse falls out". It's very easy and fun.

Music Can you please try to provide a portable CD player, or a car that can be parked inside or close to the arena to play a music CD we bring with us.

Sound System   We do bring a small sound system with us, however if a larger sound system is part of your venue, then that is ideal. We can adjust to suit on the day.

Collecting money    Funds raised at the morning demos go completely to your clubs fundraising. So, can you make sure you have someone to collect the money, especially at larger events.

Coffee & Tea or Cafeteria Some clubs include tea & coffee in the spectator price. Other clubs run a cafeteria & charge for food for extra fundraising. It's up to you. All monies raised in canteens or on food sales belong to your club or group.

Spectator Comfort & Information   We need to keep spectators comfortable, so advise them if they need to bring chairs, think of tea/coffee facilities (ideal for more fundraising). Truck parking is also very important.   For outdoor areas, rain and sunburn are your two biggest issues. Think of the possibility of a portable tent/coverall even for a few of the older riders (and Colleen who is out there all day).

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation and all meals at a club member's home need to be arranged for Colleen and an assistant. If this is not possible, then the club needs to arrange and pay for a local motel.

Due to recent health issues Colleen would genuinely appreciate light & simple vegetarian meals.

Airfares - Transport

So that there are no costs whatsoever to your group., all Transport costs are included in the lesson fees if you are prepared to hold an evening lecture. If no lecture has been arranged, then transport to and from your venue may be charged, but please discuss this with us in advance, as we may already be in your area.

Waivers - Print out before lesson.

All riders must sign a waiver BEFORE MOUNTING or have their guardian sign if they are under 18 years. It is therefore important that organisers print out and send waivers to riders in advance - especially if guardians are unable to attend on the day. Print Insurance Waiver

Video Filming

No private video filming is permitted of lessons, lectures or demos
We film nearly all clinics & lessons so riders can have a record of their riding to refer back to and to compare for years to come. See costs & information on Video and Filming

Promoting your event

To gain the most from your fundraising, you need to promote the event as much as possible.
See How one small remote club raised THOUSANDS!

Here's some tips. We can make up an advertisement, or you can make your own for distribution to::

► Saddlery & produce stores
► Newspaper article (we can provide photos)
► Windshield wipers at horse shows
► Farriers, vets, massage people that travel in the local area
► Your email list
► Other clubs to help spread the word of your fundraiser
► Internet forums for your area
► Equestrian Federation/Pony Clubs/Adult Riding in your area
► Registered coaches
► Agistment & riding centers

Cancellations - Refunds for lesson payments

It's important you understand our payment & cancellation policies for lessons See Cancellation Policy

Related topics

► Lessons: Costs & Info

► Guest Speaking at Clubs

► Fundraising ideas

► Payments for Lessons: How to pay

► Bank Account Details

► Suggested lecture topics