Do you donate to other riders' horse endeavors?

[Foxglove]

Right now I have three riders whom I know personally asking me to donate to their planned equestrian events: two are qualified to travel overseas where they will compete internationally, the other wants to go to a national show some distance away. [the two international competitors belong to a nation-wide group that I am sure is giving them some funding to travel --however, even if not, it seems I should not pay for someone else’s horse show regardless of where it is]

COTH may say: ignore the requests –

I could, but then I was thinking that this is something I would never do: ask anyone for money for a LUXURY like showing a horse! I can see donating to help a friend’s horse have life-saving surgery, --but travel? Well, the request itself strikes me as an imposition on friendship.

Can you see yourself asking (these have all been through FB or Messenger) “I want to go to Cancun --will you donate so I can make my dream a reality?” I suppose people do that --but it is something I would not. . would you?

[Bluey]

@Foxglove

Right now I have three riders whom I know personally asking me to donate to their planned equestrian events: two are qualified to travel overseas where they will compete internationally, the other wants to go to a national show some distance away. [the two international competitors belong to a nation-wide group that I am sure is giving them some funding to travel --however, even if not, it seems I should not pay for someone else’s horse show regardless of where it is]

COTH may say: ignore the requests –

I could, but then I was thinking that this is something I would never do: ask anyone for money for a LUXURY like showing a horse! I can see donating to help a friend’s horse have life-saving surgery, --but travel? Well, the request itself strikes me as an imposition on friendship.

Can you see yourself asking (these have all been through FB or Messenger) “I want to go to Cancun --will you donate so I can make my dream a reality?” I suppose people do that --but it is something I would not. . would you?

It depends on the circumstances.
A friend trainer asked for help with a kid barn rat that the family had troubles and she was helping with more than the horses.
We let her have some nice horses to show and contributed to the expenses.
Kid was really good and won top junior awards with everyone’s help, was very grateful and, the goal, made a great responsible, caring adult.

That is a bit different than helping a struggling adult, but again, it depends on the circumstances if we can and maybe should help.

I would say, if you feel imposed on, listen to your feelings, don’t go there, don’t let anyone pressure you into doing something you are not comfortable doing, no excuse necessary, a good solid NO is enough.

[Mohan]

If I had the money to donate I would. Many riders need to rely on donations of some sort to break into the upper echelons of the sport.

Don’t feel bad or let anyone make you feel bad if you don’t want to donate money.

[furlong47]

I think they have the right to ask, but I also have the right to say no.

To some extent it depends on what else may be aided by the trip aside from just the goals of this individual. For example, I belong to a different sport where we’re often asked to donate to our US teams for their travel to world championships. But this trip isn’t just glory for the individual competitors - it helps raise visibility and interest in our sport in the US, and it helps show the results of our country’s program in international competition. The teams also do fundraising efforts and aren’t just sticking out their hands asking for money. I’m also far more likely to help someone I know genuinely needs the help and who has worked really hard to get this opportunity.

[Foxglove]

@furlong47 : I like your answer --one of the international competitors is an MD who seems to work when she wants to and travel to competitions all over the USA --likely doing 20-30 a year. The other international competitor is a professional who travels extensively organizing and judging clinics and competitions --she is on the road probably 20-30 weekends a year too --but it is her job.

The third who wants to go to Nationals, seems to me to be someone who just wants to go and show. At best she is a marginal rider with a horse who is not an outstanding example of his breed. She is a long time grad-student (PhD) --clearly not making any money --but again, seems from her FB posts to do a ton of cos-play and travel for such things.

[clanter]

@Foxglove

Can you see yourself asking (these have all been through FB or Messenger) “I want to go to Cancun --will you donate so I can make my dream a reality?”

depends upon if they want to come back, there are some people that I most likely would contribute funds for a one way trip

however, just because a person rattles a can for collection does not mean you have to drop a coin in

[Angela_Freda]

I’ve actually been considering sponsoring a kid at the barn I work at.
Either a young kid to attend camp, or an older kid to lease a horse for the summer before she goes off to college.
When I think about the possibility of me riding, I go straight to, “…but we need kids in this sport, not ol ladies!”

The sport we love doesn’t exist without young riders coming up, and they often can’t do it alone.

[2tempe]

I mostly aim my rider donations towards therapeutic riding centers. Was heavily involve with a large one up north and still donate though in Florida. Also support one here. I have a young horse that will be shown in the U-25 classes this summer; but that is more a business arrangement than a donation of the horse or money.

[Paint_Party]

Years ago there was a young woman who rode at my trainer friend’s barn. She worked for a large media company. Before every show, she’d solicit her co-workers to “sponsor” one of her classes. They’d pay her entry fee for a particular class, and if she won a ribbon, they’d get the ribbon. I was surprised, to say the least, that a lot of her classes were sponsored.

[Obsidian_Fire]

@clanter

there are some people that I most likely would contribute funds for a one way trip

OP, my short answer is NO. Showing is not a necessity. And this “crowdfunding” thing, IMO, has gotten way out of control.
That said, if a person is trying to ‘be somebody’ in the equine world, for example a trainer, I’ll contribute by taking lessons, if the person can teach something of value to me. IOW, they can earn my money the old fashioned way. I’ve taken plenty of lessons from people far younger than me, and learned a great deal, and been happy to do so.

[Paint_Party]

@Angela_Freda

Either a young kid to attend camp, or an older kid to lease a horse for the summer before she goes off to college.

I would consider doing this, too.

Also, if the right kid comes along, I would pay part or all of the costs for them to show my horse. He’s very cute, sweet and knows his job already, and I’m becoming less enthused with competing as I grow older. Let someone younger have the opportunity who might not otherwise have access to a nice horse.

[joiedevie99]

Under certain circumstances, sure - really deserving kid that I knew personally, when my trainer qualified for Pan Ams.

[Highflyer1]

Sure, although I am more likely to contribute if they do more than just ask for money-- for example if they sell something/organize an event etc. But I grew up in pony club and am very grateful for all the people over the years who bought my stupid pizza kits and homemade horse treats and who now contribute money and prizes when I ask for them for our GMO.

[LCDR]

Though I do not facebook, I would consider requests for money via that route as something to ignore. Your three friends who are requesting donations of you that way probably have sent identical requests to multiple “friends.” You are simply on the list.

This to me is entirely different from an in-person discussion with a real friend who can explain why they need financial assistance from you.

[Jealoushe]

I do and have depending on the situation. If I can throw $25 at someone or someone’s vet bill to help them out with a goal or a time in need I figure why not.

[FjordBCRF]

@Foxglove

One of the international competitors is an MD who seems to work when she wants to and travel to competitions all over the USA --likely doing 20-30 a year. The other international competitor is a professional who travels extensively organizing and judging clinics and competitions --she is on the road probably 20-30 weekends a year too --but it is her job.

The third who wants to go to Nationals, seems to me to be someone who just wants to go and show. At best she is a marginal rider with a horse who is not an outstanding example of his breed. She is a long time grad-student (PhD) --clearly not making any money --but again, seems from her FB posts to do a ton of cos-play and travel for such things.

I would also say it depends. In these cases though, I wouldn’t feel so inclined.

[Scribbler]

Anyone can put up a GFM. Nobody is required to pay. I’d say there’s far less social pressure than witj Girl Guide cookies or sponsoring someone’s marathon run fundraiser. There’s no obvious greater social benefit in paying for horse shows.

That said, other people may be closer to the person or may be sitting on a pile of cash. Often GFM are set up because some friends have said they want to help out and it’s an easy platform.

Often too GFM get no bites at all.

So I would say feel entirely free to ignore.

Here’s my test for those personal GFM. Am I close enough to this person that I would ever hand her a wad of cash in real life? No? Then Im not close enough to respond to GFM.

Just because someone asks doesn’t mean you need to feel guilty for ignoring.

I help out my horsey friends in various ways and have given juniors free riding time on my horse a couple of times (didn’t really work out due to mare). Helping real people in your life is wonderful. Helping juniors is wonderful.

But I have zero guilt about ignoring all cash grabs advertising GFM etc etc.

The riding doctor may have medical friends who want to be part of her journey. Or wealthy patients. GFM goes out to all contacts. There is no reason to give it any more thought.

If the person doing the GFM demonstrably has a higher income than me, there is No Frigging Way I am going to be subsidizing their hobby at a higher level than I can afford for myself.

[Spudsmyguy]

No, because most of them can afford any horse endeavors they want to pursue. Meanwhile, I can’t drum up an extra $750 to take a trip to see my family whom I haven’t seen for two years.

[sherian]

I am far more inclined to support someone financially who does something for it than just puts their hand out so to speak ie a silent auction or organises an event. I have in the past given good kids things to help them out like tack or show clothes I don’t use or taught them a useful skill to help them.

[2DogsFarm]

Same answer as @Spudsmyguy
This Ma Hubbard is tapped out for the next couple of months at least.
And my only family is my brother, 2K miles away. We haven’t seen each other since 2017.

No matter how deserving, I just can’t now.
But I won’t for those soliciting for their own personal use.
Like the GFM started to pay for multiple colic surgeries for the 20-something nitwit who overpaid for her horse, has a kid (& lives with her grandparents), but chose to add the expense of a $9K vet bill over euth.
Sorry, doing things with horses is expensive.
Cutting your losses is sometimes the wisest choice.
Makes me wonder how she balances kid vs horse.

I gifted friends for Xmas last year by making small donations to a theraputic riding program in their names.
Not a single thanks received, so that won’t be repeated.
Though if I can, I’ll still donate to the program.