It depends. I always donate or buy a couple extra field trip or a camp slot for a deserving kid.
Adults in a sport they are choosing to be in…… not so much.
There was a GFM that ticked my ticker not long ago. For a vet bill, but rider was still competing and lessoning her other equines plus works a very well paying full time gig.
No, not to to show. But I would donate towards an emergency vet bill though if I knew the person/circumstances pretty well. Showing is not necessary, vet care is.
I just gave a whole bunch of really nice work clothes to a woman who just got a job but no money for clothes that were appropriate for the office. Gave her high end blazers that are classic, couple pairs of slacks, etc. Easily several thousand $ on the open market.
Do I like them? Is it a once in a lifetime experience they will likely never have again (ie: junior in final year or adult with horse of a lifetime set to retire soon)? Maybe. If I have extra funds for some reason I would donate if I really supported that person and their goals. If it is someone I barely know who I don’t think would do the same for me then the likelihood is pretty much 0%.
I donated to a long term friend’s vet and cremation expense for her wonderful stallion who died unexpectedly around age four. And I’ve donated two sets of expensive harness to therapeutic riding centers who wanted to start a driving program. I’ve never been asked for showing expenses, and wouldn’t contribute if I were asked unless maybe it was for a child of a close friend.
Rebecca
The answer to that, for me, is another great COTH “it depends”. I’ve donated money to help kids. I’ve lent horses, I’ve trailered for free (and BEEN trailered for free), etc.
But a pro? Not so much for a pro. I have for example, though, taken a few more lessons from said pro leading up to an event in order for both of us to benefit. But a pro is doing this as a business, yes?
I suppose if I were friends with said pro, and sympathetic to her goals/travails, I still might. Just depends.
It may be an unpopular opinion, but if they are showing internationally, or at the national level, they shouldn’t need crowdfunding to do it, and they shouldn’t be asking anyone but a large equine business to sponsor…
As an equine industry professional, I’ve sponsored some shows/classes etc, but I would never consider sponsoring a national/international level rider.
I agree wholeheartedly with @Obsidian_Fire … this crowdfunding culture has got to stop. I refuse to subsidize anyone else’s hobby. Horse’s are a privilege, not a right. Showing is a privilege, not a right.
I’m happy to help out kids who don’t have the resources but do have the drive, seeing as I used to be one of them (though I’m certainly not wealthy at this point). Fundraising for vet bills for true freak accidents (local barn fire with a number of impacted lesson horses, for example), I’ll also contribute to if I can. For grown adults who are trying to raise money to show? Highly unlikely. Owning a horse is already a privilege. If you’re an adult and you want the added privilege of showing, figure it out. There are multiple people at my barn who pick up extra work here and there (especially over the winter) to support their show schedule.
The only adult person I’d ever donate to a fundraiser for on either a horse purchase or showing level is my trainer and that’s purely because she frequently half-jokingly says that if anything happens to the yearling she bought last summer, she’s quitting because she can’t handle losing another horse and she’s tapped out on the funds to bring another one all the way up the levels if there’s an untimely loss. All the boarders are in agreement that if something does happen (which we very much do not want), we’re crowdfunding to get her another horse because she works incredibly hard, has made every horse she’s competed herself, doesn’t have any owners supporting her, and, quite frankly, none of us will survive if we lose her as a trainer 
when my daughter lost her three year old in a horrible pasture accident she was offered many very good “replacements” at no cost from breeders we know across the country (several were even offering shipping at no cost) however the breeder of her lost horse offered her first choice of the upcoming foals as she had five mares that were due… daughter accepted that opportunity preferring the mare who foaled her lost horse…so she got the half brother of her lost horse but she was very humbled by the numerous offers.
I would donate, depending on the reason the person needs money, how well I knew them, and how much disposable income I have at the moment. If I have extra money and like them, then why not? Hobby is expensive and a little help is always appreciated.
I try to keep the mind of “there is no harm in asking” for GFM and the like. As someone said earlier, many people set GFMs up specifically because other people want to donate and that is an easy platform to receive money through. An artist I knew put up one for their cat. It had needed a couple thousand dollars worth of vet bills, which the owner was able to pay but it was a big blow to their finances. I threw a few dollars their way.
Conversely, there was an owner whose mare had unexpected complications during partition. They lost the filly but the mare had to undergo a lot of vet treatment. Owner had a decent following on IG and documented the entire thing. Many people donated to the GFM. I didn’t, because 1. I did not care for Owner (or follow them) and 2. I felt Owner was very irresponsible about the entire debacle. Sometime during the event, I believe while the mare was still hospitalized, the owner mentioned that they planned to rebreed mare and that opened up a nasty can of worms. Many people were upset that Owner would try breed again given they hadn’t had the money to pay the costs incurred the first time.
Same situation I posted re: nitwit upthread.
Adding this horse was the second weanling she’d bought from the same breeder.
First one died - not yet a yearling - while in breeder’s care from a parasite overload.
Supposedly paid high-4s for both.
Current POS (not at all a good representative for the alleged breed) is at best 1/4 (stud was registered Sporthorse, mare another outcross), has survived to be 3, but has neither the looks or movement of the breed claimed.
Flame suit on
I would never donate to fund horse show expenses, versus to someone who had experienced a terrible bereavement or loss. I realize there is the mentality of “it never hurts to ask” but it can create subliminal social pressure (like if you see someone in the barn, or the person comments on some of your threads on social media).
Also, with social media…financially I’m experiencing some difficulties and as a result I’ve had to slash most of my fun “mental stress relief” activities (even small things). When someone asks for money for a non-necessary thing, then posts photos of other expensive purchases and vacations I can’t afford for myself, then I think unkind things.
The one possible exception I’m thinking of who I didn’t side-eye is Dom Schramm, who did some crowdfunding to help him event one of his horses, but even then, he’s an example of someone who has given a lot back himself to people (through instructional videos and such online) in the sport and has experiened more than his fair share of losses (barn fire).
No. Absolutely not.
“Professional student” we used to call these.
It is very dependent for me and not age restricted. I donated to someone who used to post here, she had the link in her signature line and was just looking to get to a Training 3 Day before her house got to old. I subcategories the last $20 or less she needed (which wasn’t listed as that much, maybe a couple thousand). I received a very nice thank you note in return complete with acknowledgement that I pushed her over that finish line. We were both young adults at the time and I didn’t have a lot of money but could spare that.
On the other hand, professionals asking for hang outs for injured horses I after clear of. That is a risk you should plan for.
I’m not always keen on giving kids money, either, I find adults more thankful and usually they are more committed.
The adults in question… that’s a NO from me.
I guess it just depends. If it’s just a regular old show like they go to all the time, nah. But if it’s a Big Deal Show that is a huge opportunity for them, especially if it’s someone I know fairly well, absolutely. There is a girl at my barn who I would 100% donate to help if they had a big goal they were shooting for, she works super hard, I love her horse, and I’m always rooting for them when they go to competitions. Same with a few other ladies at my barn that show, I’d at least donate a little. I wouldn’t break the bank by any means, but even a little bit can help.
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