[QUOTE=kh209;8307540]
Hate to nitpick but it’s “Accepted”.[/QUOTE]
You are very right 
My bad.
Thank you ALL for the wonderful suggestions and advice! Getting sponsored was just one of the ideas I had, and I see now that there are many other far more helpful ways to get my foot in the door. I am definitely going to learn to braid!
My main problem is that I actually live about 350 miles away from my trainer (I moved a while ago). The area that I live in now has nothing in the h/j department. So I work for a western trainer in exchange for a lesson. So I have been going back to work for my h/j trainer every couple months for about a month at a time. So getting catch rides has been hard. But I’m starting to think braiding might be my ticket!
Thank you all again!
What I am going to say is not meant to be as heartless as it will probably sound. I think it is really important to separate the passion for horses, the passion for jumping, the passion for excellence, from the passion for showing. I never once had the chance to show as a junior. As an adult, I showed from 0 - 3 times a year. I competed in a New England Adult Medal qualifying class, at a barely recognized show, and managed to win. I went to the Finals and placed 3rd in the Open and put in a shockingly respectable trip in the Medal. Probably, all told, I’ve competed at 20 horse shows - most of them recognized, none of them A shows. Groomed at a gazillion, one-days and aways.
And, referring to “I don’t own my own horseyet”… I didn’t own my own horse until late into my riding career - maybe 4 shows were on her - not the qualifying show or the Finals. Horse ownership is so very, very, very expensive, no matter how much you do the work yourself, etc. etc. Then add in show expenses…
You can grow up to be a trainer, and compete other people’s horses, if you end up with the skills. But I think you are barking up a tree of a lot of frustration, heartache, and disappointment in your current situation.
[QUOTE=JumpingforJesus;8307593]
Thank you ALL for the wonderful suggestions and advice! Getting sponsored was just one of the ideas I had, and I see now that there are many other far more helpful ways to get my foot in the door. I am definitely going to learn to braid!
My main problem is that I actually live about 350 miles away from my trainer (I moved a while ago). The area that I live in now has nothing in the h/j department. So I work for a western trainer in exchange for a lesson. So I have been going back to work for my h/j trainer every couple months for about a month at a time. So getting catch rides has been hard. But I’m starting to think braiding might be my ticket!
Thank you all again![/QUOTE]
If you post a general area of where you live, someone might know of someone in the h/j area that could help you. Sometimes small, private barns aren’t as heavily advertised as your bigger barns.
[QUOTE=Belmont;8308059]
If you post a general area of where you live, someone might know of someone in the h/j area that could help you. Sometimes small, private barns aren’t as heavily advertised as your bigger barns.[/QUOTE]
I have done just that on this site, plus at least five million google searches. So far, they either don’t take working students or they are too far away. But I am pretty happy with the barn that I am at. The trainer teaches western dressage, so I’ve learned a lot about flatwork:)
[QUOTE=m&m;8307854]
What I am going to say is not meant to be as heartless as it will probably sound. I think it is really important to separate the passion for horses, the passion for jumping, the passion for excellence, from the passion for showing. I never once had the chance to show as a junior. As an adult, I showed from 0 - 3 times a year. I competed in a New England Adult Medal qualifying class, at a barely recognized show, and managed to win. I went to the Finals and placed 3rd in the Open and put in a shockingly respectable trip in the Medal. Probably, all told, I’ve competed at 20 horse shows - most of them recognized, none of them A shows. Groomed at a gazillion, one-days and aways.
And, referring to “I don’t own my own horseyet”… I didn’t own my own horse until late into my riding career - maybe 4 shows were on her - not the qualifying show or the Finals. Horse ownership is so very, very, very expensive, no matter how much you do the work yourself, etc. etc. Then add in show expenses…
You can grow up to be a trainer, and compete other people’s horses, if you end up with the skills. But I think you are barking up a tree of a lot of frustration, heartache, and disappointment in your current situation.[/QUOTE]
I understand what you are saying. You are very right about showing being a privilege. Thank you for the advice.
[QUOTE=JumpingforJesus;8308077]
I have done just that on this site, plus at least five million google searches. So far, they either don’t take working students or they are too far away. But I am pretty happy with the barn that I am at. The trainer teaches western dressage, so I’ve learned a lot about flatwork:)[/QUOTE]
That’s great. Dressage and flat work is very important! I do have one question, and please don’t take this the wrong way, but how come you say your trainer is 350 miles away, but you also say in other threads you can’t drive 30 miles to an eventer or H/J barn?
Have you tried contacting Spokane Sport Horses about their pony club?
http://inlandempire.ponyclub.org/index.php/region/clubs/22-spokane-sport-horse-farm
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spokane-Pony-Club/213387135351697
http://inlandempire.ponyclub.org/
Also, another good place for you to network yourself and meet people might be at this associations show on the 20th. It looks like they will be out at Spoke Sport Horses.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clear-Round-Hunter-Jumper-Association/149212618578064
Also, I did find an even at a Deep Creek Farm coming up soon. They don’t have a website, but they are in Spokane. Looks like Spokane Sporthorse also has a horse trials coming up.
I love that you are still riding and doing western dressage stuff, unfortunately I don’t see you schooling 1.20 and doing EAP with a Western Dressage trainer. I would really try and convince your parents to take you out to a real H/J trainer or to start doing Pony Club.
PC is great for people who can’t afford a ton, because there are grants and scholarships. Not to mention its a close knit group of people that love to help each other out. It may not be EAP, but you can get your starts in the Pony Club and then move up.
You have a wonderful attitude and seem super willing. When I was a DC, we thrived on kids like you. We would find carpool and ways to get you to the barn, so please don’t count out PC.
ETA I’m not saying the Western Dressage isn’t beneficial and that you should quit. I’m just saying you should try to do something that is more towards your desired discipline along with the WD. I think all cross-training is good training, like Findeight said. I ride jumpers, but I also work for a rodeo company! Every discipline and every horse can teach you something.
Have to say, OP, I’m very impressed with the way you conduct yourself, especially given your age. That attitude will get you far!
I ride Western for 20 years before ever swinging a leg over a Hunter. You either love horses and take any saddle time offered or you sit and stew about what you don’t have or can’t do. Horsemanship is the same in any discipline, only about 10% of the details are different. Master the 90% and its not that hard a transition. Fact, back when, Lindy Patrick qualified in all three seats Medal Finals over a couple of years, Hunt, Stockseat (now called Reining) and Saddle Seat. IIRC it was over a couple of years and she won at least one, maybe two and was second in another, I think. But it proves the point more is the same then is different.
Ride what you got as much as you can. And learn to braid, band the QHs and turn out a Halter horse in the grooming side. Get good at that and you will make yourself more marketable. Me, I never learned to braid but can do the others plus shaoe and thin an Arabs mane-my parents couldn’t afford a horse for me or many lessons, I bought my own and worked it off. I went on to do pretty well, so can you.
OP, this might not be very relevant to the prestigious US H/J world, but I do have a friend who obtained sponsorship from several local businesses in order to help her show. She already has her own farm, and a few horses, so in a different situation to you. She lives just outside of a very small town, so she just asked some of the local businesses if they’d be interested. They’re not horsey businesses either, I think one of them is the local bakery (I hope she gets free donuts…). She has little patches sewn on her saddle pad, and whenever she shows she thanks them on FB/Instagram.
I doubt that what they provide her with would pay for a bag of shavings at an AA show, but they appreciate the exposure within the local community. So while you’ve received much good advice here, I thought I’d say that while sponsorship is probably not your best option, it’s not necessarily a ridiculous idea. Most people here are thinking sponsorship in terms of large corporations, but small local businesses may sometimes just appreciate some well placed exposure.
[QUOTE=Gumby80;8308357]
They’re not horsey businesses either, I think one of them is the local bakery (I hope she gets free donuts…).[/QUOTE]
The real question is does she share her donuts? 
If op is in and around Spokane Wa there are aqha breeders to be found, I’m sure at least some of whom have HUS horses, if not hunter hack and working hunter horses doing breed shows. Possibly look into working student position somewhere like that.
[QUOTE=Belmont;8308297]
I do have one question, and please don’t take this the wrong way, but how come you say your trainer is 350 miles away, but you also say in other threads you can’t drive 30 miles to an eventer or H/J barn?[/QUOTE]
My trainer is amazing and has been paying to fly me back and forth every few months so that I can ride with her. But for my week in week out riding, I can’t drive yet, and I have four siblings who are all involved with some sport or club as well, and both of my parents have two jobs, so they don’t have the time to be driving me to Timbuktu.
Lots of Working and Reined Cow folks up there too. Good ones.
i thin k what you are doing makes more sense than being determined toride in your preferred discipline. will make you a better horse person, too.
In addition to braiding perhaps you could offer video service of lessons. It would take some practice- but if you got good I could see people wanting to review rides/ lessons.
