Event Sponsor’s Guide
Thank you for volunteering to sponsor a clinic with Leslie Desmond: the sponsor has an essential role in the success of the clinic. Here is a short guide to bring clarity about what to do and when...
Your Role as LESLIE DESMOND Event Sponsor
Organizing your event includes:
- securing a suitable venue in coordination with Leslie
- coordinating with facility owner regarding stabling
- collecting all information needed to communicate the event clearly to the public
- promoting the event (to attract both riders and auditors)
- taking inquiries as Leslie's main point of contact for your event
- directing applicants to the registration process
- planning and preparing for the event to run smoothly on the day
Leslie recognizes the time and effort you offer as local sponsor, and will offer you a discounted spot in the clinic, in recognition of the importance of your role for the success of the clinic. Please discuss details directly with Leslie.
The time-frame indicated below is optimal for demonstrations planned far in advance. It is well understood that opportunities arise in which the time-frame available is significantly less! We still hope that this guide will provide a useful check-list to help your planning go smoothly and efficiently. Thank you!
Getting Started
Confirm dates with Leslie and hosts.
Book venue and confirm.
Collect the following information:
- Event name (from Leslie)
- Short description/abstract about the event
- Will you be accepting auditors at this event (Y/N)
- Schedule for this event (from Leslie: you may be able to copy, paste and edit dates from a similar event on the web site)
- Location (facility name and full address)
- Contact information (sponsor name, tel, email)
- Determine fees for trainers/riders/demo horses/auditors (with Leslie)
- Longer description of event (if applicable)
- List of nearby accommodation and restaurants
- Directions to the facility
Click here to submit the above information to Leslie and her Webmaster so that it can be listed on the Web site. The information must be complete to submit your event listing... and the sooner the better!
Familiarize yourself with Leslie's on-line registration process . Participants and Auditors can submit payment for their registration via the Schedule and Signup page.
Prepare a poster to promote the event
- Prepare to take inquiries about the clinic.
Leslie's clinics help students improve their relationship with their horse (and every horse they will meet) by developing their skill in working with the horse through feel. Students learn to leave out the pressure that causes brace and resistance, and connect with the horse’s mind and feet through release, with feel. Leslie teaches a state of being with horses that will cause your partnerships to thrive. It’s about feeling of the horse, so that he can feel of you, and discovering that when this reciprocal feel is working, it releases the horse to offer his very best, because he is safe and understands what you want in his own terms.
Beginning 6 Months Prior to Your Event (or sooner)
Coordinating and seeking opportunities for rider and auditor registrations:
Advertise the clinic with posters approved by Leslie, by posting at local stables and on boards found in local fuel stations, food, hardware stores, coffee shops, selected restaurants and bars, bakeries, bookstores etc. You will know where the posters will do most good in your location. Please be sure to ask permission before posting.
Call local newspapers and ask for the event to be listed in their calendar of events – some of these list events months out, some only a week, so please time the request as needed.
Seek rider and auditor registrations, by connecting with those who you believe may be interested. Please be mindful that it needs to be a person’s (unpressured) personal decision to come in order to really benefit, because working through feel requires our full presence and an open mind for best results. If someone asks if they can bring a horse that is not under saddle, please contact Leslie first. No stallions or mares with foals alongside please.
- Direct interested applicants to your clinic web page and briefly describe the registration process. Encourage auditors to pre-register on-line.
- Maintain a list of riders and auditors interested, with name, phone, email and mailing address. A spreadsheet is ideal for this.
60 Days Prior to your Event
- All trainer/rider/demo horse deposits received for planning purposes.
- If applicable, ask/remind registrants about submitting applications and questionnaires, and request and collect completed liability releases for all participants, which should be mailed to the sponsor and handed to Leslie prior to the start of the event.
- Seek two volunteers to assist on the day. Plan how to run registration desk and lunches/breaks. Prepare a Welcome notice with instructions on arrival.
7 Days Prior to your Event
- All trainer/rider/demo horse balances received.
- If applicable, ask/remind riders to pay balance due and send completed liability release to sponsor.
- Prepare labels for pre-paid riders and auditors
The Event!
- You will need two volunteers present to:
- work a modest registration desk: hand out name labels to pre-paid participants and record their arrival on registration sheet, collect and record payment from “walk-in” auditors (cash or checks made payable to Leslie Desmond) and issue name labels. Collect Liability Waivers from auditors.
- assist with logistics, such as lunches/breaks
- Please bring: Cash box with float of $5 bills, sticky labels, clear plastic sleeves to protect papers in case of rain, clip board, copy of list of participants, blank registration forms, spare copies of Liability Waivers, masking tape, duct tape, thumb tacks and waterproof pens.
Questions and Concerns
Please feel free to contact Leslie with any questions or concerns that may come up!
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