It is nearly impossible for an equestrian of Jan's caliber to finance the care, training and competing of their performance horses without help. There just aren't enough hours in the day to earn all the funds necessary to campaign an elite event horse, let alone several horses. The Sponsors and Owners who support Surefire Eventing are a huge and greatly appreciated part of the Surefire Event Team.

Surefire Sponsors

Surefire Owners

J.C. "Chips" Chester J.C. Chester currently owns Syd Kent and Why Not. He is also the past owner of Task Force.

Dick and Jo Byyny Jan's parents. They own Waterfront along with Jan.

Sponsorship Opportunities

As an elite competitor, Jan's intent is to represent the United States at the 2010 World Equestrian Championships in Lexington, Kentucky and the 2012 Olympics in London. This is her strategy for achieving these goals:

Identify and develop a string of international-caliber horses. Along with veteran campaigner Waterfront, Jan has up-and-coming star Syd Kent, who moved to the four-star level at the 2009 Rolex Kentucky event, and the extremely competitive Inmidair, who moved to Advanced in the summer of 2009. In addition, young prospects Walstraed and Why Not are competing very successfully at the Preliminary level.

Take advantage of training and competing opportunities in order to develop the mental and physical toughness required at the sport's pinnacle. An amazingly consistent world-class competitor, Jan is constantly testing herself against the best riders in the U.S. and overseas. In addition, she has been selected to participate in the United States Equestrian Team's winter training sessions for the last five years, and participated once again in 2010 with Waterfront and Inmidair.

Cultivate a support system. The Surefire Event Team is critical to Jan's success. She enjoys the strong support of her owners, and is thankful for crucial help from her loyal corporate sponsors. Jan's staff at home and away at shows is indispensable, as are the vets, physical therapists, farriers and others who keep the horses healthy and sound.

Raise the funds necessary to qualify for teams representing the United States in international competition. While the U.S Equestrian Team (USET) funds rider and horse expenses directly related to team competitions, riders must finance all their expenses incurred in qualifying for teams. It takes a significant amount of money to care for and compete a horse at the Advanced level, approximately $35,000 per year, and even more if travel abroad is involved. Expenses include the horses' care and feeding, and coaching, competition and travel fees. Even with her non-stop schedule of training, teaching and buying and selling horses, Jan is not able to generate all the money necessary to campaign her horses and needs your help.

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Sponsor Costs and Benefits

Individuals and businesses choose to sponsor equestrians for many reasons, but no discipline can compete with the sheer athleticism, bravery and heart of Event horses and their riders. A desire to be associated with this growing participant and spectator sport, and an appreciation of the incredible feats these horses and riders accomplish, prompts businesses and individuals to make sponsorship investments.

Sponsorship arrangements vary and include everything from partial or full ownership of a horse, to funding for specific competitions, to monetary donations of any amount in support of the competition horses. Businesses donating goods or services, or making cash donations to the Surefire Eventing, are rewarded with excellent exposure for their business or product through association with one of the highest-profile Eventers competing today.

Depending on your level of sponsorship, Surefire Eventing can offer:

Individual Donors

• Free course walks.
• Discounted clinics, private lessons or training for your horse.
• Behind-the-scenes access and hospitality at events, competition updates, news and photos.
• The opportunity to partially or wholly own a competition horse.
• The chance to be personally involved in the sport of Eventing while supporting a U.S. team member.

Corporate Sponsors

• Jan's participation in signings, advertisements, promotional events, trade shows, seminars and course walks.
• Product endorsement and publicity-saddle pads, banners, trailer logo and web site link.
• Exposure to a highly affluent, upscale audience involved in a growing sport.
• Positive association with one of the most successful riders and string of horses competing today.
• Partnership with an extremely motivated, attractive, intelligent and personable athlete.
• Economical and effective per impression value for your marketing dollars.

How to Become a Sponsor

American Horse Trials Tax-Deductible Contribution

Because she is a bona-fide international-level competitor, Jan is eligible for grants from the American Horse Trials Foundation (AHTF). Since its inception in 1987, the AHTF has distributed over $13 million directly to Eventers for competitive activities. Only 7% of each contribution is deducted for administrative expenses; all of the remainder goes toward training and competition grants.

The AHTF has been granted tax-exempt status under section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions are deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. For more information about the AHTF, visit their web site at www.ahtf3day.org. Checks should be made payable to the American Horse Trials Foundation and mailed to Jan at the following address: 20490 St. Louis Road, Purcellville, VA 20132. Checks will be forwarded to the AHTF.

Private Contribution

Monetary contributions in any amount made directly to Jan are essential to pay for coaching, travel expenses, entry fees, horse care, and equipment. 100% of your donation will go directly to the competition horses. Checks should be made to Surefire Eventing and mailed to the following address: 20490 St. Louis Road, Purcellville, VA 20132.

Donations of Goods and Services

Unlike most sports, which only involve a human athlete, equipping horse and rider for upper-level Eventing competition is an on-going proposition. Opportunities exist for select products to be promoted by Jan and the Surefire Team in exchange for product. Please contact Jan with your ideas.