Riders Now Required to Wear Sponsor Logos Everywhere

In an unprecedented move to maximize branding opportunities, equestrian elite competitors are now required to wear sponsor logos on every conceivable part of their bodies and the bodies of their horses.

“It's all about visibility,” said one industry insider. “If it’s on the rider’s jacket, helmet, boots, and, frankly, their elbows, why not hoof it to the next level? The helmet is definitely the place for the main sponsor or the forehead of the horse.”

Sponsors have jumped at the chance to market to the niche market of marketing, with logos already appearing on everything from hooves to mane braids and also above the eyes of the horses. One company has even pitched a "sponsorship for your horse’s tail," promising exposure for a full 360-degree view and colouring the tail in the colours of the company.

Riders are adjusting to the change, with placing as many logos as possible everywhere, while others are struggling with an unexpected problem: How do you fit a logo on a horseshoe?

“We have wasted so much advertisement space. The sponsors are thrilled since we use the horses body and the helmets of the riders for brand exposure and the money is also not bad. It offers different brands with different sizes to sponsor the horse and/or the rider.” said one very thrilled rider, while their horse looked distinctly unimpressed by the new logo on its hoof. “It takes certainly some time to have all those logos on the correct body parts, but its the sponsor who pays a lot of money. So its totally worth it.”

As for the horses? They’ve taken it all in stride, although one mare was seen giving the “sponsor” a side-eye before kicking up some dirt. Maybe she’s saving her brand loyalty for the next big hoof-care company.