‘Fabulous alternative’ as main deal secures way forward for Britain’s Nations Cup

The affirmation of a brand new title sponsor for the Royal Worldwide Horse Present and the Nations Cup of Nice Britain has been welcomed as a “fabulous alternative”.

Equine insurer Agria and Hickstead have signed a deal extending their partnership from this yr, when Agria sponsored ring 5 and worldwide lessons, to turn into the general sponsor of the assembly (23-28 July), and its featured competitors.

H&H reported in the summertime that Hickstead, and Britain, had not been included within the FEI’s relaunched Longines League of Nations. This deal implies that for the fiftieth time, a British workforce will compete in opposition to different nations within the historic Nations Cup on the West Sussex showground, with a €200,000 prize fund.

“We’re enormously grateful to Agria for growing their assist of Hickstead,” mentioned Hickstead director Lizzie Bunn. “Their contribution in direction of safeguarding the way forward for equestrian sport on this nation can’t be underestimated. It is necessary for us to companion with sponsors who share our values, significantly in respect of horse welfare in prime class sport.

“The previous few months have been a interval of nice change, but it surely additionally presents a wonderful new alternative for us. Agria approaching board as sponsor of the Nations Cup means we are able to now assure this vastly fashionable and iconic class will stay at Hickstead. It offers us way more freedom and adaptability, permitting us to take the category within the route we and our worldwide riders need, following the instance of different unbelievable impartial Nations Cups in venues resembling Spruce Meadows and Aachen.”

Agria UK CEO Vicki Wentworth added: “Agria is thrilled to turn into title sponsor of this historic present as we proceed to unfold the phrase about our game-changing lifetime insurance coverage which has already made such an affect in Britain. Agria’s roots are in Sweden, a nation which is mad about showjumping, and it’s thrilling to be so extremely concerned with the game in Britain now too.”

British chef d’equipe Di Lampard welcomed the information as “unbelievable”, including that it is rather essential for British showjumping to have a house Nations Cup.

Ben Maher, who was on the British workforce that received the house leg this yr, added: “The Nations Cup is an important competitors, and rising up it was a type of lessons that I at all times dreamt of having the ability to participate in. There’s quite a lot of historical past surrounding the Royal Worldwide and the Nations Cup as a complete, so for Agria to have the ability to step in and safe the way forward for this occasion is nice information for Hickstead, showjumping, and us as a rustic.”

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Obsessed with equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all points of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, wherein she competes her personal horses, and he or she additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits via to worldwide championships.