Barbury Castle Horse Trials (6-8 July) has lost the support of DaimlerChrysler, whose Maybach brand was title sponsor of the event’s CIC*** in 2005 and 2006. Another of the company’s brands, Mercedes-Benz, supported the novice classes last year.
Barbury chairman and owner Nigel Bunter said: “We are grateful to Maybach for its sponsorship in our first two years and are in discussion with other companies to fill its slot.”
This year Barbury runs on the same weekend as a new CIC*** team and individual competition at Aachen in Germany. This is the first time that eventing has been included in Aachen’s World Equestrian Festival (CHIO). Mercedes-Benz is listed as a sponsor on Aachen’s website.
The FEI’s decision to allocate two high profile events the same date has lead to some debate surrounding the planning of international events. However the FEI told H&H Online’s sister magazine Eventing: “Because neither event is a major championship, its date is not protected. With up to 2,000 events a year we cannot guarantee that clashes will not occur.”
