Badminton Horse Trials (3 – 6 May 2007) is to be sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors for another three years. Over the last 18 years Badminton and Mitsubishi have become synonymous with one another, and the relationship, which began in 1992, is one of the longest in sport sponsorship.
Mitsubishi is to invest a further £2 million in the event from 2008 – 2010. “This has always been a happy sponsorship relationship. Mitsubishi is an international brand and so is Badminton,” said Badminton director Hugh Thomas. “We look forward to another three years of a great partnership of commerce and sport.”
Badminton Horse Trials, held in the Duke of Beaufort’s Gloucestershire estate, is one of the most prestigious occasions on the eventing calendar and attracts thousands of visitors. This year the cross-country course will follow tradition and set off round the park the opposite way to last year from the main arena. Thanks to a raised prize pot of £250,000 from Mitsubishi Motors, the winner will take home £55,000.
Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, President of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), has accepted an invitation to present the prizes on the final day (Sunday 6 May).
“Badminton Horse Trials is Mitsubishi’s single biggest sponsorship and has become an integral part of Mitsubishi’s brand and marketing activities,” said Jim Tyrrell, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors. “2007 is a very important year for the company as we are launching two new 4×4’s, the new Outlander and Shogun, and Badminton provides the perfect backdrop to engage with our core customers.”
Badminton annual designated charity for 2007 will be The Spinal Injuries Association, who will have a named cross-country obstacle in their honour and collection points around the ground.
The box office is now open for booking (tel: 0870 2423436) or email: boxoffice@badminton-horse.co.uk
