Mitsubishi Motors has extended its current sponsorship deal with the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials until 2007 with a three-year deal worth £2million.
This announcement lengthens the long-standing partnership between the 4×4 specialists and the four-star three-day event to 15 years.
Jim Tyrrell, managing director of Mitsubishi Motors says: “The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials has become a very important and strategic event for us as a brand and as a distributor of 4×4 vehicles. We are very proud of how both the event and the sponsorship have evolved through the last 12 years.”
This year’s Badminton has a record first prize of £40,000, which the event organisers are keen to increase to £50,000 in the near future, ensuring the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton title remains the most sought after individual prize in the sport.
Event director Hugh Thomas says: “We are delighted that Mitsubishi is continuing with Badminton. It has been a very happy relationship, made more special because the company is based locally to us in Cirencester.”
This year’s event takes place on 29 April to 2 May and is expected to attract top event riders from around the world, keen to compete against the best in preparation for the Athens Olympics in August.
Unfortunately the British challenge will be missing eventing’s rising Royal star, Zara Phillips as her top ride, Toytown, has been sidelined with an injury. However, world number one, Pippa Funnell, and former world number one, William Fox-Pitt, are both expected to be in action alongside other members of the British Olympic eventing long-list.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit: www.badminton-horse.co.uk or contact (tel: 01454 218375).
