Badminton Horse Trials
The full list of sponsors for this year’s four-star (4-8 May) has been revealed. Mitsubishi Motors remains the title sponsor — a position it has held for 25 years.
Rolex is acting as the official timepiece and the FEI is supporting the event through its FEI Classics series, which brings together the six CCI4*s across the world.
The cross-country fence sponsors include: HorseQuest, Irish Horse Gateway, Swindon Designer Outlet, Gatehouse, Rodney Powell, KBIS, Savills, Alexanders Horseboxes, Jack Wills and Devoucoux Saddles.
The Mark Todd Collection is sponsoring the four big screens; Horseware Ireland again supports Radio Badminton; NFU Mutual has the members’ enclosure and Harry Hall the buggy shuttle for competitors, owners and grooms.
Oscar Pet Foods, Spillers, Bedmax, Wadworth, Fairfax Saddles, Chatham Shoes, Crown Pavilions, the Worshipful Company of Farriers and Beufort Embryo Transfer complete the sponsor line-up.
Equi-Trek
Equi-Trek is the title sponsor for this year’s Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair in Scotland (25-28 August).
The horsebox and trailer manufacturer has supported the event, organised by Atholl Estates, for a number of years.
“Blair is a fantastic event in a breathtaking setting that we and our dealerships across Scotland love attending each year.” said Equi-Trek’s Tom Janion.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be supporting it in the capacity of title sponsors”.
Très Health
Showjumper Jay Halim has been announced as the “face of” health and fitness centre Très Health.
The business is aimed at equestrians working or living in London and the home counties.
“Jay is passionate about fitness and appreciates the importance in training himself both physically and mentally, so is the perfect ambassador for us,” said the company’s Rob Harkavy.
Jay added: “Being riding fit is so important, not just at top level but even at the most basic level, it helps you avoid injuries and enjoy the time you do have, riding and being effective as a rider.”
Cazenove Capital Management
The wealth management service provider is sponsoring the CIC2* at Floors Castle International Horse Trials (12-15 May).
The company is which is also a leading charity fund manager in the UK.
Spokesman Peter Hillier said the company is “particularly pleased” to sponsor the premier class of the event.
“We feel proud to be linked with the CIC2* world-renowned international course builder and five-time Olympian Ian Stark, who represents high standards, drive, judgement, determination, the will to succeed and attention to detail,” he added. “These are values we clearly identify with at Cazenove Capital Management.”
The prize pot for international classes at the Scottish event is £6,750.
Reem Acra
The fashion designer has extended her partnership with the FEI World Cup Dressage Western European league and series final for a further three years.
She signed an initial three-year contract in 2010 and the new agreement extends her sponsorship term to a total of nine years.
The official signing ceremony took place backstage at her autumn 2016 ready-to-wear runway show during New York Fashion Week in February.
“It was fascinating to see Reem Acra in her own creative environment behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week,” said FEI President Ingmar de Vos.
“The focus on perfection is in many ways very similar to the work that our athletes go through behind the scenes to prepare for a winning dressage test.”
Randox Health
The global healthcare provider has become the headline partner of the Grand National Festival at Aintree.
The company has signed a five-year deal with the racecourse and it will take over sponsorship from the 2017 festival.
Crabbie’s, title partner of the 2016 Grand National Festival (7-9 April), will move to sponsor the Grade One Top Novice’s Hurdle from next year.
Randox Health has also been revealed as the official healthcare partner of The Jockey Club.
“We aim to use our partnership to promote a positive lifestyle and to bring enjoyment to millions of people,” said Randox Health’s founder Dr Peter FitzGerald. “We care about people’s health and this is the people’s race.”
Huntswood
Jamie Snowden Racing has signed a sponsorship deal with customer service and consulting company Huntswood.
The company was founded by racehorse owner David Brownlow.
“I am delighted that Huntswood is our new yard sponsor,” Jamie said.
“I have known David as an owner for several years, he has been very supportive and is passionate about racing.
“I hope to share some notable successes over the forthcoming seasons.”
Saracen Horse Feeds
Swedish showjumper Peder Fredricson has joined the feed company’s team of brand ambassadors.
Based in Sweden, Peder began his equestrian career as an eventer and won two gold medals at junior European level.
He competed as an eventer in the 1992 Olympics, before switching to showjumping in 2000 and riding at both the 2004 and 2008 Games.
“We are very pleased to welcome a European rider of Peder’s calibre to our team, this is real testament to the Saracen Horse Feed brand and how we are supporting riders globally,” said Saracen’s Michael Bacon.
Spanish Boot Company
Georgie Spence is the first sponsored rider for the British brand, whose range of fashion and riding boots is made in Spain.
As part of the deal, she will wear the company’s boots for training, in trot-ups and out and about.
“We were looking for a rider who embodied the brand and Georgie represents everything we were looking for in an associated rider,” said the company’s Emma Snailham.
“She is at the top of her profession and obviously a talented rider but she also loves fashion and is stylish in every essence of the word.”
Berney Bros
The saddlery business is taking over the sponsorship of the pony CCI* at Tattersalls International Horse Trials and Country Fair (1-5 June).
Amber Byrne, Tattersalls’ event coordinator, said: “Berneys have a strong tradition within the equestrian world and we feel are a fantastic fit for this class.”
Tom Berney, of Berney Bros, said the company is glad to support the “stars of the future”.
HorseHage
The company is continuing the sport for the British Showjumping National Championships and Stoneleigh Horse Show as official forage supplier.
The shows take place at Stoneleigh, Warks, on 9-14 August.
Chris Tar, of HorseHage, said: “We are very happy to be able to continue our support at these important championships and hope it offers an opportunity for more horses and ponies to benefit from HorseHage’s dust-free properties.”
Black Country Saddles
Young horse producer Gary Foggon and international eventer Ian Wills are being sponsored by Black Country Saddles for the 2016 season.
“Having met the Black Country Saddles team, I have recently been involved in new saddle designs, coming up with ideas and providing feedback on latest developments and innovations,” said Gary.
“The saddles are just fantastic and as soon as you sit in one they are so comfortable, the leather is soft and supple from day one.”
Ian added he is “really excited” to join the Black Country Saddles team and is aiming for Tokyo 2020.
Connolly’s Red Mills
Eventing Ireland has revealed the animal feed and nutrition company will continue to sponsor its SuperLeague in 2016.
This makes it the seventh successive year Connolly’s Red Mills has supported the intermediate class.
The league is made up of seven legs with the final at Tattersalls (12-14 August).
Eventing Ireland’s David O’Meara said: “It is fantastic to have Connolly’s Red Mills on board again this year and we look forward to our top combinations competing in these classes, particularly on the build up to the Olympics.”
ArcEquine
Olympic dressage rider and trainer Richard Davison has joined ArcEquine’s group of “rider advocates”.
The microcurrent technology treatment company is used by a number of leading riders, including Lucinda Fredericks and Vittoria Pannizon.
ArcEquine’s Ian Thirkell said: “The feedback we receive daily and the phenomenal results that people are seeing when treating injuries with ArcEquine — including those horses previously given a very poor prognosis — is increasing the amount of data we have on the huge potential of microcurrent technology to enhance healing and recovery in even the most severely injured horses.”
