Sponsorship news in the UK horse industry

• French horsefeed brand Reverdy has signed up as title sponsor of the CIC** Brightling Park International Horse Trials.The two-day event in East Sussex, held from 14-15, regularly attracts around 400 entries from all over the world, including renowned Olympians Pippa Funnell and Sharon Hunt.Organiser Gardie Grissell, who is also the sole UK distributor, said he was thrilled to attract such a respected brand.“This is a very exciting partnership. I have worked closely with Reverdy since they launched in the UK last year.”
• This year’s Equifest Grand Prix will be sponsored by bespoke horsebox company Whittaker Coachbuilders.With a total fund of £3,500 and a £1,200 first prize, the class always draws a good crowd.Equifest takes place at the East of England Showground, Peterborough, from 15-19 August, with the Whittaker Coachbuilders Grand Prix on Saturday, 18 August.

• Britain’s first professional female jump jockey, Lucy Alexander, 21, has joined the equine insurance company Markel’s stable of sponsored jockeys.Lucy has ridden 43 winners so far in her career.She will carry the Markel name on her riding clothes and act as an ambassador for the company’s growing equine business and the Markel brand as a whole.Markel also sponsors National Hunt jockey Sam Thomas and Flat jockey, William Buick
• Speedi-Beet, from British Horse Feeds, will sponsor the Horse opf the Year Show (HOYS) Grade C British Showjumping Series and Championship for 2012.The qualifiers, taking place throughout the summer, attract a high standard of riders all hoping to secure a ticket to HOYS to compete in the Championship on 7 October.Maria Clayton of British Showjumping said: “We are extremely pleased to be announcing British Horse Feeds, via their Speedi-Beet brand, as a title sponsor of one of our most desired championships for those producing up and coming talented horses.“With its championship at HOYS in October and qualifiers that span the County Show circuit through the outdoor season, it’s a series that many producers of competition horses focus on winning.”
• Yorkshire-based food ingredient manufacturers Ripon Select Foods is to sponsor the small show hunter of the year championship on 3 October at HOYS.The class has been a feature of HOYS since 1954.Martin Wood of Ripon Select Foods, said: “We are thrilled to be sponsoring the small show hunter of the year for the first time this year and offering our support not only to the show itself, but to some of the best horses in the country.”And Julia and David Topham Barnes will sponsor the show hunter pony of the year and hack of the year classes at HOYS.It is the fourth year running that the couple have sponsored the hacks but their first sponsorship of the show hunter pony of the year class.
• Voltaire Design Saddles have recently started sponsoring event rider Kate Lukas.Over the past few months Kate has worked closely with saddle fitter Habib Treca to custom design her own saddles to suit her and her horses’ needs.Voltaire Design Saddles are a new brand, combining the best French saddle making techniques with a unique fashionable flair.
• Dengie Horse Feedshas lent its support to a team of four riders taking part in the unaffiliated three-day-event at the MK Eventing Centre, Milton Keynes, from 2 to 5 June.Essex-based Cher East, Maureen Mack and Vicky-May Northover, and Devon grandmother Sally Pidsley – who together make up Team Dengie – will each receive a Dengie jacket, saddle cloth, rug and £100 worth of feed vouchers.“We are really pleased to sponsor the team,” said Dengie marketing manager Lisa Wilson.The MK Eventing Centre three-day-event gives riders and horses of all abilities the opportunity to take part in a competition run on FEI and British Eventing guidelines, following the long format with roads, tracks, steeplechase and a professionally built cross-country course.
• Likit Products is sponsoring The Pony Club Open Eventing League.The points-based series is designed to give riders increased opportunity to compete at open level and so gain the experience and encouragement to help them go on to compete in Pony Club area competitions and its national championship.Pony Club branches whose events include an Open (1.10m) Class, are eligible to register for the League with entrants gaining points for places and double clear rounds.The horse and rider combination with the highest number of points at the end of the season will win, with places being awarded to 10th place.
• Volvo Car UK is the official car sponsor of the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials (7-10th June).Volvo’s Cross Country models will be on display during the four-day event, along with a fleet being used for VIP duties throughout.
• Mirrors For Training is now sponsoring Nottinghamshire-based para dressage rider Sophie Wells.Sophie competes in both able-bodied and para dressage competitions and is part of the World Class Performance squad.“I love my new Mirrors For Training mirrors,” says Sophie. “They are the best training aid next having a trainer every day.“The visual feedback you get really helps in my training, and is definitely a tool that I couldn’t be without in the biggest year of my life so far.”
• The London borough of Richmond’s new mayor, Councillor Rita Palmer has chosen the Horse Rangers Association as one of her charities for the year.She said: “The Horse Rangers Association teaches young people horsemanship and how to care for horses and ponies. They have a specific focus on working with children with special needs.”The Horse Rangers Association (Hampton Court) is a charity which supports the personal development of children and young people, regardless of background or ability, by teaching them to ride and look after horses.More than 400 members attend each week, including those with special needs.
• Equine law firm Shaw and Co Solicitors is supporting a series of competiotns, celebrating the Cleveland Bay.The Cleveland Bay is one of the oldest native horses in the UK but declined almost to the point of extinction until the Queen inspired its renaissance, largely due to a breeding encouraged by her in the 1960s.A prestigious series of events between now and the end of August will see owners from around the country competing and showing their Cleveland Bays.Cash prizes, along with rosettes and sashes, are being provided by Shaw & CoThe first event was the King George V at Riseholm Park, Lincoln, on 6 May.The next event is the Suffolk Show on June 7 and 8, in a programme featuring venues from North Yorkshire to Dorset, and which includes the Great Yorkshire Show.Shaw and Co is sponsoring the prizes for best turned out Cleveland Bay at each of the shows.

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