- Saddlery company Bliss of London has become an official corporate sponsor of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (26-29 April)”Kentucky is a very prestigious competition – one of only six CCI**** events in the world – and a great way to showcase our latest range of bespoke saddles to the wider equestrian market, ” said Bliss of London managing director Nikki Newcombe.
“It is also a great opportunity to network with our associate saddle fitters in The States and attend saddle fitting appointments with our customers in Lexington.”
- The John Lewis Partnership is backing the British Equestrian Federation’s (BEF) Hoof Olympic Legacy programme “Take Back the Reins” – which encourages lapsed and new riders to get into the saddle.The company is offering a series of free workshops, designed to increase the quality of customer care, to staff of riding centres participating in the Take Back the Reins scheme.
The first of five workshops took place at the British Horse Society offices at Stoneleigh Deer Park earlier this month.
- Victory Shavings will be the title sponsor for the British Showjumping Scope Festival 2012 (26 August – 1 September).Around 2,500 horses and ponies are expected at Staffordshire County Showground for the show.
Victory Shavings will produce its high quality pine shavings in-situ using 100% natural pine and load the bedding straight into the temporary stables.
- Equestrian directory the UK Horse Rider Guide has chosen HorseWorld as its charity of the year for 2012/13.As the official charity of the year HorseWorld will benefit from all fundraising activity run by the website.
This includes Apple April, where an apple will be donated to the charity for every review submitted to the website and a percentage of revenue will also be donated.
HorseWorld, based in Bristol, rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes up to 100 abandoned, neglected and mistreated horses from across the country every year.
- The Irish Field will be the title sponsor of the dressage competitions at The Association of Irish Riding Clubs’ festival (9-10 June).The two-day show is one of Ireland’s biggest amateur equestrian events with more than 70 dressage, showjumping and showing classes.
Almost 20 of these take place in up to 12 dressage arenas at Stradbally Hall Estate in Stradbally, Co Laois.
The Irish Field managing editor Leo Powell said: “I am a big fan of the Association of Irish Riding Clubs and the opportunity to support their wonderful Festival was too good to miss. The enjoyment, camaraderie and fun that the members obtain from being members of the AIRC is matched only in intensity by the love these members have for their horses.”
- Four-star eventer and H&H blogger Lauren Shannon has a new sponsor – New Equine Wear (NEW) – and it’s all thanks to Twitter.Leicestershire-based Lauren asked people for their boot recommendations owing to an issue she was having with her current cross country boots.
NEW’s X-Country Airoflow Boots were suggested and Lauren got in touch.
After chatting to Lauren NEW decided to offer her sponsorship.
“I love all the boots,” said Lauren. “I have a couple of horses with very sensitive legs but the X-Country Airoflow Boots never rub them.”
- Equilibrium Products is now sponsoring New Zealand event rider and Olympic hopeful Jonathan Paget.28-year-old “Jock” has qualified two horses for London 2012 – Clifton Promise and Clifton Lush – and a third – Bulletproof – is on the long list.
That’s pretty amazing as he was originally a bricklayer and didn’t start riding until he was 18.
Laura Cutter of Equilibrium Products said: “Jonathan has achieved what he has to date through hard work, dedication to his sport and the care and attention he gives to his horses.
“We are delighted to be able to support Jonathan and his team and wish him the best of luck for the coming season.”
- Young Leicestershire eventer “Beatle” Payne has been awarded SportsAid funding following a nomination by British Eventing and the British Equestrian Federation.The undisclosed training award includes mentoring and support to 15-year-old Beatle over the next twelve months.
Beatle said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to really enhance my training and development this season which without the award I wouldn’t have been able to do.
She already has sponsorship from several equestrian companies including Airoware, Coolhorsesocks, Evison Equine and Likit.
SportsAid is a charity that financially supports young talented sports people to help them to achieve sporting success.
- Warwickshire-based feed company, Chestnut Horse Feeds has added international showjumper Geoff Billington to its team of sponsored riders.”We are very excited to be working with Geoff,” said Bill Woolliscroft of Chestnut Horse Feeds.
“This is the first time we have supported a rider at such a high calibre and we are very pleased that he has chosen to feed his horses our products.”
Sponsorship news in the UK horse industry
