NATIONS CUP TO STAY AT HICKSTEAD

Great Britain is to keep it's place in the top level Nations Cup showjumping series next year - and it will be at Hickstead's Longines Royal International Horse Show.

A jubilant Daisy Bunn, Hickstead's sponsorship director, says: "We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the eight international venues to host the most prestigious Nations Cup competition in the world.

"This year the FEI were very pleased with the improvements to the facility, and have said that the new groundworks and stabling have cemented our place as one of the best equestrian venues in the world."

It was Hickstead owner Douglas Bunn who spearheaded the UK's fight to keep the series in this country and who, over the last three years, has given the go-ahead to spend nearly half a million pounds on improvements at the Sussex showground.

Now the search is being stepped up for the sponsorship. The FEI is demanding that the host show must stage a Grand prix class with minimum prize money of E300,000 (£240,000).

"We hope that a commercial sponsor will cover a proportion of that prize money," said Daisy. "The rest we hope to raise through a private syndicate investment fund and already we have had interest from several individuals."

The syndicate membership is likely to involve shares costing £10,000, which in turn would entitle holders to exclusive benefits which include a high profile lunch in the president's box at the Longines Royal International Horse Show on Nations Cup day, life membership of Hickstead for two, the right to use the International Riders Lounge and an acknowledgement in full-page advertising in the show programme and in other equestrian publications.

"Every penny of the syndicate's sponsorship money will go as prize money to the riders," said Daisy. "Not only will this give individuals a role in saving a great competition for this country, it will also involve them in
raising the sport's profile and putting it on a level with other national sports. 

25.09.08