Hickstead welcomes Agria to its stable of sponsors

The Directors of Hickstead are delighted to announce Agria UK as the new sponsor of several feature classes at the All England Jumping Course.

The new three-year deal sees the leading insurers take naming rights on several international showjumping classes, including the Agria Derby Trial. This class takes place on the Friday at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting (22-25 June), and acts as a qualifier for Sunday’s Al Shira’aa Derby.

Other showjumping classes at the June fixture to be sponsored by Agria Pet Insurance include the Agria Derby Two Phase and the Agria Hickstead Master’s Trophy, while at the Longines Royal International Horse Show (25-30 July) Agria will sponsor the Royal International Stakes. This World Ranking class takes place in the International Arena on Friday 28 July, shortly before the Longines FEI Nations Cup™ of Great Britain.

Showing is a huge part of Hickstead’s shows, and the new sponsorship deal will also cover the Agria Supreme Coloured Horse Ridden Championship and the Agria Supreme Hack Championship at the Derby Meeting. Agria will also be the title sponsor of Hickstead’s Ring Five throughout all its fixtures.

“We are very proud to be supporting this series of international jumping classes and showing supreme championships, to help spread word about our game-changing horse insurance at Hickstead, one of the world’s great showgrounds,” said Vicki Wentworth, who is the MD of Agria UK as well as a keen competitive rider.

“Agria’s ethos is all about supporting horses working at every level, for life, and helping them to achieve their goals with the reassurance that vet bills can be covered year after year for recurring injuries or repetitive or chronic conditions. Nothing could be more exciting than doing that at two of the greatest jumping and showing shows in the UK. We look forward to supporting Hickstead, and the riders from across the UK lucky enough to be there among the best in the world.”

One rider who is aiming to compete at Hickstead is Agria-sponsored Joe Stockdale. “I’m delighted Agria is extending its support for showjumping - and showing - at Hickstead. With their focus on lifetime cover and animal welfare, this feels an ideal fit for a family-run showground like Hickstead that hosts competitions for horses at so many levels, and across a range of disciplines. I always look forward to Hickstead.”

Lizzie Bunn, Director of Hickstead, says: “We would like to extend a warm welcome to Agria Pet Insurance. Sponsors are vital to the successful running of our showground, and we are very grateful to Agria for their support. The Hickstead team is excited to be embarking on what will hopefully be a long and successful collaboration.”

Agria is one of the world’s leading animal insurers, specialising in small animal, equine, and agricultural insurance. Founded in Sweden more than 130 years ago, Agria started underwriting policies in the UK in 2009 and is now a prominent part of the UK pet insurance sector. Last year they launched the UK’s first ever Lifetime Equine insurance. To discover more, visit their website.