British riders hoping for back to back Nations Cup victories

The Brits will be hoping to secure victory in the upcoming Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain, to give them a second consecutive win in this prestigious team showjumping competition.

Held on the Friday of the Agria Royal International Horse Show (23-28 July), this class sees riders compete as a quartet over two challenging rounds of jumping. The British riders will face some stiff competition, with leading showjumping nations including Ireland, Germany, France, Sweden, Italy, Brazil and the Netherlands all sending teams.

This year marks the start of new chapter for the Nations Cup of Great Britain, which was previously part of a global FEI series. Hickstead will now run their own independent Nations Cup, similar to some of the other leading venues throughout the world to run standalone Nations Cup competitions, including Falsterbo, Aachen and Spruce Meadows.

The Nations Cup of Great Britain first took place in 1929, and it has been held at Hickstead since 1971, so the Bunn Family were determined to continue its legacy. “We are really looking forward to seeing if the British team can secure a back-to-back win at Hickstead, following their fabulous victory in 2023,” said Hickstead Director Lizzie Bunn. “We are so grateful to Agria for coming on board as the title sponsor of this iconic event, securing its future.”

As well as their title sponsorship of the Nations Cup of Great Britain, Agria – the world’s oldest equine insurer – is also the new sponsor of the Falsterbo Nations Cup in Sweden, extending their support of top-level international showjumping.

“We are very proud, as the world’s oldest and UK’s only provider of lifetime equine insurance, to be supporting this long-established and historic Nations Cup,” said Vicki Wentworth, CEO of Agria UK. “It’s vital that Britain retains its Nations Cup heritage, and I’m so pleased that Agria is playing a part in that. No matter who wins, we know we will enjoy an afternoon of supreme sport.”

When last year’s team of Ben Maher (Exit Remo), Tim Gredley (Medoc De Toxandria), John Whitaker (Equine America Unick de Francport) and Harry Charles (Casquo Blue) lifted the Edward, Prince of Wales Cup last July, it was the first time the Brits had won on home turf for 13 years.

“We are so looking forward to going back to Hickstead this year to try to retain that trophy, and give everybody another memorable year,” said British chef d’equipe, Di Lampard. “This year will be very special because it’s our last competition before we go off to the Olympic Games.”

The Agria Royal International Horse Show features international showjumping along with national jumping classes from tiny cross-poles for ponies up to the five-star Grand Prix, the King George V Gold Cup. The show also features arena eventing in the Ashby Underwriting Eventers’ Challenge, hundreds of championship showing classes, and the fast and furious Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry.

Tickets for the Agria Royal International Horse Show are on sale now, with general admission prices starting from £20. Advance discounts and concessions are available, including free admission to all under-15s when booked in advance. There are also different hospitality options for those who want to make their visit to Hickstead truly special. 

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