A Royal success at Hickstead

Now that we have had some time to catch up after our second event at Hickstead for 2024, we wanted to share some highlights from our first year as title sponsors!

Previously the Longines International Horse Show, we were excited to take over title sponsorship of the entire show this year, as well as two of the most high-profile classes - the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain, and the Agria King George V Gold Cup. 

These historic classes are of great significance to the equine world, and the Royal International. Stepping in to sponsor the Nations Cup actually meant that Agria saved this event, as it would not have been able to go ahead without our support.

Our lovely newly-branded stand has been at Hickstead since the Hickstead Derby in June, and it was great to return and open it up for the Agria Royal International Horse Show. 

The British team won the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain on home soil – an extremely popular win. We received a huge amount of positive feedback for enabling this class to continue. Vicki Wentworth presented the prizes - and many of the team members commented on how this was the best year yet.

A massive thank you and well done to our very own Charlotte Colley who (among many other things) helped to design and organise the lovely new Agria jump (above) as the centrepiece of the event. 

The King George V World Cup is an historic class that has taken place for over 100 years. It also has the most incredible solid gold trophy, which was actually buried in a garden for safe-keeping during the war, and comes complete with its own security guard. Our very own Janet Hughes, helped by Martin Clunes, presented this one.

We celebrated Human/Animal Bond Day with some delicious cupcakes, carried out an Anton-themed treasure hunt and met with key partners and contacts in hospitality, including two great partners - the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals and Lunar Eclipse's minature horses.

It was without doubt, a huge success for Agria. To think only this time two years ago, our equine product hadn't launched, and here we are as title sponsors of one of the most significant events and classes on the equine calendar.  We're now such a firm fixture at Hickstead that we have regular visits from existing equine and canine policyholders, as well as those keen to take out policies.