Douglas Bunn leads fight to save Nations Cup for Britain
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Douglas Bunn, owner of Hickstead and many believe the architect of British showjumping, is spearheading a fight to keep a top level Nations Cup competition in this country.
The FEI, which governs equestrian sport worldwide, is proposing sweeping changes to the Samsung competition, one leg of which is held at Hickstead's Longines Royal International Horse Show each year. The FEI is guaranteeing a sponsor for the Nations Cup Competition, but is likely to insist that each venue provide minimum sponsorship of €300,000 (£250,000) to keep the competition.
"This is more than a fight to keep the Super League at Hickstead," said Mr Bunn. "It is a battle to keep this one inter-nation competition in this country - and to preserve the only chance British fans get to see their national team compete."
And Douglas's daughter, Lizzie, show secretary at the show ground which in 2010 will celebrate its first half century, said: "There are a number of competitions which attract international riders to this country, but the Super League is the only one which draws national teams."
The Bunn family, most of whom are involved in the sport, is rallying behind their father in what they see as a crisis for British showjumping. "Dad has done more than anyone to keep British showjumping on the international map, including spending millions of his own money on this venue" said Lizzie. "He is now 80 and it upsets us to see him so worried about both the sport and 'his Hickstead.'"
The FEI has put a very limited time scale to the re-organisation and is insisting that the new-look competition is launched next year.
Daisy Bunn, Hickstead's sponsorship director, has already been "sounding out" possible sponsors. But with many believing that the country is heading into recession and with industry cutting back on all sides, prospects do not look good.
"Even in the good times, companies budget at least a year ahead," she says.
"Even if we find someone willing to listen, sponsorship of this magnitude often takes up to a year to finalise We are desperate to find someone to help us save this historic competition.The good news is that the sport is thriving and enjoying all-time record crowds, and we can offer sponsors excellent exposure."
In the last few years, Hickstead has ploughed half-a-million pounds into updating the ground and facilities, about £100,000 of that in the last two years to improve the going in the International Arena. FEI officials this year described it as perfect and last year, one of the wettest on record, Hickstead was still able to run both the DFS Derby and the Longines Royal International Horse Show.
"The big problem is that if we lose the competition, the contract is for three years and Great Britain would not get the chance to bid for it back until at least 2012," said Lizzie.
And Daisy adds: "The event would be the natural springboard for the 2012 Olympics and probably the last big practice event before the Games.
"It would be a tragedy if, in one of the few sports that the UK has a history of winning medals, there was no warm-up competition for the national teams."
