SPONSORSHIP
Eventing is growing rapidly; it is a lottery funded, £4 billion/ year industry and the number of competitors have increased by 45% in the last 7 years. In other words, it’s on the up! Indeed, the predicted media exposure of Badminton last year was more than 28 million TV viewers, and 1 million online, and this is expected to increase.
Not only is Eventing Britain’s number 1 equestrian discipline, but it is also the one in which Olympic team and individual medals are regularly won, and Charlotte is focussed on being part of that success in 2016.
The whole team is hugely grateful for the generous support shown by Charlotte’s sponsors – who have a large hand in the success of the yard, as well as the ease and effectiveness of its day to day running.
ARIAT: Ariat boots are completely unrivalled in terms of their comfort and durability, and I don’t think 12 hours on my feet would seem nearly so pleasurable in anything else!
The clothing range is equally fantastic – the jodhpurs are wonderfully lightweight and stretchy, and their range of jumpers and coats means I am always warm and dry.
TOP SPEC: Top Spec have supported me since I won their scholarship in 2007, and since then I am a complete convert. I am very proud of the way my horses look, and I am a firm believer that a happy horse on the inside shows it on the outside – so I am always recommending Top Spec when they are admired!
GATEHOUSE: I have been supported by Gatehouse ever since I was lucky enough to win two of their hats in 2006. I wouldn’t go cross-country in anything other than the HS1, as I know that it offers the best protection that money can buy, and the show-jumping versions are so comfortable I use them every day and barely notice I’m wearing anything.
FLAIR NASAL STRIPS: Little Beau was prone to nosebleeds, and having been on an inhaler 3 times a day before Blair CCI*** in 2006, our vet wasn’t sure he would be able to maintain that level of fitness. However, by changing his bedding and religiously using a Flair strip every time he galloped and competed, he went on to win gold at Blair the following year, and then fly around Badminton! Since then I always use Flair strips when I go cross-country – Little Beau is a testament to the huge difference they make.
DEVOUCOUX: I am lucky enough to be supported by Devoucoux – something I dreamt of ever since I visited Pippa Funnell’s yard as a JRN rider and saw her incredible collection. Not only is it all beautiful, but the saddles fit both horse and rider perfectly, so I always feel secure and in balance and my horses can move in complete freedom.
AARDVARK SAFARIS: Aardvark Safaris are a fantastic new addition to the team, and are now proud sponsors of Out of Africa. They are the company to go to if you want to escape the country – I was lucky enough to experience a riding safari in Kenya last year, which was a truly magical experience (see my Diary for details). Aardvark Safaris also organises beach holidays and safe family holidays to Africa and the Indian Ocean.
HORSEFAIR: I love Horsefair’s ‘Sore-no-more’ range, as all the products are made using natural ingredients. Arnica is renowned for its fantastic healing properties, and used in conjunction with witch-hazel and other natural extracts, I find the liniment and the cooling poultice extremely effective in both preventing leg injuries, and soothing tired legs on both a day to day basis as well as at events.
I am very lucky to have teamed up with JAMES COWPER, who are a leading firm of accountants and business advisers. They believe that what sets them apart from the others is professionalism, flexibility and above all, passion – and felt that my enterprise was a good match for them – I am honoured!
CUSHIONBED: I have recently discovered Cushionbed and am so impressed with how economical it is! It is easy to muck out and there seems to be a lot less wastage, as the muck heap is a lot smaller. Plus, the horses love it!
