12 March 2004

SsangYong, specialist in luxury and performance four-wheel drive vehicles, has signed a three-year contract, negotiated through Revolution Sports Marketing, for title sponsorship of the prestigious Chatsworth International Horse Trials, the first European leg of the 2004 World Cup CIC Series.

The Chatsworth SsangYong International Horse Trials heralds an exciting first foray into International Eventing for the Korean car company, with the deal representing a significant six-figure sum to support the event up to and including 2006.

Lord Hartington, President of the Horse Trials, said: “Revolution Sports Marketing was given a brief to provide consultancy and to seek a title sponsor for the 2004 Horse Trials. The strategy it developed was extremely sound with approaches made to a significant number of prospective sponsors, a good number of which expressed an interest in the event and visited Chatsworth.

“Early indications show that of these companies several are likely to become involved at Chatsworth or in the sport of Eventing and the brief has been fully met with the agency securing a title sponsor, for an initial three-year term.”

SsangYong Motor Company can trace its origins back to 1954 when it was the first to manufacture vehicles in Korea.  As specialist producers of 4×4 vehicles, they are currently the top seller in their home market and export vehicles to most countries in the European Union.  SsangYong will be providing a fleet of their latest vehicles for use by officials and support staff at the International Horse Trials.

“The arrival of SsangYong is very good news for us,” commented Event Director Mike Etherington-Smith. “It’s exciting to welcome a completely new name into the sport following the excellent work undertaken by Revolution Sports Marketing. SsangYong’s sponsorship will help us with our continuing plans to further enhance and develop the event.”

Revolution Sports Marketing Group: +44 (0)1903 883747
merrick@revolutionsports.co.uk