Europe’s leading specialist provider of pet insurance and The Irish Kennel Club (IKC) are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership aimed at promoting the development of healthy dogs and combating diseases and hereditary defects in collaboration with veterinary authorities and other experts Agria will offer insurance solutions focused on dog well-being to IKC members This ensures that members’ dogs receive the best possible veterinary care They will also collaborate to create initiatives that support the overall well-being of pets ‘Our goal is to promote initiatives that support the health and well-being of dogs while also providing peace of mind for their owners By combining our expertise in pet insurance and research with the IKC’s established membership network and strong commitment to canine welfare we can provide breeders and dog owners with valuable support regarding pet health issues.’ said Bernard O'Sullivan "We are thrilled to partner with Agria This collaboration underscores our shared dedication to enhancing the quality of life for dogs in Ireland we will explore innovative methods to promote responsible breeding and pet ownership This innovative partnership establishes a new benchmark in pet welfare by combining the strengths of two leaders in the field This collaborative effort will enhance the value for dog owners and breeders creating a community dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of dogs the world's oldest specialist pet insurer has been helping pets through illness and injury since 1890 and operates in Ireland as Agria Petinsure With a reputation for reliability and customer-focused services Agria Petinsure continues to innovate and deliver insurance solutions that meet the evolving needs of pets and pet owners The Irish Kennel Club is the key authority on pedigree dogs for both breeders and buyers and is committed to promoting responsible ownership and breeding of dogs throughout Ireland the IKC works tirelessly to empower dog owners and enhance the well-being of dogs across Ireland Helping you make the most out of your money Agria is the world’s first pet insurer and since establishing it has helped millions of owners stay protected from expensive veterinary fees.   The cost of treating your pet can be unexpected and costly.  removing the abscess from a dog’s spinal cord costs over £11,400 while cancer in the stomach can be around £7,700 to treat.  These costs are based on real-life claims the insurer has paid out last year and even regular check-ups come at a price estimated that the average cost of a check-up can cost around £400.  and there isn’t much assistance for free.  Get insured with Agria Taking out pet insurance is one way to stay protected from sudden trips to the vet.  it’s important to look for a provider with a decent level of cover and a good track record with its customers.  it offers a cover limit of up to £20,000 – which is one of the most generous across the market.  As for its relationship with its customers Agria pays out 98*% of claims and has a Trust Pilot score of 4.7 stars out of five Best Buy 2025 and a Telegraph ‘best pet insurance overall’ 2024** choosing Agria comes with additional benefits.  Other insurers require you to renew your policy regularly a history of previous claims or diagnosed illnesses could push up the price of your premiums.  With Agria this isn’t a concern.  As long as you keep up with your repayments your cover is set for your pet’s life You can expect yearly increases in line with inflation but a previous claims history won’t have an impact on your future payments.  Agria also offers more niche levels of cover for horses and rabbits.   are considered and given special coverage.  Find the right pet insurance with Agria and animal welfare is a pillar of the company.  it’s donated over £2 million to support charities and organisations across the UK – so that animals from all walks of life can live a healthy life.  Agria has become the first pet insurer in the UK to be carbon positive – meaning it captures or removes more carbon dioxide than it emits.  its initiatives have extended past UK borders by  planting more than 1,000 trees and helping preserve an environmentally critical area of the Amazon.  Find out more about Agria’s pet insurance *98% of claims paid based on all Agria Pet Insurance claims received between November 2023 and May 2024 Best Buy status correct at time of writing. Named Best Overall Pet Insurance in the Daily Telegraph Some of the products promoted are from our affiliate partners from whom we receive compensation While we aim to feature some of the best products available we cannot review every product on the market but what happens to your pet if you get divorced The UK has an estimated population of 11 million dogs but deciding who keeps the family pet when a […] More and more Brits now own a cat or dog in the UK after millions were bought during successive Covid lockdowns Here we explain what you need to know if you are considering buying a cat according to the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) The thought of buying a dog conjures up images of walks in the local park snuggles on the sofa and lifelong friendship with a furry confidante Yet you should never enter into the decision lightly Here we explain what you need to know before buying your new best friend Dog ownership boomed during the pandemic […] Your information will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy. you’ll receive the first one within the next week Times Money Mentor has been created in conjunction by The Times and The Sunday Times with the aim of empowering our readers to make better financial decisions for themselves We do this by giving you tools and information you need to understand the options available any personal recommendations on any matter Where we give providers or products a customer experience rating or a product rating these are compiled against an objective criteria using information which has been collected by our partners Defaqto purchase a product from a regulated provider with whom we have a commercial relationship This will help us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism News Financial Services Limited (Company Number 05891402) registered office 1 London Bridge Street Two firms in the insurance industry have announced big name moves to bolster their leadership Agria Pet Insurance has appointed Christina Almtun as its new head of European operations Almtun will lead the company's existing markets in Sweden with a mandate to explore further European expansion "We are pleased to welcome Christina to Agria as part of our continued growth journey," said David Haak Almtun brings extensive industry experience most recently serving as commercial head at Svedea for 13 years and holding multiple leadership positions at If focusing on business development and strategic integration Tokio Marine HCC International (TMHCCI) has strengthened its marine insurance capabilities with the appointment of cargo expert Rebecca Eagles as senior underwriter for its marine cargo division in London Eagles joins TMHCCI with over a decade of industry experience, most recently at Miller Insurance Services, where she served as a senior broker in the cargo and stock throughput division. Her career trajectory includes progressive roles at Gallagher and Ramon International Insurance Brokers "Rebecca's extensive experience in the marine cargo market makes her an invaluable addition to our team," said Richard Golder "We take pride in only hiring the best and brightest from across the industry." What leadership trends do you see emerging in the insurance industry and is projected to reach USD 8.06 billion by 2029 The European pet insurance market report consists of exclusive data on 23 vendors The market is shaped by key players such as Trupanion which holds a strong market presence with a broad range of policies covering accidents helping it maintain a significant foothold Agria Pet Insurance faces strong competition from players like Petplan yet it differentiates itself through integrated pet care packages and longstanding market expertise Customizable Insurance PlansIn the European pet insurance market customizable insurance plans are increasingly gaining traction as owners seek coverage tailored to their pet's specific needs and budgets many insurers now allow customers to choose the level of coverage that fits their requirements This flexibility helps ensure that customers are not overpaying for services they don't need and are adequately covered for the risks they are most concerned about This allows them to control their premiums while ensuring coverage for serious conditions like cancer or chronic illnesses companies such as Agria Pet Insurance provide similar customizable options ensuring that policies can fit the unique needs of different customers These flexible offerings have made pet insurance more accessible and appealing leading to greater regional adoption rates.Rising Digital Insurance SolutionsDigital solutions have become integral to the European pet insurance market landscape with companies increasingly adopting technology to streamline processes Digital-first companies like Getsafe have disrupted the traditional insurance model by providing easy-to-understand online platforms that enable policyholders to manage their plans and communicate with customer service seamlessly through apps or websites offers a fully digital platform where customers can sign up for policies and track their coverage - all from a mobile app This app-based model significantly reduces paperwork making it more convenient for tech-savvy customers Getsafe uses AI-driven technology to process claims faster and more efficiently ensuring pet owners receive prompt reimbursements These digital platforms also allow for better data management helping insurers refine their products and services based on customer behavior and preferences.Expansion of Insurance ProvidersThe expansion of pet insurance providers across Europe has significantly contributed to the market's growth Competition intensifies as more companies enter the market leading to better offerings and more affordable premiums for pet owners Established insurance companies diversify their portfolios to include pet insurance while newer digital-first insurers leverage technology to offer innovative products that appeal to modern consumers companies like MetLife have expanded their product lines to offer pet insurance as part of their broader insurance services newer companies like Agria Pet Insurance have introduced fully digital pet insurance models making it easier for pet owners to sign up This increased competition has resulted in a wider range of options allowing pet owners to choose policies tailored to their specific needs The ongoing expansion of insurance providers is expected to drive further growth in the European pet insurance market.INDUSTRY RESTRAINTS High Premium CostsAnother challenge hindering the growth of the European pet insurance market is the high cost of premiums As veterinary costs rise and more advanced treatments become available making it difficult for many to afford quality insurance plans For older pets or breeds prone to medical issues premiums can become prohibitively expensive deterring owners from purchasing insurance insurers like Direct Line and Petplan often offer tiered plans but even the most basic policies can be expensive for certain pet breeds or older animals Premiums tend to increase annually as pets age further adding to the financial burden on pet owners especially among pet owners with limited disposable income remains a substantial barrier to the widespread adoption of pet insurance in Europe.SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS INSIGHTS BY INSURANCE TYPEThe Europe pet insurance market by insurance type is segmented into accident & illness and accident only The accident & illness segment dominates & has the largest market share The rising costs of veterinary treatments are a key factor fueling this segment's growth As advanced pet care becomes more expensive pet owners increasingly opt for accident and illness insurance to mitigate potential financial burdens there is growing awareness among pet owners about the benefits of comprehensive pet insurance which covers a broad range of health issues The rising number of companion animals in Europe further boosts the demand for accident and illness insurance the need for reliable insurance coverage has surged INSIGHTS BY PET TYPEThe Europe pet insurance market by pet type is categorized into dog The dog segment accounted for the largest market share dominating the pet insurance market due to their widespread popularity and higher likelihood of requiring medical attention This trend is fueled by the strong emotional bond between dog owners and their pets which drives the demand for comprehensive insurance coverage to ensure their well-being Insurance policies for dogs typically offer comprehensive coverage that includes accident These plans cater to the diverse needs of dog owners addressing everything from routine check-ups to emergency surgeries Many dog insurance policies include preventive care options These preventive measures are crucial in promoting dogs' overall health and well-being INSIGHTS BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNELBased on the distribution channel the bancassurance shows significant growth with the fastest-growing CAGR of 14.81% during the forecast period Bancassurance involves partnerships between insurance companies and banks allowing pet insurance products to be sold through bank branches and online banking platforms This collaboration leverages the banks' extensive customer networks making it easier for insurers to reach a broader audience Pet owners can purchase insurance while managing other financial needs By integrating pet insurance into the banking experience customers can easily add coverage for their pets alongside their other financial products streamlining their overall financial management GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSISThe UK dominates with the largest share of the Europe pet insurance market The UK has one of Europe's most established pet insurance markets with high adoption rates and diverse product offerings With an estimated 44% of households owning a pet with a broad range of policies from accident-only coverage to lifetime care Insurers in the UK offer a wide range of policies allowing customers to select coverage that suits their specific needs such as coverage for pre-existing conditions enables owners to opt for specialized insurance plans Key Topics Covered: Chapter - 1: Europe Pet Insurance Market Overview Chapter - 2: Europe Pet Insurance Market Segmentation Data Insurance Type Market Insights (2020-2029) Distribution Channel Market Insights (2020-2029) Chapter - 3: Europe Pet Insurance Market Prospects & Opportunities Chapter - 4: Europe Pet Insurance Market Overview About ResearchAndMarkets.comResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets Carl Hedin is a Swedish Grand Prix Dressage athlete Carl just wants to live his life as a dedicated horseman A major presence on Instagram and Tiktok, the 33-year-old runs his own stable near Gothenburg and is an ambassador for Agria Carl realised that his goal was not necessarily to be a competitive rider or successful trainer In this new video, created in partnership with Agria Carl discusses his philosophy for ensuring his horses’ wellbeing Making the most of every moment with his horses Carl’s guiding principle could be summarised as “a commitment of care “I’ve always liked to challenge the way we interact with horses,” he says “I always like to explore what works for me and my horses You may only see your horse a few hours a day but during the other hours you still have to be a guardian You have to make sure that the horse’s everyday life is fulfilled That goes beyond the hours when you’re in the saddle that goes for every single hour of the day.” Riding out in nature are the moments Carl cherishes the most with his horses Carl is cognisant that we should not assess whether horses are content based upon criteria specific to human needs He says: “Whenever I’m worried as to whether or not my horses have a good life “Horses should have the freedom to move in the paddock With forage: does the horse get enough time to look for food and eat and chew something we know a wild horse would do most of the time we know that the horse is a hugely social animal and they rely a lot on social structures within the herd if I can be sure that these Fs are working then I know my horse will have a fulfilled life.” Discover more about Agria and their equine insurance and digital veterinary advice services here The Eventing star explains how to make the outdoors great… We caught up with the 'international heartbreaker' and all-round superstar Teddy the Shetland to find out his thoughts ahead of the FEI European Championships.. we look at how you can put what you learned about your horse’s body language and herd interactions into action.. FEI.org writer Sophie Baker discusses the highs and lows of her equestrian year.. Fans who recently watched Laura Kraut of the USA jump her way to victory in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ show at Washington were as thrilled with her mount as with the rider herself.. A look at what equestrianism means to Laurentia Tan We take a look at the joys and challenges of looking after horses in some of the world's least hospitable areas.. After a vet saved the life of her horse's new foal Nadia Aslam wants to say thank you to the unsung heroes of the equestrian world.. Young Portuguese Dressage rider João Torrão tells us about the deep connection he has with his horse Equador and their short journey from Novice to Grand Prix level… We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies a leading European provider of pet insurance is proud to announce the launch of Ireland's first-ever comprehensive horse insurance policy covering veterinary fees This policy is designed to provide horse owners with peace of mind offering protection against unexpected medical costs loss of use and mortality, is now launching in Ireland and sets the standard in vet fee cover because:  "We are thrilled to bring Ireland’s horse owners a new level of security Our goal is to support the country’s vibrant equestrian community by providing an insurance product that takes away the worry of unexpected veterinary bills allowing owners to focus on their horses' health and well-being." This pioneering policy not only underscores Agria’s commitment to providing innovative insurance solutions but also reflects the growing importance of equine health and welfare in Ireland’s rural and sporting sectors Agria takes pride in its outstanding customer service ensuring claims are resolved promptly and efficiently — within five days of approval — easing the burden for both owners and veterinary practices there is a 10% online discount available with an additional 5% reduction for those insuring more than one horse and Agria sponsored rider Sarah Ennis adds: “I’m thrilled that Agria is bringing its brilliant insurance to Ireland Whether it’s a horse aiming for the Olympics or a much-loved family horse giving his owners a huge amount of fun at lower levels we all like to do the very best for our horses and Agria brings peace of mind like no other.”  For more information about the new horse insurance policy, including some Frequently Asked Questions, visit www.agriapetinsure.ie/horse-insurance The horse who may not be a superstar in the eyes of the world but who has changed a life and deserves to be recognised for the magic he or she has produced for the good of his or her owner “A humble pony from humble beginnings” – Emma Barrow’s Welsh section D “‘Harry’ is the horse of two lifetimes,” says Waltham Scorpio’s owner Her mother Faye bought him as a yearling for £350 and when she was pregnant “He was a humble pony from humble beginnings and turned into an amazing character “Harry was all I had ever wanted since I was a young girl and he made all my dreams come true right up until the day he died.” qualifying for the Royal International (RIHS) and London International as well as winning at Royal Windsor and many county shows He was still competing at the RIHS this season “He’s given so much in his lifetime and has left a huge hole in our hearts “He became my eyes and my ears” – the 21-year-old KWPN owned by Caitlyn Saddington “Roko” came to Caitlyn Saddington at the age of 15 to take up a new career as a grade I para dressage horse having competed up to medium level previously competed at CPEDI3* and been longlisted for the Tokyo Paralympics But Caitlyn says “his ability to compete at that level is not his greatest achievement” “Roko truly is my horse of a lifetime as when I lost my sight – I was already deaf – he stepped up and became my eyes and ears,” she says “He is such a special horse that he has reduced many in the gallery to tears watching us compete – so I have been told and it is well known that Roko only does what Roko wants to especially now he is retired and is a lord of leisure “I haven’t had a horse like him before and it is unlikely that I ever will again,” says Caitlyn “No horse will ever be able to fill his shoes” – Tamara Cassells-Carp’s ex-racer Spencer raced unsuccessfully over hurdles and fences but found his niche once retired from the track but even more impressive was his effect on his owner “He looked after me after I had extensive surgery to reconstruct my pelvis and spine after a fall in 2013; he got me back in the show ring even after I never regained feeling in my legs and even after I was told I would never walk again let alone ride,” says Tamara Spencer also beat the odds himself – he fractured his knees had a rotational fall and survived several colic episodes until the final one that claimed his life will be able to fill those shoes he’s left behind,” Tamara adds of the Alderbrook gelding not just for me but for everyone who met him in his fabulous 22 years.” “I bought her with my waitressing wages”– the 30-year-old Dales pony owned by Emma Hanselman Emma Hanselman was just 14 when she bought “Dart” from Southall Market in London as a just-broken four-year-old for £850 The pair have done everything from nannying youngsters to working an open farm pony rides for the public and even collecting Emma’s GCSE results together “I’d saved my waitressing wages to buy a pony,” says Emma She reared daily for months and was tricky to tack up – but I was so happy to have my own pony when the mare went on to showjump and attend hunt marches in London she bought her back three years later and competed her in working hunter pony “Some soulmates have four legs,” says Emma “It is without a doubt that Dart is the pony of my lifetime.” This award is now in its third year at the Horse & Hound Awards The Horse & Hound Awards returned for a ninth year in a row the Horse & Hound Awards winners were nominated and voted for by you with the exception of the Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement award which was decided by a Horse & Hound panel We will recognise both the big names who have made 2024 special and the unsung heroes who make it possible for all of us to enjoy equestrian sport and our horses This year we returned to Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire including Olympic and Paralympic superstars Oscar-style speeches and dancing on Wednesday 27 November organiser of the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials has opened the opportunity to secure sponsorship at the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship (18-21 September 2025) by making packages available as an interactive online auction – the like of which has never been seen before The team has come up with an innovative solution to make this system of securing sponsorship as a fairer way to bring a wider range of brands and businesses on board to support the event and benefit their company.  The online auction includes sponsorship packages for cross country fences It is likely that due to the nature of the event this year more UK & European businesses will want to be involved in the horse trials – the first time that the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship has been hosted in the UK for 10 years and twenty years since it was last at Blenheim Palace In order to spread the message as far and wide as possible and therefore open up opportunities to those who want to be involved the horse trials team have launched an online auction to secure a range of sponsorship prospects The auction is available to view here with bidding commencing on 17 March sophisticated auction site where those who are interested can log in search for lots which have detailed descriptions browse a map which shows where each lot is located and submit their bid visitors to the site will be able to view similar fences from last year to get an idea of how their branding would look There is still the opportunity to put together bespoke sponsorship packages for those looking for something special for their brand The sponsorship team are on hand to bring the vision to life for each and every business who wants to be involved in this special event.  particularly with the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship element of it We want it to be as fair as possible and there may be businesses in Europe who we don’t know but who want to be involved We are excited to be bringing this initiative to the equestrian world and to increase the chances of reaching a wider market to give them the opportunity to be part of this iconic event We hope this is something that other events are able to adopt in the future to enhance the sponsorship opportunities and ultimately Get the latest news delivered directly into your inbox Privacy policy Germany's Mario Stevens and the 10-year-old mare Carrie 22 (Christian x Couleur Rubin) won Saturday night's CSI5*-W 1.50/1.60m Rikstoto Grand Prix – counting for the Longines Ranking Group B – at the Agria Oslo Horse Show in the Norwegian capital Six horse-and-rider combinations from the 40 pairs at start cleared the first-round track set by Peter Lundström (SWE) and joined the jump-off where Stevens and Carrie 22 clocked the fastest time when crossing the finish line in 39.08 – taking the win ahead of France's Kevin Staut and Dialou Blue PS (Diarado's Boy x Chacco-Blue) in second in 39.11 Sweden's Emma Emanuelsson and Canbella Blue PS (Cantolar x Chacco-Blue) placed third with a time of 39.22 seconds while the hosts' own Victoria Gulliksen and Equine America Papa Roach (Periqueux x Zeus) finished fourth in 39.64 A fence down in 38.29 seconds left Austria's Katharina Rhomberg and Cuma 5 (Comme Il Faut x Ars Vivendi) fifth.  but it wasn't our fastest," Stevens said in a press release from Agria Oslo Horse Show.  "She has a gigantic stride Starissa is a year older and has long been my top horse in the stable but Carrie is really starting to challenge that position."  the 1.45m presented by Agria – a class counting for the Longines Ranking Group D – went to Brazil's Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and the 12-year-old gelding Carte de Blue PS Marathon (Cartoon x Chacco-Blue) Peder Fredricson (SWE) and Hansson WL (Hip Hop x Iowa) took the runner-up spot followed by Philip Rüping (GER) and For Dilando PS (For Pleasure x Chacco-Blue) in third.  © 2025 World of Showjumping - All rights reserved Powered by Artionet - Generated with IceCube2.Net Home | News | King Kenny Takes The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Presented by Agria The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ presented by Agria the pinnacle Jumping competition of the Show brought together the world’s best horse and rider combinations looking to claim a share of the €180,000 prize fund as well as a place at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Basel in April.  who posted the first clear of the competition Ireland’s Darragh Kenny – already a winner at the Show earlier in the week – made sure of a jump-off in the early stages.  Bernardo Costa Cabral’s up-to-height 1.60m course presented challenges throughout Britain’s double Olympic champion Scott Brash and reigning European Champion Steve Guerdat accruing faults in the first round.  Germany’s Sophie Hinners – winner of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ leg in Verona last month – riding Iron Dames my Prins added their name to the list of those going through to the second round defending champion of this class following his emphatic victory in 2023 showed his class with a brilliant round aboard Point Break to bring the number of clear rounds up to four Robert Whitaker ensured the famous Whitaker dynasty was represented in the jump-off riding the 11-year-old black stallion Vermento.  five of the 37 starters progressed through to the jump-off however four faults en route left the door open to those who followed put on a brilliant demonstration of speed and agility jumping clear to set the standard with a time of 34.76 seconds.  Ben Maher had the crowd on the edge of their seat however his time of 35.15 seconds was only enough for second place as the only rider able to secure the home victory however four faults meant Kenny claimed the first Irish win of the London leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ presented by Agria since 2007.  19 said: “It’s a Show that I always love to come to and to have won this World Cup is pretty cool I knew going into the ring that I had to be fast because those boys are brilliant and they’re all on form but Eddy Blue was unbelievable and jumped great so it was a wait and wish situation.”   On claiming the Leading Rider of the Show award but it ended up being a good week and this caps it off they’re so fun and it’s brilliant to put on a good show for them.” Agria welcomes Christina Almtun as the new head of the European business area With ultimate responsibility for operations in seven countries she is tasked with leading and developing the business in line with the company's goal of becoming the leading pet insurance company in Europe "We are pleased to welcome Christina to Agria as part of our continued growth journey With her extensive background in the insurance industry and proven track record in leading growth and building successful companies We are confident that she will significantly strengthen our market position," says David Haak Agria is headquartered in Sweden and operates in seven European countries: Norway In addition to being responsible for the existing markets Christina Almtun will also lead growth in future expansions into new countries Millions of uninsured pets and horses in the European market create enormous growth potential and exciting to be part of building the European operations forward I look forward to meeting all the competent colleagues and employees and making a difference moving forward," says Christina Almtun about her new position Christina most recently comes from insurance company Svedea where she was the commercial head for 13 years where she held several leading positions focusing on business development Christina will assume her new role at Agria on August 18 Agria is one of the world’s leading pet insurers Established in Ireland in 2023 following the acquisition of Petinsure Agria is now a prominent feature of the Irish pet insurance industry Our mission is to provide the best care for pets and peace of mind for their owners by providing insurance solutions.  Edited press release from The All England Jumping Course Last year saw the British team end a 13-year drought when they claimed the Edward Prince of Wales Trophy on home turf at Hickstead and on Friday the Brits made it back-to-back wins in the CSIO5* Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain for the first time since 2004 finishing on a team total of four faults with The Netherlands in the runner-up spot on eight faults and Ireland third with 16 faults first-drawn Great Britain was the only team to still have a clean sheet with pathfinder Ben Maher and Exit Remo (San Remo x Ferro) Tim Gredley and Medoc de Toxandria (Der Senaat 111 x Kelvin de Sainte Hermelle) and anchorman John Whitaker aboard Equine America Unick du Francport (Zandor x Helios de La Cour II) all producing superb clears Robert Whitaker and Vermento (Argento x Skippy 12) were the drop score with just the planks after the water falling for the reigning King George V Gold Cup champions despite sending a team of younger athletes with just four faults on the board after round one The Brits and the Dutch stayed neck-and-neck for much of round two and when third-to-go Robert Whitaker had two late fences it kept the competition at fever pitch right until the final round Having been drawn first to go in round one the Brits were the last to go in round two When penultimate Dutch combination Lars Kersten and Funky Fred Marienshof Z (Fantomas de Muze x Libero H) produced a clear round A clear round would deliver the win for the Brits and one fence down meant a jump-off for honours has been on more than 180 Nations Cup teams in his remarkable career and if there’s anyone who can deal with pressure "I actually think I ride better under pressure," said John "When I have to do it and the pressure is on The first round was a little bit hairy towards the end but we managed to leave the jumps up but the second round I was very happy with the way he jumped." His team mate Ben Maher was delighted to get another Hickstead Nations Cup win under his belt after winning it for the first time 12 months earlier "I’m just very proud and happy to be here on the team this week," said Ben who heads to Paris next for the Olympic Games "Thank you to Agria - the history behind this competition means a lot to the sport and without the sponsorship that we have today then it wouldn’t be possible so thank you very much." This year's competition was the first to run as a standalone Nations Cup following the end of the former FEI series the independent competition felt 'even better this year' "When I was doing working hunter classes I remember getting an autograph from John Whitaker - so to be sat next to him jumping on a team with him is surreal Robert Whitaker was last on a winning British team at Hickstead in 2004 and it was the first time he'd been on a victorious team alongside his father John "It is great to be on the team with my dad as well When asked if he'd had a couple of fences down just to put a bit more pressure on his dad he joked: "I was just testing how good he really was!" It was another standout result for British chef d'equipe Di Lampard. “Absolutely amazing," was how she described the win and what a way to go off to Paris,” she added gave thanks to the title sponsors for their invaluable support "On behalf of the Bunn family and Hickstead After the disappointment last year when we came out of the series we've put on the show with the help of Agria and the Nations Cup was even better this year."  Donald Whitaker became the fourth member of his famous family to lift the iconic Agria King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead after heading an all-British podium in Sunday's CSIO5* 1.60m Grand Prix.  Riding the 11-year-old mare Millfield Colette (Cornet Obolensky x Clearway) Whitaker delivered a blisteringly quick jump-off round to win the same title that cousin Robert Whitaker claimed at last year’s edition of the show Once again Hickstead proved happy hunting ground for the Whitaker family dynasty with both John and Robert being part of the winning team in the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain two days earlier The 68-year-old John Whitaker and Equine America Unick du Francport (Zandor x Helios de La Cour II) were also one of 10 horse-and-rider combinations to jump clear in the first round of this historic Grand Prix but the British legend’s hopes of landing a fourth King George were dashed in the jump-off when he knocked the first part of the combination at fence three Brazil’s Luciana Lossio and Lady Louise Jmen (Landario Jmen x Calisco Jmen) delivered the first of the clear rounds Next into Hickstead’s International Arena was the reigning Olympic champion Ben Maher on Enjeu de Grisien (Toulon x Andimao) who already has a King George-title under his belt having won in 2013 with Tripple X II The Herts-based rider took the tightest of lines to shave half a second of Luciana’s time But Donald Whitaker's mare had looked fast in the first round and in the jump-off he really let loose with a relentless pace throughout Maher’s Nations Cup teammate Tim Gredley came in last in the jump-off with his Nations Cup mount Medoc Du Toxandria (Der Senaat 111 x Kelvin de Sainte Hermelle) and he looked like he was going to win only to take a pull before the last that left him fractionally behind Ben on 46.26sec France's Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie de Beaufour (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini I) finished fifth in 48.82 The launch of The Golden Paw Hero Dog Awards 2025 has been announced by the Irish Kennel Club Following the incredible success of the 2022 and 2023 events this year’s awards promise to be even more paw-some as they celebrate Ireland’s most courageous  Do you know a dog who deserves a round of a-paws provided unwavering companionship or served bravely in law enforcement The awards are open for nominations in seven categories: Each nominated hero will have the chance to be recognised on a national stage A distinguished panel of judges (to be announced soon) will select finalists in each category The overall winner will be revealed at a dazzling awards ceremony and lunch on the 22nd February 2025 at the Keadeen Hotel Finalists and their humans will be in attendance for a day filled with celebration and inspiration the Golden Paw Hero Dog Awards captured the hearts of the nation with finalists featured on The Late Late Show Higgins met with the Irish Kennel Club where they presented him with an honorary Golden Paw Award for his former pet Bernese Mountain Dog move and celebrate the bond between humans and their four-legged friends the event continues to capture national attention “We are delighted to work with the IKC and continue our sponsorship of the Hero Dog Awards,” says Bernard O’Sullivan Hearing inspiring stories about the bond between dogs and their owners brings us immense joy The Hero Dog Awards recognise and reward Ireland's most courageous and life-changing dogs and those that exemplify the ideal standards for their breeds This is made possible through their owners' exceptional training and care Mark your calendars for 22nd February 2025 when Ireland’s bravest and most devoted dogs will take centre stage All press welcome so don’t miss the chance to be part of this heartwarming celebration of canine courage and companionship Anne volunteers for Irish Therapy Dogs making regular visits to patients in St Country Manager Agria & Pat O’Boyle 2022: Marcel the Golden Retriever who as Kerry’s first Ambassador Dog and many fund-raising events with his owner Anne.  (Marcel is pictured with Jane Seymour backstage of The Late Late Show) Pat O’Boyle (President) and Paul Lawless (Director) of The Irish Kennel Club present President Higgins with Bród’s honorary Golden Paw award Agria Petinsure was established in Ireland in 2023 and is now a prominent feature of the Irish pet insurance industry As pet insurance specialists we understand that a pet is for life – and pet insurance should be too That’s why we only offer lifetime pet and horse insurance to our customers ensuring pets and horses get the best healthcare Agria is donating £1,000 each to 11 animal rescue and rehabilitation centres and providing a spotlight for their most in-need residents It is estimated that approximately 100,000 dogs and 150,000 cats are currently sitting in shelters waiting for their perfect owner to come along and give them a permanent home where they can feel safe and loved* That’s why Agria is using its latest campaign Rescue a Rescue to encourage the public to adopt an animal in need Initially inspired by the spike in animals looking for homes following the peak of new pets in 2020 the Rescue a Rescue campaign has been running annually since 2021 By raising awareness of the UK’s huge need for rehoming the pet insurer hopes to find homes for all 13 of its ‘Rescue a Rescue’ mascots Agria launched Rescue a Rescue with Tenille a one-year-old domestic cat who was living at Tails Animal Rescue in Cheshire after being abandoned as a kitten Tenille has already been snapped up by new owners Agria is delighted to see Tenille enjoying her new forever home Despite Tenille’s speedy success story there are still 12 pets in Agria’s Rescue a Rescue cohort who are searching for their dream homes: Dixie is an 8-year-old Bull Lurcher who has been given up twice through no fault of her own Dixie is loyal and loving but can get anxious which is why it’s so important that she finds an only-pet home with an owner who has the time and patience for quiet Now it’s Jinx’s turn for a happy ending Jinx would suit an adult-only household and is not keen on being left on her own Holly and Ivy are two young domestic short hair cats who love to play together and chase each other but can take a little more time to come out of their shell around others (both human and animal) Holly is the bravest of the two and will follow wherever the treats go Loud noises and being picked up are scary experiences for both so they’ll need a grown-up family and a quiet Shadow is a 3-year old Greek Caucasian Shepherd He is curious and polite with a fun and quirky side Shadow finds some new things a little scary Luna is a mature female Rex rabbit whose owner sadly passed away so would suit an experienced rabbit owner who can give her plenty of space who loves catnip and sunbathing but hates loud noises and being left alone Kiki doesn’t like to be alone - once she trusts and gets to know you her favourite thing to do is curl up on your chest and fall asleep potentially with other laid-back cats who can help her chill out Skylor is a young Staffy cross Italian Greyhound with a joyful spirit and additional needs A homebody who loves snuggling and playing peek-a-boo with her blanket Skylor can find the outside world overwhelming and would prefer to be the only dog in an adult household Cedric and Ethel are mother and son cats who love to play and have fun while Cedric has a playful disposition and loves winding his mum up Ethel and Cedric are looking for owners to take them in as a duo and offer a home with adults and teenagers only the 5-year old Jagdterrier is the perfect pooch for an outdoorsy owner as long as he can take his favourite squeaky toys along Some of Yoko’s pet peeves are having his feet dried and having strangers invading his personal space Yoko would love to live with a grown-up family and must be kept on a lead Saunders the 7-year old medium hair cat was named for the famous Kentucky Colonel after being found by a good Samaritan behind a KFC restaurant in Exeter He needs an owner who is willing to care for his mild renal condition and a quiet environment so he can maintain his generous sleep schedule Rehoming Partner Manager at Agria Pet Insurance said: “The Agria team is passionately invested in the welfare of animals everywhere and the issue of pet adoption is a cause close to our hearts ‘Rescue a Rescue’ is our way of giving back to those who keep the animal rescue industry going and ensuring that no pet misses out on a chance to find their forever home We’re now calling on the UK’s animal lovers to get in contact if they think they could provide the comfort and love these pets deserve.” For more information about Agria’s Rescue a Rescue pets and to learn how to enquire about adoption, visit the Agria website: www.agriapet.co.uk/rescue-a-rescue/  Agria also administers pet insurance schemes for the leading small animal registration bodies and the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) Best Buy for Dog Insurance and a Which Best Buy for Cat Insurance for their Lifetime Premium insurance products and is named Best Overall Pet Insurance provider by The Telegraph 2024 For more information, see www.agriapet.co.uk / https://www.instagram.com/agriapetinsurance / https://www.facebook.com/agriapetuk You are currently accessing Insurance POST via your Enterprise account If you already have an account please use the link below to sign in If you have any problems with your access or would like to request an individual access account please contact our customer service team Phone: 1+44 (0)870 240 8859 Email: csqueries@infopro-digital.com discusses the pet market and the importance of lifetime policies and reveals the insurer considered purchasing RSA’s pet book I always say insurance found me rather than me finding insurance I joined Agria just over two and a half years ago Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@postonline.co.uk or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.postonline.co.uk/subscribe You are currently unable to print this content. 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View our subscription options If you already have an account, please sign in here If you don’t have an Insurance Post account © Infopro Digital Risk (IP) Limited (2025) Published by Infopro Digital Services Limited Companies are registered in England and Wales with company registration numbers 09232733 & 04699701 To use this feature you will need an individual account Alternatively you can request an individual account here the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League 2024/2025-season kicks off in Oslo The entry list for Oslo includes Switzerland's Olympic vice-champion and current world no as well as his compatriots Martin Fuchs and Edouard Schmitz who will be joined by big names such as 2017 European Champion and six-time Olympian Peder Fredricson (SWE) former world number one Harrie Smolders (NED) and Gregory Wathelet (BEL) Victoria and Johan-Sebastian will lead the host nation's side.  the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League will move on to Helsinki (FIN) December will feature four events in Madrid (ESP) The Western European League then continues in January 2025 with stops in Basel (SUI) February will conclude the qualifiers in Bordeaux (FRA) and Gothenburg (SWE).  The top 18 riders from the Western European League will qualify for the final in Basel We name the best companies to insure your pet with offering the most comprehensive policies out there From emergency dental work to diagnosing an illness Our guide explains how you can protect yourself with the right pet insurance company and some of the best policies on the market One of the main perks of pet insurance is that it can save you thousands of pounds in veterinary fees if your dog is diagnosed with arthritis treatment could reach up to £2,000 and it could cost £1,000 to treat diabetes in a cat These are just two of the most common claims across pet insurance policies according to the Association for British Insurers (ABI) with spinal surgery costing between £8,000 and £10,000 Read more: A guide to buying a dog Below we’ve all pet insurance companies nominated at the Times Money Mentor awards 2024 While these insurance companies didn’t make the shortlist for our awards they still provide excellent value for money All those included on this list offer policies which are five star rated by Defaqto Use our pet insurance comparison tool to find personalised results Find out more Pet insurance is used to cover the cost of veterinary treatment for your pet if it falls sick or is involved in an accident This means it primarily gives policy holders a peace of mind that they won’t be faced with large and potentially unaffordable vet bills But pet insurance is more than just a medical policy for your animals which is handy if your dog damages someone else’s property while others will pay out if your pet is stolen The first thing you need to do is sign up your furry (or potentially scaly or feathered) friend – listing key details and any pre-existing conditions they may have – with the pet insurance company This is generally done with an online form you’ll pay a monthly fee to keep the policy – and if you need to go to the vet pay for other treatments or put up a reward for returning them (yes some policies will even cover that) you need to send the bill to the insurance company checks the bill meets the policy requirements then pays out to you – less the policy excess Pet insurance also offers different types of cover Read more: A guide to buying a cat your cover will vary depending on your provider and your pet most policies cover treatment for accidents and/or illnesses such as: Some comprehensive pet insurance plans will also cover other areas like a dental plan or death to your pet from illness or injury It’s a new tax year and that means every UK adult has a new £20,000 tax-free allowance to spend. So we’ve rounded up the best-paying cash Isa accounts, the cheapest stocks and shares options as well as a handy tool to see if you’re putting money into the right sort of Isa Your pet insurance plan won’t cover the expected day-to-day costs such as getting vaccinations or having your cat or dog spayed So before buying your pet make sure you’ve thought of how you can afford these costs You also typically won’t be covered for the first two weeks or so after you take out the policy – this is to prevent people waiting until their pet needs an expensive treatment to take out insurance many policies don’t cover pre-existing illnesses or injuries if your pet has kidney disease before you take out pet insurance any costs you may incur due to this condition won’t be covered There are some pet insurers that will cover you for the recurrence of a pre-existing condition – but you may need to pay more for this You’ll need to check the policy documents of your pet insurance to see what’s included to find out if you’re covered or potentially look out for specialist providers The cover you get will depend on the nature of the condition – with incurable ones often not covered by anyone – and there might be a limit on payouts for dealing pre-existing problems It can be harder to find pet insurance for older cats and dogs as the risk of you making a claim is higher and the vet bills tend to be more expensive Some insurers won’t cover older pets at all and have specific age limits While others offer cover for older cats and dogs although there may be limits on the amount of cover available pay attention to cover limits and exclusions including how much you need to pay if you make a claim what is (and isn’t covered) by the policy the average pet insurance premium was £389 a year in 2023 This was an increase of around £62 from the prior year.  your premium will depend on a range of factors Read more: How can I beat rising insurance premiums? The cost of insuring a young, mixed-breed dog without pre-existing condition starts at about £10 a month or £120 a year, according to Nimblefins you’ll pay more for lifetime cover and less for accident only with a nine-year-old mixed-breed dog costing three times as much to insure at £30 a month or £360 a year Different breeds also cost different amounts thanks to their cost to buy and potential hereditary conditions the average cost for a border terrier is just £6.40 a month while an English bulldog costs on average £38 a month The average cost for a young British shorthair cat is about £10 a month, or £120 a year according to Nimblefins reaching £19 a year by the time the cat is nine with a Burmese costing from about £9 a month when young and a Norwegian forest costing almost £13 A rise in extreme weather events is making many providers unprofitable Michael Brown explores how this is affecting homeowners Read more The average cost of a pet insurance claim last year was £668 This means if you put away the average premium in a savings account it’d take you just over two years to have enough money to subsidise an average claim bear in mind that some surgeries can cost thousands of pounds And if you do end up claiming on such a bill then it would take years’ worth of premiums to accumulate this figure Ultimately a lot depends on your pet and your own circumstances Some people prefer the peace of mind that comes with a comprehensive policy while others feel their money could be better spent elsewhere If you’re not sure if these providers are for you, get a tailored quote today with our online comparison tool.  where you’ll be required to highlight information such as pre-existing medical conditions and what type of pet you’re looking to insure Even if you’re looking to renew your current policy our comparison tool can help you find the best value for money cover.  Compare pet insurance quotes was taken to hospital after his owner spotted him eating a random object in the morning he needed an operation because the surgeon found the following in his stomach: but because of the owner’s pet insurance the entire sum was covered If you have several pets it’s often cheaper to insure them all under one policy This is called a multi pet insurance policy and many providers often offer discounts for insuring your second animal remember the price of multi-pet insurance will also vary depending on the level of cover chosen then one way to make your insurance cheaper is to look at increasing your excess This means you’ll need to provide cover for cheaper veterinary expenses but you’ll still have peace of mind that you’ll be able to pay big fees if necessary These measures won’t be suitable for everyone so one way to bring your costs down is to get your pet spayed or neutered This is because this stops your pet from contracting certain diseases concise information to help you make informed financial decisions Make sure to get in touch with your veterinarian. Some practices allow you to pay off your bill in monthly instalments. The RSPCA also encourages pet owners to seek cheaper Cover can range from £1,000 to close to £20,000 How much cover you need will depend on your own circumstances You’ll likely require the following information: and since establishing it has helped millions of owners stay protected from expensive veterinary fees.   The cost of treating your pet can be unexpected and costly.  According to data from Agria removing the abscess from a dog’s […] Falsterbo Horse Show 2024 concluded on Sunday with a German victory in the CSIO5* 1.60m Agria Falsterbo Grand Prix where only two horse-and-rider combinations delivered double clear performances over Santiago Varela's track.  With the eleven best out of the 42 participants moving on to the second round it was Germany's Sandra Auffarth and the 13-year-old Quirici H (FRH Quaid x Escudo 19) that took the top honours with a double clear round in 52.56 seconds As the only other double clear of the competition Ireland's Cian O'Connor and the 9-year-old Fancy de Kergane (Berdenn de Kergane x Cor de Hus) took the runner-up spot after stopping the clock at 53.62 seconds while a single time penalty in both rounds left Belgium's Abdel Said and Figueras de Laume (Kapitol d'Argonne x Pezetas du Rouet) in third Italy's Giulia Martinengo Marquet and Scuderia 1918 Calle Deluxe (Cesano 2 x Con Air 7) finished fourth as the fastest four-faulters while Latvia's Kristaps Neretnieks followed in fifth aboard Palladium KJV (Falkenhof's Lancer x Cornet Obolensky) "Today was a super day," Auffarth said in the press conference following the Agria Falsterbo Grand Prix that was the first step for a good day after yesterday on Friday he was quite nervous and I was already a little bit disappointed so I had absolutely no pressure and I thought ‘ok take it like a round you learn from and you get routine over this size’ he jumped super; he was totally listening to me The whole atmosphere and everything was very special."  "It was quite a tough course," Auffarth said about the fact that there were only two double clears "It was quite technical; I think the course builder is clever in how he is building the courses There were a few distances where you could decide if you did one less or one more stride and the time was quite tight the triple combination with the water in the middle was something special not so easy for every horse and there were quite a lot mistakes "I have great memories of coming to Falsterbo," second-placed Cian O'Connor said in 2000 and we won the Nations Cup that day and I came many times since It is wonderful; it has not changed very much they understand horses and when you ride in that arena you can feel that kind of support from the audience and it really pushes you to do as well as you can I was very happy with the horse that I ride for Coolmore Showjumping and Mr. Magnier He has jumped several Nations Cups for the team and has always been clear; double clear again on Friday Then he has a month's break after this weekend so I thought this Grand Prix would be a nice time for him to step up to his first five-star Grand Prix and he was super again – double clear – so I am really Germany's Sandra Auffarth and Quirici H won last Sunday's CSIO5* 1.60m Agria Falsterbo Grand Prix at Falsterbo Horse Show 2024 Only two horse-and-rider combinations managed to deliver double clears over the course set by Santiago Varela which asked several questions of the riders – and with a tight time allowed there was some extra pressure on top.  the twelve best pairs from the first round continued to the second – carrying their faults from round one.  All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping AGRIA is to sponsor the Pony Club Minimus championships this summer The Swedish-owned company launched revolutionary new lifetime horse insurance in Ireland last year with points accumulated according to performance minimus is considered the first step for budding tetrathletes and pentathletes of the future and is equally popular with boys as with girls Agria’s policies provide horse owners with peace of mind offering protection against unexpected veterinary costs and mark an important first for Ireland’s dedicated community of horse breeders claiming for a particular ailment or illness on an Agria Lifetime policy (providing it did not exist before the policy was taken out) does not result in it being excluded in the future “Agria is very committed to supporting local equestrian communities and to helping horses and ponies lead fun and healthy lives,” says Damien Hanley marketing strategy manager of Agria Ireland “We are delighted to sponsor the Minimus Championships and these young rider-athletes while we spread word about our game-changing new horse insurance “Agria has made quite an impact since launching its policies in Ireland and we’re thrilled that they have chosen to support this event for young riders,” adds the IPC’s Ivan Hatton The IPC National Agria Minimus 2025 Championships take place on June 14th and 15th at Killossery Lodge Stud About us Contact us Advertise with us Company information Careers Privacy statement Terms of service Commenting policy Change cookies settings Home | News | Agria Named as Super Sunday Sponsor for London International Horse Show 2024 Specialist insurer Agria Pet Insurance has today been announced as the Official Presenting Sponsor for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ at this year’s London International Horse Show with the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ presented by Agria taking place on the afternoon of Sunday 22 December Agria Super Sunday at the London International Horse Show also includes the Agria Mini Stakes (128cm Championships) earlier in the day along with traditional favourites such as The Shetland Pony Grand National and The Kennel Club Dog Agility Final Lorenzo de Luca riding Violino II Palazetto winners of the 2023 Agria Lifetime Equine Snowflake Stakes The London leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ presented by Agria has been won by some of the most famous names in the sport most recently Britain’s reigning individual gold medallist With vital points on offer to qualify for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Basel 2025 the competition will see the world’s best horse and rider combinations go head-to-head in front of a passionate crowd at ExCeL London On presenting the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ commented: “This is already proving a super year for Agria as more riders and horse owners than ever before move to our revolutionary lifetime insurance and what better way to celebrate than by supporting Super Sunday at the London International We’re extremely proud to be presenting the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ — one of the finest jumping classes in Britain — during Agria Super Sunday as well as the Agria Mini Stakes (128cms Championship) We’ll be adding to our brand presence at the London International Horse Show where we will also support the Agria Racehorse to Showhorse class and the Kennel Club Dog Agility Stakes in the Show’s New Horizon Plastics London Arena ponies and pets of all types are incredibly close to Agria’s heart hence why we are also an Official Partner to the Kennel Club and to RoR (Retraining of Racehorses) We very much look forward to a brilliant day of Agria-supported action.” The specialist pet insurer has been insuring animals since 1890 and has provided lifetime pet insurance in the UK since 2009 They work closely with animal welfare organisations vets and breeders to ensure pets and their owners are provided with the very best healthcare Agria’s ground-breaking lifetime equine insurance policy is the only lifetime horse insurance in the UK meaning new veterinary conditions are not excluded once the policy is in place Their equine policies offer up to £10,000 veterinary fees cover every year Simon Brooks-Ward stated: “We are delighted to have Agria on board as our Official Presenting Sponsor for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ on what is certainly going to be an Agria Super Sunday Agria is a company that cares so much about animals and ensuring they have the very best care through specialist insurance which is something that we as a Show know the importance of so we are very proud to have them extend their sponsorship this year.” The All England Jumping Course at Hickstead is host to the CSIO5* Agria Royal International Horse Show which runs from the 24-28 July.  the Netherlands and Sweden will all field teams in the CSIO5* Nations Cup and on the entry list are big names such as John Whitaker (GBR) Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) and Cian O'Connor (IRL) Joining John for the host nation is his son Robert as well as three more members of the Whitaker-family; Donald who is the travelling reserve for the British Olympic team heading for Paris Becky Murray started freelance writing for Horse & Hound in 2016 alongside other equestrian titles before joining the H&H news team in July 2018 She was made senior news writer in January 2022 During her time at H&H she has reported on a broad range of topics across the equestrian industry including welfare issues In 2019 she attended the national Strangles Symposium and the Scottish welfare conference Becky was part of the home remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympic Games and the European Showjumping Championships and has reported from Morris Equestrian the Royal Highland Show and Blair Castle International Horse Trials She also regularly contributes to the weekly H&H podcast She got the showjumping bug with her 13.2hh older pony Phoenix who used to particularly enjoy a chase-me-Charlie She went on to compete in British Showjumping and riding club activities as a teenager with her pony Sparkle After losing two horses in 2015 to illness and injury and hopes to get back in the showjumping ring in the future She also has two miniature Shetland sisters Agria has been named British Equestrian’s equine insurance partner with the aim “to improve the lives of horses in Britain” The partnership pledges to “bring to life the key social impact areas” in which BEF and Agria are aligned There will be a focus on the BEF’s Charter for the Horse “At Agria we are very aware that a healthy horse is a happy horse — and vice versa,” said Agria CEO Vicki Wentworth “Along with our team of Agria-sponsored riders and partners we put a lot of energy into content creation and communication around welfare especially around the five key domains of nutrition working more closely with British Equestrian as their equine insurance partner is a brilliant next step especially as equestrianism works to ensure all riders put the care of the horse first Agria’s Vicki Wentworth and British Equestrian chief executive Jim Eyre An Agria spokesperson added that the partnership will help “spread more widely the information and best practice all owners and riders need to know to keep their horse as healthy as possible” “We’re very proud to combine our own assets and knowledge with the extensive expertise of the BEF and its member bodies through this partnership to provide the equestrian community with the very best support and information possible especially around welfare and education,” said Ms Wentworth BEF CEO Jim Eyre said the partnership is an “exciting step” in the governing body’s commitment to “enhancing knowledge empathy and understanding for equine participants at every level” sustainability and wellness aligns perfectly with Agria’s expertise and passion for helping horse owners create the best environment for lifelong healthy partnerships with their horses,” he said “Agria’s partnership and support comes at a welcome time as we collectively focus on our responsibilities as guardians of the horse and of the sector.” Thelwell’s continued support of the Shetland Pony Grand National the late cartoonist Norman Thelwell’s Thelwell Estate will support Cherhill Shetlands in the Shetland Pony Grand National The stud’s Oldeworlde Daniel and young jockey Fleur Smith have been selected among the nine runners in the class at London International Horse Show (18-22 December) The Shetland Pony Grand National’s 2024 charity is the Bob Champion Cancer Trust Fleur and Oldeworlde Daniel will wear the Aldaniti colours – worn by Bob Champion when he overcame cancer to win the 1981 Grand National with Aldaniti – by permission of Barkfold Manor Stud following Oldeworlde Daniel’s victory in the Shetland race at the Bob Champion Cancer Trust charity race day at Wincanton racecourse in October 2023 “We are delighted that Oldeworlde Daniel and Fleur will be representing Cherhill Shetlands in the Shetland Pony Grand National at London International It is a true honour to own one of the ponies selected to take part in this prolific event,” said Isabella Bride “Not only am I proud of Daniel and Fleur but of our whole team of riders who work tirelessly in all weathers all year round to keep both themselves and the ponies in top-notch condition “Thelwell has been a brilliant supporter of Cherhill Shetlands throughout 2023 and 2024 It is fantastic that they were our sponsor when Daniel had his very first race at the South of England Show last year and we are now looking forward to having them supporting Daniel at London this December.” David Thelwell and his sister Penny added that they have “really enjoyed” meeting some of the Cherhill ponies this year “some of them reminding us fondly of our father’s prolific illustrations” “The passion and determination for ponies is apparent within Cherhill in both ponies and riders lives on and will be represented at this year’s London International Horse Show British Dressage announces official wine supplier Winners at the BD 2024 NAF Five Star winter championships will enjoy a celebratory drink thanks to a new partnership between BD and English wine manufacturers Gusbourne BD members can also buy Gusbourne wine through exclusive partnership rates through the members area “We are incredibly pleased about this opportunity for BD to partner with Gusbourne we are incredibly proud of what Gusbourne has achieved over the last 20 years in developing their estate and we look forward to sharing their story to our community,” said BD commercial manager Chris Phillips “The partnership will present an exciting opportunity for members to taste Gusbourne through exclusive member benefits and onsite experiences at the Gusbourne estate.” Friday's highlight at the 2024-edition of Falsterbo Horse Show in Sweden was the CSIO5* 1.60m Agria Falsterbo Nations Cup where the Swedish team took the title after a jump-off against Germany Norway and France – set off to battle it out over two rounds designed by the Spanish mastermind Santiago Varela who in three weeks' time will be responsible for the tracks at the Olympic Games in Paris together with his French colleague Gregory Bodo.  The best eight teams returned for the second round with Germany and Ireland in the lead on a score of zero. The hosts were on a hunt for a home win but entered the second round as the underdogs Left out of round two were the French and the Norwegians that both collected twenty penalties each in round one the current world number one Henrik von Eckermann and Iliana (Cardento 933 x Gentleman) got Henrik Ankarcrona's home team off to a good start in round one with a clear it was clears from Wilma Hellström and Cicci BJN (Ci Ci Senjor Ask x Tornesch 1042) Emma Emanuelsson and Canbella Blue PS (Cantolar x Chacco-Blue) as well as from Amanda Landeblad aboard For Killy (Otangelo x For Pleasure) in round two that kept the team total on eight penalties – to tie them with Germany Germany's Andre Thieme – fresh from his win in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen – was not only riding but also took over the chef d'equipe duties in Falsterbo Aboard Paule S (Perigueux x Sir Shutterfly) Thieme delivered one of the only four double clears of the competition while a score of 0/4 from Sophie Hinners aboard Special Life (I'm Special de Muze x Narew XX) and Carsten-Otto Nagel aboard GK Curacao (Clarimo x Lerano 2) left the Germans equal with the Swedes when Sandra Auffarth and Quirici H's (Frh Quaid x Escudo 19) result was counted as the drop-score In the jump-off to decide the win, the Germans chose Andre Thieme and Paule S while the Swedes sent out Emma Emanuelsson and Canbella Blue PS As first to go, Emanuelsson and the 10-year-old Canbella Blue PS secured the win for the hosts despite a pole down in 36.76 when the Germans recorded 12 penalties in 41.69.  Michael Blake's Irish team – Darragh Kenny on Eddy Blue (Eldorado Vd Zeshoek x Chacco-Blue) Conor Swail on Casturano (Castelan 3 x Canturo) Daniel Coyle on Incredible (Clinton x Heartbreaker) and Cian O'Connor on Fancy de Kergane (Berdenn de Kergane x Cor de Hus) – finished third on twelve penalties ahead of USA in fourth and the Swiss squad in fifth.  "It is always special to win on home soil," the Swedish chef d'equipe Henrik Ankarcrona said in the press conference following their popular victory "I think that the horses jumped well in the first round despite the few mistakes but after Henrik's eight [to start the second round] things looked a little dark for us "It started as it should," Henrik von Eckermann commented on his performance "Unfortunately I changed my riding a bit for the second round and was too much forward to the plank it is about holding the weight on the hinglegs on the last stride and those two places – the plank and the white vertical – I did the opposite rode forward instead and got two poles down I have these great ladies by my side who did an amazing job to keep us in the game When the the first rider has eight faults like I did you know that every result after counts and they did a grea job – I am thankful for that!"  I heard that there would be a jump-off," Emma Emanuelsson said "And I was sure that Henrik would be the one who would do that Annabel Widdowson and Bunbury Conquest showed they are still at the top of their game as they blazed to win the Agria 128cms championships at the London International Horse Show, by a staggering margin The nine-year-old rider and Alison Irvine’s 23-year-old pony, who won the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) 128cm final two months ago, flew round in their customary top gear six seconds faster than their nearest rivals “It’s wonderful to have won HOYS and now this,” Annabel said “It was hard being second to go and knowing the ones behind me are really good but I always hope to do my best He’s so small but he picked up his little legs and tried his heart out.” The combination now have a glittering array of top pony titles; Annabel became the youngest rider to win the winter title at the Royal International Horse Show last year. “It’s so much fun; I love jumping and he loves it too,” she said “We both have the same mindset – we like going fast “I really want to win and I’m determined to try to do it.” Annabel – who has three more years to contest 128cm classes – added that she is able to tune out the background noise to allow her to focus on the job in hand “The crowd is screaming their heads off for you to go faster and I just block it out,” she said “Thank you so much to Alison for allowing me to ride him Great Britain is to host the FEI Eventing European Championship for 2025 with the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials to welcome the continent’s biggest names which previously ran the FEI Eventing European Championship in 2005 will stage the event from 18 to 21 September 2025 It is the first senior Eventing championship to be held in Great Britain since Blair Castle in 2015 At the most recent FEI Eventing European Championship, held in Le Pin au Haras (FRA) in 2023, Great Britain won Team gold with Rosalind Canter and Lordships Graffalo (pictured above) also adding the Individual prize “It is a great honour to be bringing the FEI Eventing European Championship back to Britain,” said Event Organiser the organisers of Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials with the Palace and the spectacular parkland cross country course and we look forward to welcoming the teams and their supporters for a truly memorable occasion Thanks must go to the teams at British Equestrian Agria and UK Sport who have been instrumental in securing this exciting fixture.” It will be the 37th running of the biennial FEI Eventing European Championship and the 12th occasion that Great Britain has been the host nation 2025 will mark the 35th anniversary of the first Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials Set in the stunning surroundings of Blenheim Palace the event attracts riders and spectators from around the world to enjoy world-class equestrian competition and a range of family-friendly activities “Blenheim is long established as a popular and beautiful Eventing venue and we are very much looking forward to the FEI Eventing European Championship taking place there,” FEI Eventing Director Catrin Norinder said A post shared by Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (@blenheimhorse) The FEI Eventing European Championship has come a long way since its first edition in Badminton in 1953 where the British hosts took Individual gold and silver as well as Team gold British athletes have dominated the discipline since then accumulating a total of 20 gold medals in the Individual category including two very high profile wins by members of the British Royal Family – The Princess Royal in 1971 and her daughter Zara Tindall née Phillips in 2005 The combination of Germany and the Federal Republic of Germany has won 27 Individual medals (six golds) the British have also been in leading position winning gold in 24 out of the 36 editions of this Event France is the second nation with the most Team titles Next year will be Agria's first as title sponsor “Could there be a more thrilling way to celebrate the third UK birthday of our game-changing lifetime equine insurance than by becoming Blenheim's title sponsor for the 2025 Agria FEI Eventing European Championships?” said Vicki Wentworth “Agria celebrates another birthday next year — the 135th since it was founded in Sweden — and we can’t wait to host the best riders in Europe — plus owners and horse fans from far and wide — to Blenheim on its 35th anniversary It’s a brilliant event that always produces a memorable competition." The German pair achieved a special feat in Luhmühlen… Ros Canter is celebrating becoming world No.1 just weeks ahead of becoming a mum… We look ahead to the highlights of the coming year.. We look back at the stories from each year.. China and Thailand have secured their places for the Team competition at next year’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games… France made it a dream return to Vairano with victory in the first leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ French Eventing ace Victor Levecque reflects on how being named Longines Rising Star has changed his life.. Michael Jung and Ingrid Klimke are still out in front after a thrilling Cross Country leg of the Longines FEI Eventing European Championships.. We celebrate Michael Jung's new superstar bay gelding.. Agria, known for its work in the field of animal welfare is hosting its first charity dog walk in Ireland on the 18th and 19th of May. The dog walk is digital, which means pet owners can participate from the comfort of their neighbourhoods. Registration for participating is free, and for every dog registered through the Agria Petinsure website Agria will donate €5 up to €5,000 Dogs Angels Ireland is a beacon of hope for countless dogs in need they provide a safe haven where these animals can heal and thrive every effort is made to ensure that each dog receives the love and care they deserve you're directly contributing to their life-saving work and helping to give these dogs a second chance at happiness.  we have some dogs that we must keep in kennels while they wait in the hope of finding a forever home sometimes our expenses are in excess of €5000/month We depend entirely on individual donations to sustain our mission Agria Petinsure's support arrived when our costs peaked We're deeply grateful for their invaluable assistance and look forward to joining the walk on the 18th and 19th of May.” Says a representative at Dogs Angels Ireland.   Agria Petinsure is proud to partner with Dogs Angels Ireland and support their noble cause an animal insurance company has been insuring animals since 1890 and has been a strong advocate in the field of animal health and welfare Agria understands the importance of organisations like Dogs Angels Ireland who work tirelessly to keep dogs from ending up in the pound Through initiatives like the Agria Dog Walk Agria aims to make a meaningful impact in the lives of rescued dogs and contribute to building a safer future for them.  “Agria's passion for pets runs deep As devoted pet owners and avid animal lovers our commitment to the well-being of pets is unwavering Agria Petinsure is proudly partnering with Dogs Angels Ireland joining forces in their noble mission to rescue granting them a new lease on a life filled with joy and love.” says Lottie Funck Ekelund Agria is calling all pet owners to join the Agria Dog Walk 2024 and create a safer future Agria insured its first domestic animal in 1890 its first dog in 1924 and its first cat in 1974 Agria holds a prominent position as the leader in Scandinavia and extends its coverage to over a million animals across Europe Agria has cultivated extensive partnerships with breeders Agria Petinsure is now a prominent feature of the Irish pet insurance industry offering comprehensive coverage for dogs and cats Agria Djurförsäkring continues its international growth strategy by acquiring the Irish company Capstone currently trades under the brands Petinsure in Ireland and Zoopo in the Netherlands Only three months after launching Agria Tierversicherung in Germany Agria is now acquiring the Irish based company which offers insurance for dogs and cats in Ireland and the Netherlands “I see huge potential to increase the level of insured pets in Europe and I am pleased to accelerate our international growth strategy by adding Ireland and the Netherlands to our operations We have an ambitious growth plan and Capstone is a profitable and well-functioning company that fits perfectly into our business portfolio,” says Agnes Fabricius the acquisition of Capstone facilitates an immediate commercial footprint in the Irish pet insurance market Agria will strive to further develop Capstone with a view to ultimately increasing the number of insured pets in Ireland  There are about 455,000 dogs and 325,000 cats in Ireland with a market penetration for insurance of approximately 10 percent This can be compared with Sweden where 90 percent of the dogs and 50 percent of the cats are insured ” Our overall mission is to create security for pets and peace of mind for their owners by making it possible to access qualified veterinary care treatment when needed” Managing Director of Capstone says “This is great news for the Irish pet insurance market and particularly for Petinsure customers Agria has an unrivalled pedigree and history in caring for pets and we are really excited to see the positive impact that Agria is going to bring to pet owners and in particular to pet insurance customers both here in Ireland and in the Netherlands” the brand Petinsure was founded by Capstone Financial Services Limited in 2008  Petinsure has had a strong growth curve and is today one of the leading providers of pet insurance in Ireland offering pet insurance and a pet management tool  Capstone is a managing general agent and administration of pet insurance products for dogs and cats Capstone cooperates with the insurance provider Arch Insurance  Gross written premium (GWP) for the full year 2021 amounted to EUR 3.8 million Agria was founded by animal owners in Sweden in 1890 and is now the market leading pet insurance provider with a 60 percent market share in Sweden Agria provides a digital veterinary service that offers video consultations to pet owners through the subsidiary Agria Vet Guide  Agria employs 500 people with premium income for 2021 of EUR 513 million (427) Friday's CSIO5* 1.60m Agria Falsterbo Nations Cup at Falsterbo Horse Show in Sweden saw ten teams line up for a battle with the host nation taking the title after a jump-off against the Germans it was the Irish going head-to-head with the Germans – the Swedes hot on their heels – as the eight best teams continued on to the second round while the French and Norwegian teams did not make the cut.  we look back at the action in the first round of Friday's Agria Falsterbo Nations Cup All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.  the victory in Friday's CSIO5* 1.45m Agria Trophy – a qualifier for the Falsterbo Derby – went to France's Julien Gonin and the 10-year-old Estrella de La Batia (Diamant de Semilly x Lando) Topping a starting field of 22 horse-and-rider combinations Gonin and Estrella de La Batia took the win with their time of 62.90 followed by Przemyslaw Konopacki (POL) and Kaliber (Verdi x Baloubet du Rouet) in second in 64.26 Carsten-Otto Nagel (GER) and Cancaneur (Connor 48 x Lacros) completed the top three with a time of 65.21 seconds Alain Jufer (SUI) and Dark Grey MM (Diacasall x Grossadmiral) finished fourth after clocking a time of 66.47 followed by Steve Guerdat (SUI) – 2023 European Champion – and Easy Star de Talma (Quick Star x Opium de Talma) in fifth in 66.56 2.12.2024 02:11:00 CET | Sweden International Horse Show | Pressmeddelande Thursday evening she fell off the borrowed horse Stinger everything came together for Swedish Olympic rider Frida Andersén who claimed the second victory of her career in the Agria Indoor Eventing at Strawberry Arena.“When I walked the course Frida Andersén admitted at the press conference after the competition where the riders compete on a course designed to challenge them as well as showing off their fantastic sport to loud music is truly an audience favourite in Stockholm Frida Andersén won the competition in 2021 When Frida Andersén entered the course on Sunday evening except to avoid repeating Thursday’s result where she fell off after a slight misunderstanding "My plan was anything but to do the same thing again But today I had a good feeling because I've been riding him for a few days I got a bit nervous when I walked the course and when I came in I just made it up along the way It seems like I chose the right one," Frida Andersén said Stinger is 17 years old and is usually competed by young rider Wilma Nyhlén and previously by Ludwig Svennerstål who took him to the World Championships in Tryon in 2018 he got to try indoor eventing with Paris Olympian rider Frida Andersén in the saddle "I always think it’s one of the highlights of the year to come here but it’s an opportunity for us to show the Swedish audience our sport and I think it’s very good for us to be here" had to settle for second place in the final class "I’m happy with my horse; he worked really hard and gave everything I took the flag and knew I had to go for it but I’m a bit disappointed that I made some of those mistakes" Third placed rider was the Brazilian rider Ruy Fonseca "The first time I came to Sweden was for the World Equestrian Games in 1990 I trained under Lars Cederholm and Yogi Breisner Coming back here 34 years later to compete in front of this amazing audience at this fantastic event was very special for me" Full results: https://online.equipe.com/startlists/1036992 Sweden International Horse Show 28 november - 1 december 2024, www.horseshow.se Endast mejladress behövs och den används bara här Två av Sveriges största hästevenemang går samman när Sweden International Horse Show (SIHS) och STL Sommartrav inleder ett spännande samarbete kring SIHS populära käpphästtävling Förra året debuterade working equitation som tävlingsgren under Sweden International Horse Show Nu står det klart att populära SIHS Working Equitation Cup växer och utökar till två tävlingsdagar i Strawberry Arena Sweden International Horse Show 2024 bjöd på fantastiska svenska prestationer tillika toppsport i världsklass Den totala publiksiffran landade på 78 476 med toppnoteringar för de mest populära föreställningarna lördag eftermiddag lördag kväll och söndag kväll med drygt 11 000 åskådare på plats Peder Fredricson concluded the competitions at Strawberry Arena with a victory in the Sweden H&M Grand Prix riding the talented Sv Vroom de la Pomme Z “He’s starting to feel really confident in the arena,” Peder said after the competition Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour (DEN) and Mount St John Freestyle showcased their very best in The Lövsta Top 10 Dressage Final in Stockholm resulting in a place on top of the podium and a personal best for the rider with impressive 90.715 percent “She allows me to ride super nicely and smoothly making everything easier,” Laudrup-Dufour said I vårt pressrum kan du läsa de senaste pressmeddelandena få tillgång till pressmaterial och hitta kontaktinformation is entering the Irish market with a clear mission “Our overall aim is to increase the insurance rate for pets thus increasing their welfare and their pet owners’ peace of mind” Agria is the second largest pet insurer in Europe and has insured pets for over 130 years the Swedish-based pet insurance company Agria Djurförsäkring acquired the Irish company Capstone Financial Services Limited Agria has rebranded Petinsure to Agria Petinsure and will underwrite policies replacing Arch Insurance (EU) DAC Agria currently operates in nine European markets with the goal to further increase insurance for dogs and cats "We know from establishing businesses in other European countries that the pet insurance uptake usually increases gradually after entering a new market strive for this in the Irish market as well including increasing pet owners' understanding of the importance of insuring their pets," says O’Sullivan “Extended treatments or major surgeries can be financially burdensome for pet owners A pet insurance policy is the best way to ensure that your pet will receive the necessary medical care Many dogs and cats may also require care as they grow older Lifelong insurance can prove to be a safety net for these situations.” says O'Sullivan Agria Petinsure also has plans to work closely with animal welfare organisations and breeders in Ireland to ensure pets and their owners are provided with most comprehensive care http://agriapetinsure.ie   Swedish owned pet insurer, Agria, acquires Capstone and speeds up its international growth - Petinsure.ie (cision.com) Agria Dog Walk has set a new Guinness World Record for the “Largest Dachshund Dog Walk.” Held at Marble Hill House in London the event saw 342 dachshunds participating surpassing the required minimum attendance of 250 dachshunds brought together dachshund owners from across the UK Animal welfare activist and TV personality Jodie Kidd joined the event to support the Guinness World Record attempt and encourage participation for the cause of animal welfare “We’re absolutely thrilled to have won the Guinness World Records title and it was an absolute pleasure to watch so many passionate people and pups come together to help support a great cause and we’d like to thank everyone who showed up to walk the walk in the name of animal welfare.” The event was held in partnership with English Heritage’s Dog-Friendly Days Out and supported by The Kennel Club The Dog Walk took place at three English Heritage locations across the UK Approximately 1500 dogs participated either at official sites across the UK or through the Digital Dog Walk Agria will donate £20,000 to support rescue and rehoming centres Annabel Widdowson added the Agria 128cm Championship to her impressive tally with the evergreen but ever-eager 23-year-old Bunbury Conquest at the London International Horse Show a pony of dreams – he is the King,” said Annabel finished second at the Royal International Horse Show this year and won at Horse of the Year Show [HOYS] – Annabel reputedly the youngest ever winner at nine years of age.  After taking second in London last year Twelve set out over course-designer Bernardo Costa Cabral’s 11-fence 1.10m track with seven supplying a clean sheet to return for the jump-off.  First off Amy Capper had no choice but to throw caution out of the door to set a competitive time on Dooneen Electric but four faults left them vulnerable.  went even faster.  Determined from the outset to throw down the gauntlet Annabel’s enthusiasm was matched only by the flamboyant ‘Questie’ and the pair flew around the course to stop the clock dead-on 30.00 seconds.  She now had an agonising wait to see if she’d done enough my trainer Jason Moore told me I had to get a strong sometimes he can be a bit sticky over the first two fences but he’s a legend and we took out a stride down every distance,” said Annabel It was all or nothing as riders chased the clock with abandon and Kobi Watt proved the only other competitor to return home on a clean sheet with Hillgarth Baileys Cream some six seconds behind Annabel.  Nonetheless Hickstead champion Jim gave her a run for the money beating the time by 0.56 seconds – but at the cost of four faults to drop them into third Annabel got the ride on Bunbury Conquest from owner Alison Irvine three years ago with parents Kathleen and Justin focusing on the development of the correct seat competing in Style and Performance classes before going on to competition proper “Alison is our greatest supporter but we never dreamt we would achieve the results he has – winning at Hickstead HOYS and now London – he means the world to us and we cherish him,” said Annabel’s Mum Kathleen who made the inspired decision for Annabel to compete in the hunter classes at Wellington International’s Winter Equestrian Festival at the beginning of the year again to develop a strong seat and classic position – “We plan on going to Wellington again next year the experience gained is definitely worth it.” Image credit: London International Horse Trials / Peter Nixon  The British Showjumping Association is a Limited Company registeredin England and Wales with the registration number 210797 Privacy Policy | Registered office: Meriden Business Park Site designed and managed by ideasBarn the Swedish-based insurance company specializing in pet and animal insurance is pleased to announce the expansion of its services in the German market The company will now include equine insurance and digital veterinary counseling in its portfolio Agria has entered into a long-term collaboration with the German Equestrian Federation *The survey was conducted by Xtreme on behalf of Agria in Germany in 2023 it was the Irish going head-to-head with the Germans – the Swedes hot on their heels – as the eight best teams continued on to the second round.  with three clear rounds from Wilma Hellström, Emma Emanuelsson and Amanda Landeblad and it took a jump-off against Germany to decide which of the two teams was going to be the winner.  Here, Emma Emanuelsson celebrates a clear round with Canbella Blue PS we look back at the action in the second round and the jump-off in the Agria Falsterbo Nations Cup Years ago I was on tour and gave a talk about my novel "Garden of Eve." It is the story of one woman’s experiences with creating a cottage garden in her front yard as a way of coping with grief at the loss of a loved one a frail elderly woman in the audience stood up “I just wanted to thank you,” the woman told me “To tell you that I started reading your book a year ago when my husband passed away Once a month for the next year I read the book again and again Your book got me through that terrible time.” I always believed in the renewing experience of gardening the woman’s powerful expression of thanks has been a humbling reminder never to underestimate the power of gardening as a way of coping with life’s setbacks and losses No one — neither plant nor gardener — knows what those challenges will be from year to year Both the garden and those who tend it operate on the overwhelming instinct to grow And fueling that growth is a shared unspoken faith that season to season Nobody — least of all plants — assume that growth and survival are easy storing up fuel in their roots or tubers to weather the hard winter that is bound to come Still others find themselves taking life as it comes The delicate limbs of the new redbud in our garden never greened up this year But from that sad looking trunk new growth emerged as the summer progressed Every encounter in the garden adds to our human repertoire of survival skills upon which we can draw in those awful moments when growth seems least likely Will that new redbud of mine do better this coming winter than during the last But still it grows — inspiring me to grow with it But then so does the precious miracle of growth new life emerging from the dark earth in ways we may have never expected And so with yet another growing season nearing a close as a gardener I cannot help but celebrate the garden’s many precious gifts to us At stake is not just the beauty of all those plants in bloom but their tenacious capacity for survival This summer I met the Michigan lily for the first time at a garden-walk sponsored by the Petoskey Area Garden Club Lilium michiganense stands a whopping 5 feet tall Its spectacular spotted orange flowers are worthy of a hybrid catalog but in fact it is a prairie wildflower around the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest from South Dakota to New York and south to Georgia and Oklahoma Sometimes it is confused with so-called 'Turk’s Cap,' an Asian lily that has naturalized in the U.S In several states the Michigan lily is considered endangered I have never seen a Michigan lily in the wild But then the same can be said of any number of prairie wildflowers cultivated lawns and gardens and farm fields can be hard on the wildflower population one of my favorite haunts became the University of Wisconsin Arboretum — a pioneer site aimed at preserving neglected and endangered prairie habitats including railroad right-of-ways where pesticides and cultivation had not driven out native plant species The result was a stunning collection of plants I had never encountered in the gardens of my Wisconsin childhood Today many of those wild prairie plants like blanket and coneflower have found their way into cultivated gardens as well Many summer and fall native plants will thrive even when water is in scarce supply And many bloom far longer than hothouse favorites of the gardening world Which is why I find myself baffled when so many gardeners still equate ‘show-gardening’ primarily with hybrids or sometimes even prioritize finicky annuals over perennials Case in point: while coneflowers and Joe Pye weed may show up in a designed bed the common milkweed and thistles apart from the globe variety are shunned like some poor relation And milkweeds are the only host plants favored by the caterpillar that so spectacularly morphs into the monarch butterfly Since monarch caterpillars feed only on milkweed leaves the plant’s shrinking habitat contributes mightily to the butterfly’s increasingly endangered status Their leaves and stems contain a toxin which transmits from caterpillar to the adult butterflies which is why so many insects and birds avoid eating monarchs monarchs love to feed on milkweed nectar which enables the milkweed to pollinate and spread Movements like 'No Mow May' try to promote dandelion flowering which can extend the food supply for bees I would like to challenge fellow gardeners to redefine what a ‘hybrid’ garden can be: a fascinating mix of wild and cultivated flowering plants all of which stretch our gardens’ pollination capacity as well as the food sources and habitat for so many insects and animals — we humans included (WSET) — Working to bring you the best strawberries spinach and more -- that's the goal of Agria in Lynchburg We are starting right here in Lynchburg but that is just the beginning," said William Layton Agria is a new agriculture-technology company. "By being able to grow just like nature intended I’ve formed over 170 different varieties of plants in here We’ve even fooled around with some fruit trees too," said Layton Layton grew up and has lived all around the world He first gained notoriety by growing giant pumpkins winning the state record in Virginia at 1138 lbs he has worked to make his passion a reality SEE ALSO: Juvenile charged with killing 5 horses also killed dog; man charged in connection: Sheriff Layton says over the last 20 years he's worked to invent an all-natural organic farming system to improve sustainable agriculture technology everywhere "I can’t go on and tell you exactly what I’m doing here Layton says the lighting enables the plants to be able to grow indoors fertilizers or pesticides and a whole lot of flavors The vertical aspect allows Layton to grow more plants at one time Layton says his produce grows 30% times quicker than an average farmer "Our stuff goes 2-3 weeks on shelf life My stuff isn’t trucked all the way across the United States of America either," said Layton You've probably tasted Agria's produce if you've been to restaurants around town you have to consider what is the true flavor of the product We want it to be next level," said Candance Vinson the Director of Culinary Innovation for Hen & Hound Culinary Management Agria sources all of the fresh produce for the Hen & Hound Management company Glass House and even the University of Lynchburg carry the fruits and veggies from Agria Vinson plans all the dishes for the restaurants She says it’s very important that her guests from out of town grasp a true taste of Virginia "William Layton is able to cut exactly what we need We know when it’s been cut and when it’s been grown Our customers are getting a real-life fresh experience with this produce," said Vinson READ MORE: Ron DeSantis to speak at Liberty University Convocation Kaylee South is an Environmental Specialist with the Virginia Cooperative Extension She says vertical farming like this helps create little economies in each city "I think it's really good in that the food is fresh and that they're supporting local restaurants They are creating this little economy kind of in their city," said South South says one of the biggest benefits though is that is it cutting down the delivery miles "Many cases have that third party person in there This is coming from someone that you may know down the street that community connection is really important Community connection is something that's lost in a lot of places when it has to do with food Having someone local like that is important for like community structure as well," said South If you are wondering how to get your hands on some of this fresh produce -- you will only have to wait a few more months Agria is sourcing strictly for restaurants in Lynchburg Layton's goal within the next few months is to open it up to the public Layton says you can message their Instagram if you have any questions To learn more about the technology and how you can invest in the company, visit their website by clicking here. Agria shared some of their fresh produce with the ABC13 The morning news team took a stab at their hot peppers -- delicious craving both human companionship and interactions with fellow canines Whether it's strolling through the park every outing presents an opportunity for your pets to connect with others These interactions not only fulfil their social needs but also enrich their overall well-being.  According to a recent survey* of pet owners carried out by Agria 20% of owners have already made new friends thanks to their dog.   “It's important to understand that dogs thrive when they get to explore the great outdoors While some of us are lucky enough to have spacious backyards Venturing out gives our pets the chance to discover new scents These experiences are key to keeping them happy and healthy It's not all that different for us humans We thrive on companionship and interactions just as much as our pets do and having a pet offers us an opportunity to meet new like-minded people.” says Robin Hargreaves Curious about ways to connect with other pet owners in Ireland a lot of dog groups meet up regularly for playtime These groups offer a fantastic opportunity to socialise and engage with fellow dog owners many dog groups will be organising beach walks and picnics providing the perfect setting for you and your dog to enjoy the outdoors.   Volunteer at animal rescues and shelters: Volunteering at animal rescues and shelters offers a chance to meet like-minded people and make a difference in the lives of animals lending a hand to these organisations can help build meaningful and lifelong connections.   Local dog parks: Dog-friendly parks across Ireland are often bustling with pet owners especially during lunch hours and weekends as dog owners take their dogs out for walks This is a great way to connect with local pet owners So next time you venture out with your dog seize the opportunity to explore a nearby dog-friendly park.  while the social scene may differ slightly 10% of cat owners have still met friends thanks to their cats.   cat owners can actively engage with other cat owners in various ways Cat cafes have emerged as a trendy hotspot for cat lovers to meet and mingle cat rescue centres and online communities serve as invaluable platforms for connecting with fellow cat lovers Pet owners across the world cherish the joy and companionship their animals bring Whether they view them as best friends or beloved family members pets play a crucial role in improving our well-being and nurturing meaningful connections.  The online survey was conducted in November 2023 by the research company Xtreme on behalf of Agria among 847 dog and cat owners.