Tag Archives: Andrew Nicholson

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Show Jumping

Andrew Nicholson Finally Lifts Badminton Trophy, after a Record 37 Finishes, with Nereo

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Six time Olympian Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Nereo. (FEI/Jon Stroud)

Michael Jung (GER) and Sam secure second, and now lead the FEI Classics™ standings, with Tim Price (NZL) and Xavier Faer moving up to take third

Fellow competitors erupted in spontaneous cheering as the brilliant New Zealand horseman Andrew Nicholson, 55, at last won the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, fourth leg of the FEI Classics™, after a record 37 attempts over 33 years.

“Of course I knew I would win Badminton one day – I just didn’t know when!” — Andrew Nicholson (NZL)

It was a jumping finale full of surprises as Nicholson, third after cross-country, pulled off a stunning clear round on the 17-year-old Nereo to leave the two German Olympians ahead of him – Michael Jung and overnight leader Ingrid Klimke – no room for manoeuvre.

Jung’s La Biosthetique Sam, also a veteran 17-year-old, hit the back rail of the sixth fence, so the defending champion had to settle for the runner-up spot, but he now leads the FEI Classics™ series leaderboard. Then, to gasps from the fascinated crowd, Ingrid Klimke and Horseware Hale Bob hit the same fence and Klimke’s problems were compounded with a refusal at the treble, which dropped her to ninth.

“I’m a bit unhappy about the mistake and it was, for sure, my mistake, but Sam has been superb all weekend.” — Michael Jung (GER)

New Zealanders Tim Price (Xavier Faer) and Sir Mark Todd with both his horses, NZB Campino and Leonidas ll, capitalised on clear jumping rounds and moved up to third, fourth and sixth.

There was a new British name in fifth place, 31-year-old Rosalind Canter, who had a superb Badminton debut on Allstar B. Gemma Tattersall (GBR) was delighted to jump clear for sixth place on Arctic Soul and Kristina Cook was at her vintage best in 10th place on Billy the Red.

Completing the international flavour was Japanese rider Yoshiaki Oiwa, whose long-term aim of the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 will have been enhanced by eighth place on The Duke of Cavan.

A total of 46 completed the competition with 20 clear jumping rounds. There was disappointment for the British when Alexander Bragg’s Zagreb, eighth after a great cross-country, was withdrawn from the holding box at the final horse inspection.

Nicholson first rode at Badminton in 1984; he has since completed more times than any other rider, and has finished second, on Lord Killinghurst in 2004, and third, on Libby Sellar’s Spanish-bred chestnut gelding Nereo in 2013. He was in the lead on Nereo in 2015, but it all went wrong in the final phase.

His win is even more of a fairytale considering he broke his neck in a fall 18 months ago – the prospect of competing Avebury, his three-time Burghley winner, and Nereo was, he says, a strong motivation during his recovery.

“I’ve been in all sorts of places at Badminton and not won, so it has been hard, but I am lucky that I’ve been able to keep the dream alive and keep coming back.” — Andrew Nicholson (NZL)

Nicholson’s spectacular victory puts him into third place in the FEI Classics™, behind Pau winner Maxime Livio (FRA) and last year’s series champion Jung, who leads going into his home 4* at Luhmühlen next month.

Press contacts:

At FEI:

Leanne Williams
Manager Press Relations
leanne.williams@fei.org
+41 79 314 24 38

At Badminton:

Julian Seaman
Head of Media
J.Seaman2@sky.com
+44 7831 515736

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Andrew Nicholson Keeps the Badminton Dream Alive

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Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Nereo retain their lead after a perfectly judged Cross Country round at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, fourth leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Jon Stroud/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 9 May 2015 – Andrew Nicholson (NZL) joked that he was “still living the dream” after judging his Cross-Country round on Nereo to perfection at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, fourth leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

The brilliant New Zealand rider finished one second inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 27 seconds to remain on his leading Dressage score of 37.8. But the six-time Olympian has no room for error to realise a great ambition nurtured since he first competed here in 1984. He has no margin for error in tomorrow’s Jumping phase over four riders who, like Nicholson, all know what it takes to win a CCI4*.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR), who beat Nicholson into second place at Badminton in 2004, is in the runner-up spot after a thrilling round on the stallion Chilli Morning. Oliver Townend, the last British rider to win Badminton, in 2009, is third on Nicholson’s former ride, Armada, a full-brother to Nereo.

Ingrid Klimke (GER) is fourth on her 2014 Pau winner Horseware Hale Bob and the 2013 Badminton winner Jock Paget (NZL) is fifth on Clifton Lush. None of them can afford the tiniest mistake in what promises to be a thrilling Jumping finale. “The crowd will love it,” said Fox-Pitt.

The 2010 winner Paul Tapner (AUS), who proved a masterful pathfinder on Kilronan, 22nd, is in close contention with his second ride, Indian Mill, sixth.

There are five New Zealand horses in the top 10. Nicholson is also seventh on the Thoroughbred Calico Joe and Paget is ninth on Clifton Promise after picking up 6.4 time penalties. Sir Mark Todd is ninth on Leonidas ll with 1.2 time penalties and earned an enormous cheer from the crowd when he finished on the last horse of the day, Oloa, 43rd.

“The course rode really well and the going was perfect,” said the four-time winner who, at 59, was the oldest in the field of 78 Cross Country starters. “Even now, I can say that you still get just as nervous and it’s still just as much a thrill. I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Nicholson has won eight CCI4*s, including Burghley five times, but the Mitsubishi Motors trophy has eluded him so far. In 2014, he was last to go on the Spanish-bred Nereo and appeared to have the competition at his mercy, but was unseated midway round at a rail out of the Gatehouse Pond.

“I’ve had a year to contemplate that,” Nicholson said ruefully. “Until I managed to fall off, Nereo was making it feel easy. So this year I made a conscious effort to have him jumping every fence right. It perhaps didn’t feel as smooth, but I’m sure he realised that I was using a bit more pressure from the leg and a stronger rein contact and I think he sensed that each fence mattered.”

With only one ride, Fox-Pitt endured an anxious wait for his turn towards the end of the day, and revealed that he’d been “playing in the Wendy house and on the bouncy castle” with his young sons. “With the course riding so well, I knew that just a few seconds wasted would mean it was all over.”

The performance of Fox-Pitt’s mount, Chilli Morning, was the best by a stallion in the history of Badminton. “When he argues, it gives me confidence that he’s up for it,” said Fox-Pitt, a reference to the time the chestnut stopped at a ditch at Kentucky in 2013. “It’s not poetry in motion, but he’s very genuine, a super horse.”

Bettina Hoy (GER) produced one of her best ever Badminton performances to lie eighth on Designer 10 with just 1.6 time penalties. “He’s never jumped anything that big before and I don’t think I’ve been that fast for a while,” said a delighted Hoy, “I was getting lots of texts and positive messages from riders at Marbach [the German national championships] telling me to kick on.”

Course Designer Giuseppe della Chiesa (ITA) had reduced the intensity of his track, but it still exerted an appropriate influence and, despite the perfect weather and footing conditions, riders had to be completely focused to achieve the optimum time. There were 52 clear rounds, 13 of which were inside the time.

“It was really wonderful to ride,” said an effervescent Ingrid Klimke, who could be the first German to win at the world-famous Gloucestershire venue. “Congratulations to the designer. It had big fences and technical questions which were appropriate for four-star level and it motivated the horses.”

The huge crowds waiting to see thrills and spills at the Lake were not disappointed. Three veteran riders, Kristina Cook (GBR), 11th after Dressage on De Novo News, fellow Briton Gary Parsonage (Sligo Luckyvalier), who last rode at Badminton in the days of long format, and triple Olympic gold medallist Andrew Hoy (AUS) on Rutherglen all got a soaking when their horses pitched over the curved willow “wave” fence into the water.

“I’m so annoyed with myself,” said Cook when she’d dried off. “He was going so well and for some reason I decided I wanted another stride and got the horse too close to the fence.”

The 2014 winner Sam Griffiths (AUS), who is lying 16th on Paulank Brockagh, retired his second ride Happy Times after nearly falling and missing his line in the Lake.

The step out of the Lake also proved influential and ended the challenge of young German rider Niklas Bschorer who had been eighth after Dressage. He performed heroics to stay on when Tom Tom Go 3 stumbled up the step, but had to retire when his air jacket inflated.

Andrew Hoy (AUS), who first rode at Badminton in 1979, had a particularly damp day. He was having trouble anchoring first ride Lanfranco TSF, the horse previously ridden by Bettina Hoy, when the onward-bound gelding ran past the narrow brush in the Gatehouse Pond (fence 20) and dislodged him.

Experienced New Zealander Caroline Powell, 23rd after Dressage, also got wet here when Onwards and Upwards tripped on landing.

Christopher Burton (AUS), now 40th, finished 15 seconds inside the optimum time on TS Jamaimo but incurred 20 penalties when taking the alternative route at Huntsman’s Close, which cost him 11th place.

When asked how he was going to keep calm overnight, the leader Andrew Nicholson replied that he was going to return to his home near Marlborough, Wiltshire. “My youngest two children, Lily and Zach, will bring me back to reality, and we’ve also got a few problems with our chickens,” he said.

Find the start list, drawn order, rider biographies and live results on www.badminton-horse.co.uk, and watch the full Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials live on FEI TV: www.feitv.org.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics and #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials Media Contact:

Julian Seaman
J.Seaman2@sky.com
+44 7831 515736

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Nicholson and Nereo Hold Onto Badminton Dressage Lead

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William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Chilli Morning is currently in second place to Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Nereo after the Dressage phase at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, fourth leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Jon Stroud/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 8 May 2015 – Andrew Nicholson (NZL), the man who has completed the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials more times (33) than any other rider, is still in pole position on Nereo after a fascinating two days of Dressage at this fourth leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

The 53-year-old Kiwi, who performed his test early yesterday morning, is still out in front of the 81 starters, although his lead has shrunk to just 1.2 penalties over world number two William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and the 15-year-old stallion Chilli Morning.

Nicholson’s former ride, Armada – a full brother to Nereo – is in close contention in third place with Oliver Townend (GBR) on 39.2. Ingrid Klimke (GER) is fourth on Horseware Hale Bob on 40.2 penalties, and New Zealander Jock Paget’s two rides, Clifton Lush and Clifton Promise, are in fifth and sixth place, separated by a mere 0.4 of a penalty.

With judges now able to award half marks under new FEI rules, the scores are tightly bunched – just 10 penalties cover the top 29 horses – making for a thrilling day’s Cross Country tomorrow.

Nicholson admitted that he was quite surprised to find himself still in the lead after some strong performances by fellow competitors today. “I expected to end up about fifth,” he said, “but Nereo felt very smart yesterday and I thought that if anyone beat me they probably wouldn’t be very far in front.”

Fox-Pitt, who is bringing his world bronze medal horse to Badminton for the first time, was rueing a couple of fluffed flying changes in an otherwise immaculate test. “It’s frustrating because Chilli is a horse that is normally very solid in this movement, but I’m very happy with him overall and he feels fantastic,” he said.

“He’s usually a very relaxed horse and has been half-asleep all week, so it was rather a bad moment for him to wake up!” added Fox-Pitt, who admits that he faces a long and anxious wait tomorrow as he only has the one ride this year and won’t be going across country until nearly the end of the day.

Townend, the last British rider to win Badminton (in 2009 on Flint Curtis), commented that this was Armada’s best test to date. “It’s all about the long-term work we’ve done together,” he said.

“This is the first time he’s come to Badminton felt he’s ready to do his job in the arena. Usually, you’re sitting on eggshells, but as the test progressed and when we got into the canter, I could ride him more and more.”

As anticipated, Klimke (GER) produced a beautifully ridden, accurate test on Horseware Hale Bob, which was only marred by a few moments of tension, notably in the walk. The ever good-humoured German Olympian, who took “Bobby” draghunting as a young horse, explained that he had suddenly heard the hounds in the Duke of Beaufort’s hunt kennels on the Badminton estate.

“He was really opening up at the start, with a lovely shoulder in, and I had a big smile on my face,” she said. “But then he heard the dogs and I had to tell him ‘come on, we’re not hunting’! But it’s good that he’s excited, because he needs to be awake tomorrow for the Cross Country.”

Klimke added: “I’m looking forward to it and don’t feel there is any particular problem fence. My horse has scope and is neat on his feet and well balanced. We’re definitely going for it.”

Riders have been weighing up Giuseppe della Chiesa’s (ITA) Cross Country course, which last year claimed such notable scalps as Nicholson, Fox-Pitt, Sir Mark Todd (NZL), Pippa Funnell (GBR) and Mary King (GBR). As is traditional, the direction has been reversed this year so that it runs anti-clockwise, the route riders tend to prefer, and the general perception is that the intensity has been reduced.

However, the Italian designer, only the fourth in Badminton’s 66-year history, has still set some of the difficult lines for which he is renowned.

The riders will have been carefully assessing the big brush corners at the ISH Studbook Huntsman’s Close (fence 8), which were so influential in 2014, the cunningly placed logs on undulating ground at the Swindon Designer Outlet Mound (15-16), the tricky carved hedges at the Mirage Pond (18), the choice of rolltops at the Shogun Hollow (22) and the curving line through three silver birch rails at fences 25-26, the complex named after Badminton’s official charity, Sense.

“The course is a little bit kinder than last year, with not as many combinations, but you can’t get away from the fact it is still big, it’s still Badminton, and there’s no room for error anywhere,” said the seasoned Kristina Cook (GBR), who is lying 11th on De Novo News.

“There is so much history at Badminton. I rode here when I was 21, many years ago. I was completely terrified then. I’ve had some amazing rides here, and I have also fallen off a few times as well, but that is the respect Badminton needs. Only the best come here.”

Find the start list, drawn order, rider biographies and live results on www.badminton-horse.co.uk, and watch the full Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials live on FEI TV: www.feitv.org.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics and #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials Media Contact:

Julian Seaman
J.Seaman2@sky.com
+44 7831 515736

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Nicholson and Nereo Strike Out in Front

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Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Nereo take a commanding lead after the first day of Dressage at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, fourth leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Jon Stroud/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 7 May 2015 – Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Libby Sellar’s Nereo produced the best test of their long and illustrious career together to take the lead after the first day of Dressage at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, fourth leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

The Ground Jury, Christian Landolt (SUI), Sue Baxter (GBR) and David Lee (IRL), gave Nicholson the only sub-40 score, 37.8, to put him 3.4 penalties ahead of his compatriot Jock Paget (NZL), who scored 41.2 on the 2013 winner Clifton Promise.

The youngest rider in the field, 20-year-old Niklas Bschorer (GER), who wasn’t even born when Nicholson’s Badminton career began in 1984, has made a stunning debut and is in third place on Tom Tom Go 3 with a mark of 42.1.

Flora Harris (GBR), a member of Britain’s World Class Performance Potential squad, is best of the home side in fourth place on the grey mare Amazing Vlll on 43.6, just ahead of four-time winner Sir Mark Todd (NZL) on the German-bred Leonidas ll, fifth. Pippa Funnell (GBR) is currently in sixth place on the upstanding chestnut Redesigned.

Nicholson’s empathetic 11-year partnership with the 15-year-old Nereo is one of the most enduring in the sport; the Spanish-bred chestnut gelding by the Thoroughbred Fines is something of a “one-man horse” and a shy, polite character, “but is always on your side.”

“It’s the smoothest test he’s done,” said Nicholson. “He let me be quite bold on him and I just think today the test flowed more smoothly.

“Obviously it’s a major factor coming there with a horse I understand so fully and that’s a satisfying achievement in itself. He likes to work with you, and you know that he will go in the arena and not look around and will give you 100 per cent.”

Nicholson, 53, has won eight CCI4*s, including Pau in 2012 on Nereo, but victory at Badminton has, frustratingly, eluded him – the closest he came was second place on Lord Killinghurst in 2004 and third in 2013 on Nereo. “All my focus is on this,” he promised.

Paget has been competing the 17-year-old NZ Thoroughbred Clifton Promise for eight years, and he agreed: “You do all the work, you train, train, train, and it is nice when you go in there and they do it for you. Every foot went where I wanted; he was a pleasure to ride.”

Bschorer, who moved to England aged 16 to work with the German team trainer Christopher Bartle at his Yorkshire Riding Centre, did not appear to be at all fazed by being in the limelight at his first Badminton.

After walking the Cross Country with Bartle and his trainer Sir Mark Todd, the young rider pronounced Giuseppe della Chiesa’s (ITA) track to be: “More inviting than last year and very do-able.” He said that his mount, a 12-year-old Holsteiner, “is a very good jumper and has lots of scope.”

But before attention turns to Saturday’s excitements, there is plenty to look forward to tomorrow. Today’s top-placed riders may well be challenged by leading German riders Bettina Hoy on Designer 10 and Ingrid Klimke on her Pau winner Horseware Hale Bob, while the home side boasts 2014 runner-up Oliver Townend (GBR) on Armada, triple winner Pippa Funnell on her other ride, Second Supreme, and William Fox-Pitt on the impressive stallion Chilli Morning.

Find the start list, drawn order, rider biographies and live results on www.badminton-horse.co.uk, and watch the full Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials live on FEI TV: www.feitv.org.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics and #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials Media Contact:

Julian Seaman
J.Seaman2@sky.com
+44 7831 515736

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Nicholson and Avebury Are Simply the Best at Burghley

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Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Avebury who have won the Land Rover Burhley Horse Trials, last leg of the FEI Classics™, for the third consecutive time. (Trevor Holt/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 7 September 2014 – There was a fairytale ending to the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials when New Zealander Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and his delightful grey gelding Avebury made history with a third successive victory at this always challenging British CCI4*.

The legendary New Zealander also sprang into a bonus fourth place in the FEI Classics™, although William Fox-Pitt’s (GBR) position at the head of the leaderboard never looked in doubt. His fourth place at Burghley with a beautiful clear Jumping round on Bay My Hero was enough to clinch the title for the fourth time since the series began in 2008.

When Sam Griffiths (AUS) and Happy Times hit two fences to drop a place to third and Oliver Townend dropped from overnight third to eighth with an unfortunate four rails down on Armada, Nicholson was left a two-rail breathing space over Jock Paget (NZL) and Clifton Promise who had jumped an immaculate clear that was to bring them up into the runner-up spot.

However, Mark and Rosemary Barlow’s intelligent grey seemed to know exactly what he had to do, and Nicholson coolly kept him in the perfect outline and rhythm to jump clear for just two time faults.

“I can assure you that I didn’t feel that cool!” said Nicholson, who admitted to feeling the strain. “He’s a good jumper but I knew I’d got to keep calm and confident. It was tempting to speed up at the last two fences, because I knew I was heading for time faults, but I decided to stay in a rhythm because I really wanted to win with a clear round.”

He added: “This isn’t just about me; it’s about the team at home – I’m just lucky enough to ride the horse. I’ve had a bad year – I shouldn’t have fallen off at Badminton and then I really wanted to win a medal in Normandy and didn’t – so I’ve put myself under a lot of pressure. Winning this means an awful lot.”

Three horses were withdrawn before the Jumping phase including, unfortunately, Hannah Sue Burnett’s Harbour Pilot, from seventh place, and one was eliminated at the final Horse Inspection, first-timer Roo Fox’s (GBR) Fleet Street.

There were 14 clear Jumping rounds from the 38 finishers, with Australia’s Murray Lampard finishing best of the 17 first-timers in 10th place on Under the Clocks. Gemma Tattersall, a stalwart member of Britain’s FEI Nations Cup™ squad, was the second best of the home side, rising 22 places after Dressage to finish fifth on Arctic Soul.

The Badminton winner Sam Griffiths, who has been established in Britain for many years and was competing in his eighth CCI4* on the 15-year-old Happy Times, finished second in the FEI Classics™ from Oliver Townend, the 2009 winner, who slipped a place to third. Tim Price (NZL), the Luhmühlen winner, hung on for fifth place behind Andrew Nicholson, just edging out the Adelaide winner Christopher Burton (AUS).

“It was fantastic to win again,” said Fox-Pitt. “It’s all down to my horses. Seacookie got it off to a great start at Pau last year and Bay My Hero was brilliant at Kentucky. But then I had a fall at Badminton and withdrew Cool Mountain at Luhmuehlen and it was all looking a bit patchy. The FEI Classics™ is a great addition to our sport.”

About the Burghley winner

Andrew Nicholson (NZL), 53, has long been acknowledged as one of the most hard-working and naturally talented horsemen in Eventing. The current world number two first came to England 34 years ago as a 19-year-old to work with racehorses. His first CCI4* was Badminton in 1984 where he earned a place on the first ever New Zealand Olympic team, at Los Angeles.

He went on to ride at five more Olympic Games, winning team silver in 1992 and team bronzes in 1996 and 2012, where he finished fourth individually on Nereo. He also won team gold at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 1990 on another horse owned by Rosemary Barlow, Spinning Rhombus.

Andrew has won numerous CCIs – this is his fifth Burghley win, and his third in a row on Avebury, following victories in 1995 on Buckley Province and 2000 on Mr Smiffy. He has also won three other CCI4*s: Pau in 2012 on Nereo, Kentucky in 2013 on Quimbo and Luhmuehlen in 2013 on Mr Cruise Control.

His fifth Burghley win equals the record of Mark Todd (NZL) and Ginny Elliot (GBR). New Zealand riders have won Burghley 13 times since 1987.

Andrew is married to Wiggy, who rode Avebury as a novice; he has two adult daughters, Rebecca and Melissa, and two young children, Lily and Zach. They live near Marlborough, Wiltshire.

About the winning horse

Andrew Nicholson bred the 14-year-old Avebury from Jumbo, a stallion he competed to CCI3* level, and a racing-bred thoroughbred mare Memento (formerly Bairn Free). Avebury is named after ancient earthworks near the Nicholsons’ home. He is the only horse in history to win a CCI4* three times in a row – Kimberly Severson’s Winsome Adante has won Kentucky three times, though not consecutively – and only the second CCI4* winner bred by the rider (following Mary King’s Kings Temptress, winner of Kentucky in 2011).

About the FEI Classics™ winner

William Fox-Pitt, 45, has won 52 CCIs, including a record 13 CCI4*s: Badminton (2004), Burghley six times (1994, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011), Luhmuehlen (2008), Kentucky three times (2010, 2012 and 2014) and Pau twice (2011 and 2013). He is the only rider to have won five out of the world’s six CCI4*s.

Fox-Pitt is the current world no 1 and this is his fourth FEI Classics™ title since the series started in 2008; he also headed the leaderboard in 2008, 2010 and 2012.

He has also represented Britain 18 times in championships, most recently winning world team silver and individual bronze on Chilli Morning last weekend at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA). His medal tally includes Olympic silver (2004 and 2012) and bronze (2008), world team gold and individual silver on Cool Mountain (2010) plus team silver in 2006 and team bronze in 2002. He has six European team gold medals, one team bronze, two individual silvers (1997 and 2005) and individual bronze last year on Chilli Morning.

Fox-Pitt is married to Alice, a television racing commentator. They live near Sturminster Newton, Dorset, and have two sons, Oliver and Thomas, a daughter Chloe and another baby due this month.

Full results on www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

See full standings here.

Prize money

At the end of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected across the six FEI Classics™ events will share a total prize fund of US$120,000 split as follows: 1st – US$40,000 (Series Champion); 2nd – US$35,000; 3rd – US$25,000; 4th – US$15,000; 5th – US$5,000.

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

Our signature Twitter hashtags for this series are #Classics and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #FEI Classics™ #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Media Contacts:

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Burghley:

Carole Pendle
Press Officer Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials
+44 7768 462 601
cpendle@brand-rapport.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., Show Jumping

History Is Made as Andrew Nicholson Claims Hat-Trick of Burghley Horse Trials

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Photo: ROLEX.

Avebury is the first horse in the history of the competition to win three times in succession

(Burghley, UK, 7 September 2014) Andrew Nicholson (NZL), riding Avebury, today Sunday 7 May 2014, made history and produced a thrilling and faultless ride to win the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials for the third consecutive year. Jonathan Paget (NZL) riding Clifton Promise was in 2nd place and Sam Griffiths (AUS) riding Happy Times came in 3rd place.

New Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ‘Live Contender’

As the winner of the 2014 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Andrew Nicholson is now the new ‘live contender’ for the prestigious Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing accolade. Nicholson will now target the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and try and win the next stage of the three leg phase to become the second ever rider to have won this exceptional award.

Results after the final Show Jumping Phase

1. Andrew Nicholson / Avebury (NZL) 48.1
2. Jonathan Paget / Clifton Promise (NZL) 55.2
3. Sam Griffiths / Happy Times (AUS) 57.8
4. William Fox-Pitt / Bay My Hero (GBR) 60.3
5. Gemma Tattersall / Arctic Soul (GBR) 64.2
6. Bill Levett / Improvise (AUS) 65.9
7. Izzy Taylor / Kbis Briarlands Matilda (GBR) 67.5
8. Oliver Townend / Armada (GBR) 71.1
9. Jonelle Price / The Deputy (NZL) 71.1
10. Murray Lamperd / Under The Clocks (AUS) 79.0

With just 12 clear rounds from the 39 riders that started the final show jumping phase, Nicholson entered the arena knowing he needed a good performance in order to be crowned the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials victor and become the new Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ‘live contender’.

Despite the perfect weather conditions and good ground, the 580 meter course, created by acclaimed Course Designer Richard Jeffrey, proved tricky for the morning’s competitors, after yesterday’s adrenaline-charged cross-country course with only three clear rounds between them. In the afternoon session, Jonathan Paget produced a faultless round, putting the pressure on Sam Griffiths. A few unlucky touches resulted in eight faults for the Badminton winner, knocking him into third place and allowing Paget to move into second.

The atmosphere was tense with silence falling amongst the crowd for Nicholson’s round. Avebury was looking full of energy as they entered the ring, 13 jumps away from making history and becoming the first horse and rider combination to win the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials consecutively over three years. The packed grandstands went wild as the established partnership neatly jumped over the final double, producing a clear round and claiming victory at Burghley once more.

Rider Quotes

Andrew Nicholson riding Avebury: “I didn’t feel that cool during that, I can tell you. He’s a good jumper; he’s been there and done it all. I don’t have to worry about him getting nervous with all the people; I just have to keep calm and ride him like I normally ride him. It’s a big team effort when you have a horse like this who has now won this three times in a row; they’re as passionate as I am that he does well. For me, I’ve had a very bad year this year; I threw away Badminton on Nereo, and I shouldn’t have fallen off when I did. The World Equestrian Games – I was ninth when I wanted to get a medal so I’ve been putting quite a lot of pressure on him to win here. Hopefully I will be able to go to Kentucky and go for the Rolex Grand Slam but I am a little light on horses at the moment, so we will assess in February and see how we are going.”

Sam Griffiths riding Happy Times: “I always knew the last line was going to be difficult for this horse, he had a rail down early on and apart from that I don’t think he touched a fence, so yeah, I was quite disappointed to come out two down. It’s a very tense atmosphere; the horses have to be so good after jumping round that course yesterday. I really wanted to try and win for him here; he really deserves a four star win.”

Jonathan Paget riding Clifton Promise: “I was very happy with him jumping clear. He’s pretty seasoned and knows his job pretty well; he was very cool and calm throughout the whole thing which makes my job easy to guide him round. I’m very happy with my horse; he’s performed for me like he normally does, you know; he went in and we had fun together.”

For more information on the 2014 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing

In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This prize is awarded to the rider who manages to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials event in any consecutive order. Until now, only British rider Pippa Funnell has managed this staggering achievement, winning the title in 2003.

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
team@revolutionsports.co.uk
www.revolutionsports.co.uk

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Avebury Is the Star of Burghley Again

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Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Avebury complete a superb Cross Country round to take the lead at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014. (Trevor Holt/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 6 September 2014 – Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Avebury, one of the most brilliant partnerships in Eventing, have swept into the lead after the Cross Country phase at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), climax of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014, with a trademark display of fluency and accuracy that was a joy to watch.

The pair, winners of the last two Burghleys, brought an action-packed day to an uplifting end with their masterful, economic clear, the fastest of the day. They were only 14 seconds over the optimum time of 11 minutes 19 seconds, and one of only three combinations to finish with time penalties in single figures.

However, Nicholson, who has risen from fourth place after Dressage to take the overnight lead, has no margin for error in tomorrow’s Jumping final. He does not have a fence in hand over Sam Griffiths (AUS), who is lying second after setting the early standard with a superb round on the veteran CCI4* campaigner, Happy Times. Oliver Townend (GBR) is third after a great ride with another renowned Cross Country horse, Nicholson’s former ride Armada.

The 14-year-old Avebury, a horse Nicholson bred himself by the Irish Draught/thoroughbred Jumbo out of a thoroughbred mare, Memento, is quite a character and tends to have likings for particular venues – he has won the CIC3* at Barbury (GBR) three times in succession, for instance.

“Just to come here three years running on the same horse is amazing, let alone having the chance to win again,” said Nicholson. “He’s got a great competitive attitude and he loves the crowds. I set off quite conservatively on him because I knew I had a bit in hand but he really prefers it if I ride him like I stole him. He’s a fun horse to ride fast and he loves it when I turn him tightly.”

Sam Griffiths (AUS), who headed the leaderboard right until the end of the day, was held twice on course, at five-and-a-half minutes and then again on the downhill run home through Winner’s Avenue. “I was having a cracking round when I was stopped the first time,” said Griffiths.

“I admit I was quite pleased to have a stop, but it did break our rhythm both times. But the crowd was amazing, sharing bottles of water and encouraging me. It’s the longest Cross Country round of my life, but it still feels good to jump clear round Burghley.”

Townend, the last rider to achieve the Badminton-Burghley double, in 2009, said of Armada, his Badminton runner-up this year: “We all know what a wonderful Cross Country horse he is. If you put him in the right place at the right pace, he’ll always help you, but I found it very noticeable how soon I found myself behind the time today.”

A deceptive humidity in the air plus subtle changes to Mark Phillips’s track meant the optimum time of 11min 19sec was impossible to achieve and it took riders a while to work out the most economic routes on his new twisting lines.

Dressage leader Jock Paget (NZL) produced a determined clear on Clifton Promise but he took a long route, as planned, at the Land Rover Dairy Farm (fence 20), as well as an unplanned circle at the Trout Hatchery and was as surprised as anyone when he stopped the clock with 16.4 time penalties to drop to fourth.

“I think the Trout Hatchery might have cost me the win,” said Paget reflectively. “I planned to go straight, but he did a little jink, rather like a half-pass, and I was suddenly facing the wrong way. I looked at my watch at fence 27 and when I saw 11 minutes I thought ‘you’re kidding me’. But I couldn’t have come home any faster – the horse gave me his all.”

Izzy Taylor (GBR), one of Britain’s best Cross Country riders, had the joint fourth fastest time of 11.2 penalties on the little mare KBIS Briarlands Matilda and has risen seven places to fifth. “It wasn’t beautiful – in fact it was a bit hairy,” she said. “It’s a busy, twisting course, but the going was great.”

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and the lovely Irish-bred gelding Bay My Hero, the Dressage runners-up, had a couple of green moments and were then held in front of the Stamford Station, an imposing white oxer at fence 27. They eventually finished with 20.8 time penalties and are in sixth place.

The USA’s Hannah Sue Burnett rode a neat round on Harbour Pilot and is now best of the 17 Burghley first-timers in seventh, an improvement of seven places after Dressage.

There were 36 clear rounds from the 63 starters and 42 completions.

Andrew Hoy, lying fifth after Dressage on Rutherglen, was arguably going as well as anyone and was especially neat with his line through the Trout Hatchery (fences 13 and 14) but then decided to pull up at the far end of the course in front of fence 21.

Alison Springer and Arthur, sixth, dropped to 20th with a run-out at the open corner at the Maltings (fence 18) and Aoife Clarke (IRL), seventh, had a rather erratic ride on Vaguely North which ended with a fall at the Stamford Station.

Luhmühlen winner Tim Price was unshipped when Ringwood Sky Boy hit one of the airy hurdle fences, a nod to the late Lord Burghley’s career as an Olympic hurdler, that comprised an influential new “slalom” question in the main arena at fence 4.

Sarah Bullimore (Valentino V), the trailblazer and American rider Marilyn Little (RF Demeter), 10th after Dressage, were both given 21 penalties for breaking a frangible fence.

Tragically, Sara Squires’ (GBR) horse Orto was euthanized in the veterinary clinic after hitting his stifle at fence 19. Three riders were taken to hospital: Natalie Blundell (AUS) and Gina Ruck (GBR) with suspected broken legs and Neil Spratt (NZL) for a precautionary examination.

Complete results http://www.bdwp.co.uk/bur/14/.

Follow all the action with live scoring on www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

See full standings here.

Prize money

At the end of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected across the six FEI Classics™ events will share a total prize fund of US$120,000 split as follows: 1st – US$40,000 (Series Champion); 2nd – US$35,000; 3rd – US$25,000; 4th – US$15,000; 5th – US$5,000.

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

Our signature Twitter hashtags for this series are #Classics and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #FEI Classics™ #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Media Contacts:

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Burghley:

Carole Pendle
Press Officer Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials
+44 7768 462 601
cpendle@brand-rapport.com

Competitions, Eventing/H.T.

Andrew Nicholson on Course for a Burghley Horse Trials Hat Trick

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Sam Griffiths, current Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing contender, in second place

(Burghley, UK, 6 September 2014) Andrew Nicholson (NZL) riding Avebury lies in 1st place at the 2014 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials after today’s cross-country. Current Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ‘live contender’ Sam Griffiths (AUS) riding Happy Times is lying in 2nd place with Great Britain’s Oliver Townend riding Armada in 3rd place.

The course, designed by Captain Mark Philips, proved tricky following a misty start to the cross-county phase of the competition at Burghley House in Stamford, Lincolnshire. Horses from 11 nations spanning Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, USA and the UK competed with the undulating ground for the substantial £62,000 first prize.

24 horses were either eliminated or retired on the 6,420 meter course. Despite the good ground conditions the water elements in particular proved tough for many of the horse and rider partnerships, resulting in the 11 minute 19 second optimum time proving elusive. Current Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ‘live contender’ Sam Griffiths took an early lead, despite being held twice on the course, and is now lying in second after setting a highly competitive score that only eventing legend, Andrew Nicholson was able to match.

Rider Quotes:

Andrew Nicholson riding Avebury: “I thought it went really well; the conditions were perfect. All I can do is ride to the best of my ability and all Avebury can do is jump to the best of his. He just has such a dependable and competitive attitude; he can deal with the terrain pretty easily and he loves the crowds. They seem to get closer every year and this year they were noisier than normal which most horses get nervous with, but he loves it. This is one of the best partnerships I’ve had. He’s very consistent; he comes out with the goods and hopefully he will tomorrow.”

Sam Griffiths riding Happy Times: “Burghley is such a prestigious event; it’s one of our Majors. It’s part of the Rolex Grand Slam which includes Badminton and Kentucky over in the States; it’s one we all want to win and with the Rolex Grand Slam in mind it’s one of our major events that we definitely want to win.”

Oliver Townend riding Armada: “It wasn’t spectacular; everybody knows Armada is a fantastic cross-country horse but with that comes pressure on yourself to make sure he’s in the right place. The best he does in the show jumping is usually two down so we’ll go out there and do our best tomorrow.”

Jonathan Paget riding Clifton Promise: “I had to change my plan at the water which cost me a bit of time. My horse was very honest and jumped all the jumps. Watching some of the other horses I think they set out a bit too fast and ran out of horse on the way home. I didn’t want to be in the position where I was chasing a tired horse home. I was careful in the beginning to not waste too much energy but maybe I should’ve just cut through the short lines. In previous years in the show jumping I’ve had a pole down; I can’t afford to do that tomorrow but if I had to pick a horse for show jumping it would be him.”

William Fox-Pitt riding Bay My Hero: “I was delighted with my horse; he really did try hard. It was hard work out there; it’s a very twisty track to ride. The conditions were really, really humid and I think it’s been tough for the horses – they needed cooling down before they’d even started! Where you can usually whizz along down the hill towards the end they were plugging along, it certainly wasn’t a recovery period of the track that it usually is. He’s usually a good jumper but I think today has taken a lot out of him; it’ll be interesting to see how he comes out tomorrow but he will try his best.”

Izzy Taylor riding Kbis Briarlands Matilda: “The conditions are really good; the horses are tiring but that’s because of the way the course is laid out; it’s not a pretty cross-county course; you have to be effective to get round and we did that. The ground is perfect; it’s not too hard. I’m really thrilled with my horse. The combinations were tricky but you just need to be very alert and very sharp and make it happen.”

Hannah Sue Burnett riding Harbour Pilot: “I’ve been so nervous this week, more nervous than ever before. The course rode extremely fast. After the combinations it felt pretty good; he was jumping fantastically. I was watching some other rounds and quite a lot of people at the Dairy Mound were jumping down the bank, which I didn’t expect at all because I thought that would take a lot more time, but I stuck to my plan and took the short way there. He actually accelerated up the hill to the last fence. I was like ‘Is this really happening?!’ He actually pulled both hind shoes; I didn’t notice until I went to the goose which is like the scariest jump on the course because it’s so upright and they’re so tired – he’s the best horse in the world!”

For more information on the 2014 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

A New Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Contender

Having won the 2014 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, Sam Griffiths (AUS) is the current live contender for the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Prize worth US$350,000. To win the prize, he will need to repeat his success from Badminton and claim a win at this year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. If he can complete this immense challenge, he will go forward to the 2015 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, with a win making him only the second person to be a Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Champion, joining Pippa Funnell.

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing

In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This prize is awarded to the rider who manages to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials event in any consecutive order. Until now, only British rider Pippa Funnell has managed this staggering achievement, winning the title in 2003.

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
team@revolutionsports.co.uk
www.revolutionsports.co.uk

Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day, Revolution Sports

Allison Springer (USA) Leads the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event after Dressage

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1st – Allison Springer and Arthur.

(USA, 25 April 2014) Allison Springer (USA) riding Arthur, today Friday 25 April 2014, is the current leader after the Dressage phase, with William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Bay My Hero in 2nd place, and Lauren Kieffer (USA) riding Veronica in 3rd place at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, in Lexington.

Results after Dressage Phase:

1. Allison Springer/Arthur (USA) 39.5
2. William Fox-Pitt/Bay My Hero (GBR) 44.0
3. Lauren Kieffer/Veronica (USA) 46.7
4=. Jan Byyny/Inmidair (USA) 49.5
4=. Phillip Dutton/Mr Medicott 49.5
4=. Michael Pollard/Mensa G (USA) 49.5
7. Will Faudree/Pawlow (USA) 49.8
8. Doug Payne/Crown Talisman (USA) 51.2
9. Marilyn Little/RF Demeter (USA) 51.3
10. William Fox-Pitt/Seacookie TSF (GBR) 51.5

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Current Contender

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) has travelled to the Kentucky Horse Park as the new Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ‘live contender’ and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event defending champion. This follows the news announced on 23 April 2014 that last year’s winner of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Jonathan Paget (NZL), has officially been disqualified following a “partial decision” by the sport’s governing body Tribunal. As a result of Paget’s disqualification, Andrew Nicholson and Avebury have now been promoted and are the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2013 winners.

All eyes are now on Nicholson to see if he can repeat the form he demonstrated in 2013, by winning the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, which will put him one competition away from the coveted USD $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Prize. Nicholson is competing in Kentucky on his grey gelding Avebury and is currently lying in joint 11th place after the Dressage phase on a score of 51.7.

Quote from Allison Springer (USA) (link to audio of full post-event press conference below):

Q. Allison – how does it feel to be back with Arthur?

We know each other well. As a competitor he has given me most of my mileage so I have learned to be a little bit more relaxed and understanding with him and he was pretty wild when I rode him at lunchtime – I thought, uh oh, I’m in a little bit of trouble here, but you just have to do the best job you can. It’s emotional; it’s been a big year and it’s emotional to have my horse back and strong and feeling great.

2nd - William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero
2nd – William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero

Quote from William Fox-Pitt (GBR) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. William – Bay May Hero – what a lovely horse – thoughts on that test?

He is a cool horse; he’s such a fun horse to ride and one that’s always on your side. You go in there and that atmosphere and that crowd in there was fantastic – you need a horse that’s good and he really tried.

It was a huge relief to get a 44 (as the scores have all been so high) and delighted with how he went. There were a couple of rusty moments as he hasn’t had a big day out for a while – I’m really excited.

Quotes from Lauren Kieffer (USA) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. Lauren – competing in just your second Rolex – how does it feel this time?

I’ve been riding Veronica for about a year now and it’s definitely a different mind-set this time around – I came to give a shot at it and there is a lot to do tomorrow – it certainly won’t be a dressage show, but I’m happy with how it went today.

Quotes from Andrew Nicholson (NZL), currently live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing:

Q. Andrew – how did you feel the test went for you?

It wasn’t as good as he is on grass – I thought he might be a bit like this on this surface [all weather] – grass gives him a little bit more balance. I was having to ride him a bit more strongly in there to keep him looking half active. But he’s good. I know he can do better than that.

Q. So you are currently within five points of the leaders?

If they stay scoring that for the last few and if I can finish on that, then I think I can probably win!

3rd - Lauren Kieffer and Veronica
3rd – Lauren Kieffer and Veronica

Copyright Free Audio

Please click on the following links for copyright free audio of the post-event Press Conference after Dressage Day Two with the top three placed riders:
http://po.st/0n8oIY

For more information on the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.rk3de.org.

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing

In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This trophy is awarded to the rider who manages to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials event in any consecutive order. Until now, only British rider Pippa Funnell has managed this staggering achievement, winning the title in 2003.

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
team@revolutionsports.co.uk
www.revolutionsports.co.uk

Eventing/H.T., FEI

Andrew Nicholson Celebrates Second $50,000 HSBC Rankings Bonus

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Andrew Nicholson, HSBC Rankings leader at the end of the 2013 Eventing season, was presented with a silver salver by HSBC Sponsorship Manager Kate Fullam at the London International Horse Show at Olympia. (Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton)

Lausanne (SUI), 22 December 2013 – New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson has collected his second consecutive US$50,000 bonus after an extraordinary 2013 Eventing season as uninterrupted leader of the HSBC Rankings.

Nicholson was first awarded the HSBC bonus last year after retaining the top spot in the world Eventing rankings since the London 2012 Olympic Games in Greenwich Park, where he led the bronze medal winning team and secured New Zealand’s first medal of the Games.

The 52-year-old, born and raised in Te Awamutu on New Zealand’s North Island and based in Great Britain since1980, has now held the HSBC Rankings lead for 19 consecutive months and also won the HSBC FEI Classics.

He will also end the 2013 Eventing season as leader of the British Eventing Rankings for the 15th time in his career, with Luhmühlen winner Mr Cruise Control and Pau winner Nereo, who last month was crowned Eventing horse of the year by the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses, occupying first and second places.

“This is a great honour, and it doesn’t get more special than this,” Andrew Nicholson said today, after being presented with a silver salver by HSBC’s Sponsorship Manager Kate Fullam at Olympia, The London International Horse Show (GBR).

“I’m very grateful to HSBC, which has helped raise the profile of top-level Eventing massively. The competition is a lot fiercer now right from the beginning of the season because of the focus on world ranking points. Thanks to Nereo, Mr Cruise Control, Avebury, Calico Joe and Quimbo and my team at home, we’ve pulled it off again, and I’m now focusing on the 2014 Eventing season, the World Equestrian Games and of course Rio.”

Giles Morgan, HSBC Group Head of Sponsorship & Events, commented: “On behalf of HSBC I would like to congratulate Andrew on ending the Eventing season as the leading rider in the HSBC World Rankings. This, along with his victory in the 2013 HSBC FEI Classics series, is testament to Andrew’s talent and his commitment to the sport. We wish all the riders the best of luck for next season.”

“HSBC has made a tremendous contribution to global Eventing during its partnership with the FEI, helping to propel the sport onto a mainstream stage,” said Ingmar De Vos, FEI Secretary General. “As well as supporting the highest level of Eventing as title sponsor of the HSBC FEI Classics for six successful years, HSBC has helped young riders at grass roots level to develop skills enabling them to come up through the ranks to compete internationally, and this positive impact on the sport will be felt for many years to come.”

HSBC became title sponsor of the Eventing Rider Rankings in 2008. The HSBC Rankings are run on a rolling 12-month basis. In July 2011, HSBC announced a new initiative to reward the leading rider at the end of the season with a US$50,000 bonus and Great Britain’s Mary King was the first to celebrate this windfall.

The December HSBC Rankings will be published on 27 December here.

HSBC concludes its partnership with the FEI at the end of 2013. The FEI is currently evaluating partners and possibilities for the highly popular FEI Classics series and wider events including the FEI’s first team series, FEI Nations Cup Eventing.

Media contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45