Tag Archives: HSBC FEI Classics

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Michael Jung Takes Control at Luhmühlen Again

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Michael Jung (GER) secures Cross Country win on Leopin FST at HSBC FEI Classics in Luhmühlen (Photo: Peter Nixon/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 16 June 2012 – Michael Jung (GER) rode a copybook Cross Country round on Leopin FST at Luhmühlen (GER), the penultimate leg of the HSBC FEI Classics, and is now in line for a third major victory at the venue which launched his stellar career.

He won here in 2009, his first attempt at CCI4* level, on La Biosthetique Sam, the horse he is likely to partner at the Olympics, and the pair went on to capture the FEI World Cup Eventing final and the European bronze medal that year, before becoming world champions in 2010 and European champions in 2011 at Luhmühlen.

“I had a little problem at the first water complex when Leopin landed steeply over the boat fence, but apart from that he was really good,” said Jung. “We are more together as a partnership than we used to be. I’ve been riding him across country in a double bridle and that has been much better.”

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Lucinda Fredericks Gets Off to Flying Start at Luhmühlen

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Lucinda Fredericks and the 10-year-old Flying Finish lead the field at Luhmühlen (GER), penultimate leg of the HSBC FEI Classics, best of six sub-40 combinations after the Dressage. (Photo: Peter Nixon/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 15 June 2012 – Lucinda Fredericks (AUS) produced a brilliant Dressage test on Flying Finish, a newcomer at CCI4* level, to head the field of 44 after the first day at Luhmühlen (GER), penultimate leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

The Ground Jury of Jennie Loriston-Clarke (GBR), Christina Klingspor (SWE) and Christoph Hess (GER) awarded her the excellent score of 31.8, one of six to come in under the 40 barrier.

Fredericks has a one-penalty lead over the 2009 winner and current world and European champion Michael Jung (GER), best of the home side on CCI4* first-timer Leopin. Andrew Nicholson (NZL), the only rider who can overtake HSBC FEI Classics leader William Fox-Pitt at this stage, is in close contention in third place with Mr Cruise Control.

Andrew Hoy (AUS) on Rutherglen, last year’s winner Andreas Dibowski (GER), on FRH Butts Avedon, and Oliver Townend (GBR), who conjured a best ever CCI4* mark from new ride Armada, a horse that can be explosive in this phase, also scored sub-40 marks.

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Top Riders Chase Fox-Pitt’s Target at Luhmühlen

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Andrew Nicholson (NZL) with Mr Cruise Control. Photo: Kit Houghton

Many of the world’s top riders are heading to Luhmühlen in Germany for the penultimate leg of the HSBC FEI Classics, where they will be trying to reduce the significant lead established by William Fox-Pitt (GBR), winner of Pau last year and Kentucky in April.

Fox-Pitt misses Luhmühlen after a double of wins in Bramham last weekend. The Briton has as a 14-point lead over New Zealander Andrew Nicholson, the only rider that can overhaul Fox-Pitt this weekend before the 2012 series ends in a fiercely contested finale at Burghley (August 30 – September 2).

The other rider who can come close at Luhmühlen is the highly successful American Boyd Martin, who is travelling over from the USA with Remington XXV, the 16-year-old Hanoverian. Martin is currently sixth in the HSBC FEI Classics rankings after a great Rolex Kentucky performance for third place on Otis Barbotiere.

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HSBC FEI Classics 2012: Fox-Pitt Clocks Another Kentucky Victory

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William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk powered to victory in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics, and the British rider is now in line for the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam if he can win at Badminton next weekend. (Photo: Amy Dragoo/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 29 April 2012 – William Fox-Pitt (GBR) won his 11th CCI4* and yet another prized Rolex watch when he held his nerve in the tense final minutes of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) presented by Bridgestone, the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

Fox-Pitt, the leader after Cross Country on Catherine Witt’s talented New Zealand Thoroughbred Parklane Hawk, appeared to have been handed a lifeline when overnight runner-up Allison Springer (USA) and Arthur hit a rail, but then Parklane Hawk had one down as well and Fox-Pitt was left with no margin for error.

But the current leader of both the HSBC FEI Classics and the HSBC Rider Rankings is famed for keeping calm in a tight situation. And Fox-Pitt will certainly need to draw on those renowned reserves of cool this week for he now heads to Badminton in the tantalising, yet pressurised, position of having won two out of three legs of the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam.

This elusive prize, to the rider who can win Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley in succession, has only been won once before, by Pippa Funnell (GBR) in 2003.

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HSBC FEI Classics 2012: Fox-Pitt Poised to Swoop at Kentucky

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William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Parklane Hawk lead after thrilling Cross Country day at HSBC FEI Classics in Kentucky. Image: Amy Dragoo/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 28 April 2012 – A thrilling finale is guaranteed to the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) presented by Bridgestone, the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics, following a thrilling Cross Country day which has left the top three riders within a Jumping fence of each other.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Parklane Hawk have moved up a place and now have a slender advantage over Dressage leaders Alison Springer (USA) and Arthur, who clocked 3.2 time penalties across the country, and New Zealander Jonathan Paget who is lying third on Clifton Promise.

Fox-Pitt, who won the event in 2010 on Cool Mountain, put in an exhibition round to finish seven seconds inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 14 seconds. “I was aware the course was causing problems, but you have to believe that you’re riding a good horse with good form,” he said afterwards.

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HSBC FEI Classics 2012: Springer and Arthur Work Their Magic to Lead Dressage at Kentucky

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Allison Springer (USA) and Arthur were the only combination to break the 40-point barrier to lead the field at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, third leg of the HSBC Classics series. (Photo: Amy Dragoo/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 28 April 2012 – American rider Alison Springer and Arthur have taken the lead after Dressage with the only sub-40 mark at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) presented by Bridgestone, the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

The duo are well-known exponents of the art of Dressage and can always be relied upon to produce a beautiful test at this level, but the elegant chestnut gelding also has a tendency to suffer from nerves.

Springer, a Kentucky regular, explained: “I’ve tried to bring a different attitude this year, not putting as much pressure on myself. He’s never going to be a relaxed horse, but I am working on figuring out what I need to do to keep him calm and confident. I haven’t figured it all yet but he’s a good horse and I am excited about the partnership I can have with him.”

Commenting on the Derek di Grazia designed Cross Country, Springer said: “It’s a tough course. Last year, I had a tremendous ride. I know what I need to do to produce my best tomorrow. Hopefully, I can make good decisions.”

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FEI TV Live in Kentucky for HSBC FEI Classics 2012

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Lausanne (SUI), 26 April 2012 – FEI TV, the official FEI video platform, is LIVE from Kentucky (USA) for the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012.

The live action, which starts today (26 April) at 15.00 CEST for Day 1 of Dressage, runs until Sunday (29 April) as follows:

Day 2 Dressage – 27 April 15.00 CEST
Cross Country – 28 April 15.00 CEST
Jumping – 29 April 18.30 CEST

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HSBC FEI Classics 2012: The Season Resumes with Record Entries at Kentucky

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William Fox-Pitt, winner of Pau (FRA) last year with Oslo and current leader of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012, heads into Kentucky with Parklane Hawk. Image: Kit Houghton/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 24 April 2012 – Great anticipation surrounds the resumption of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012 season, with record entries for the third leg, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) presented by Bridgestone this week (26-29 April).

With CCI4* competitions having taken place in France and, for the first time Australia, the HSBC FEI Classics has become truly global, prompting the first and third-placed riders in the current standings to fly to Kentucky in the hope of maintaining their momentum in this series, which carries the most valuable single prize in Eventing.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR), winner of Pau (FRA) last year and current leader in the HSBC FEI Classics from Adelaide (AUS) winner Stuart Tinney (AUS), is a perennial visitor to Kentucky – he won it two years ago on Cool Mountain. This time the three-time Olympian, who will be wearing the HSBC Rider Rankings armband as points leader, brings an exciting new talent in Parklane Hawk, the Australian-bred Thoroughbred that gave him a record sixth Burghley victory in 2011.

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Stuart Tinney Jumps His Way to Adelaide HSBC FEI Classics Victory

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Stuart Tinney on Panamera jumps to victory at the HSBC FEI Classics in Adelaide. Jenny Barnes Photography/FEI.

Adelaide (AUS), 20 November 2011 – Stuart Tinney (AUS) and Panamera produced a superb Jumping clear today to clinch victory at the HSBC FEI Classics in Adelaide, the second leg of the 2012 series.

The beautiful clear riding by Tinney on the 12-year-old Staccato mare gave him enough to elevate him to the victory dais with a total of 51.30 penalties. “Frankly, I’m a little surprised to be sitting here,” said Tinney. “The mare is a lovely jumper and I knew she would jump clear if I rode her well enough.” Panamera jumped just one of four clear rounds of the 21 to start the final HSBC FEI Classics Jumping phase. “It is fantastic that HSBC has come on board and I will try to think of ways to get more HSBC points.”

“I came here to win,” declared Western Australian sheep farmer, Sonja Johnson, and she very nearly did riding Nikki Brooks’ racehorse Parkiarrup Illict Liaison. The flashy chestnut just rubbed a rail for the addition of four penalties and second place by less than a rail. Johnson, who returns to Western Australia to “commence shearing” was delighted with Liaison’s performance and hopes that this effort “has put us right back in the mix for London.”

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Shane Rose Keeps a Cool Head on Sultry Cross Country Day at HSBC FEI Classics in Adelaide

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Shane Rose on HSBC FEI Classics debutante Taurus leads after Cross Country in Adelaide. Jenny Barnes Photography/FEI.

Adelaide (AUS), 19 November 2011 – With storm clouds threatening over the nearby Adelaide hills, Shane Rose kept his cool riding the HSBC FEI Classics debutante Taurus to come home clear Jumping and time to remain on his Dressage score moving from third to first place with 45.40 penalties.

“The secret is to have nice horses and to ride them well,” said Rose. “Taurus is a great horse and he is getting better. He was great today.”

Western Australian sheep farmer and Olympic silver medalist Sonja Johnson proved today that she is tough and is certainly no one horse wonder. Her success with the Australian Stock Horse, Ringwould Jaguar, is now part of Olympic history, but she was back to her Cross Country best today riding the barely 16hh Thoroughbred gelding Parkiarrup Illict Liason by Made of Gold.

They posted the second of just two HSBC FEI Classics Cross Country clears. Their efforts have catapulted them from 11th after the Dressage phase to second place with 49.80 penalties. “He’s a fabulous little South Australian bred Thoroughbred and he bucked a lot of jockeys off before he came to me,” explained Sonja. “He is fit and loves it out there. He is a great fun horse.” Sonja’s efforts are all the more remarkable, as she has only been able to ride since last August following a broken pelvis, the result of a riding accident.

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