Tag Archives: William Fox-Pitt

Eventing/H.T., FEI, FEI, Kentucky Three-Day

Fox-Pitt Produces Another Cross Country Hero at Kentucky

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William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Bay My Hero hold the overnight lead at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, third leg of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014, but have no margin for error over newcomer Lauren Kieffer (USA) and the Dutch warmblood mare Veronica in tomorrow’s Jumping phase. (Anthony Trollope/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 26 April 2014 – William Fox-Pitt (GBR) is poised to win a third watch at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, third leg of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014, after a Cross Country day full of suspense and excitement.

Dressage leaders Allison Springer and Arthur had an unfortunate run-out at the angled brush fence after the Normandy Bank at fence 21 and this left Fox-Pitt in the lead after his superb round on Catherine Witt’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse Bay My Hero.

But Fox-Pitt does not have a Jumping fence in hand over newcomer Lauren Kieffer (USA), who had a great clear round on the Dutch warmblood mare Veronica to rise a place to second.

It was a good day for the American selectors. Philip Dutton (USA) is third on Mr Medicott and ninth on Trading Aces, on which he is deputising for an injured Boyd Martin (USA). Jumping specialist Marilyn Little (USA) also has two horses in the top 10 with RF Demeter in fourth and RF Smoke on the Water in 10th.

Buck Davidson (USA), the last rider on course, was visibly elated with his round inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 12 seconds on Ballynoe Castle RM. He is now in sixth place, on the same score as Sinead Halpin (USA) with Manoir de Carney and Rolex Grand Slam contender Andrew Nicholson (NZL), who had a foot-perfect round on Avebury apart from a sticky moment when the grey gelding left a leg at the first water complex.

Fox-Pitt, the winner in 2010 and 2012, admitted he is feeling nervous already about tomorrow’s Jumping. “I’ll still be feeling pretty sick as there are a lot of riders close to me and the arena at Kentucky is one of the most famous in the world for atmosphere.”

Commenting on a thrilling performance from Bay My Hero, he said: “He went superbly. He’s not that experienced at this level but he gave me a confident ride. I was worried that he was a little chubby and would be lacking in fitness, but he felt fantastic. We may have looked a bit messy in the first water complex, but it didn’t feel as bad as it may have looked!”

Fox-Pitt is also in 16th place on last year’s runner-up, Seacookie, after adding 7.2 time penalties. He reported that the German-bred gelding tends to be a deliberate jumper and added in some strides; they also took the long route at the angled double of hedges.

Jan Byyny slipped out of the top 10 to 11th place with 3.2 time penalties on Inmidair, while Will Faudree (USA) was one of six riders to retire, pulling up Pawlow at fence 12, having had an earlier run-out.

Doug Payne, eighth after Dressage on Crown Tsunami, had always intended to re-route to Saumur CCI3* in France next month because he has a travel grant to go to Europe; Sir Mark Todd was another to pull out, following a disappointing Dressage mark on Oloa – they are likely to go to Luhmühlen CCI4* (GER) in June.

In contrast to the previous day’s windy conditions, spectators enjoyed a sunny Cross Country day in which faults were evenly spread around the track and horses returned looking happy.

The new keyhole combination at fence 14 produced a few awkward moments but jumped neatly for those who kept a steady rhythm through it. Among those to execute it to perfection were Andrew Nicholson on Avebury and Canadian rider Hawley Bennett on the veteran Gin and Juice, now lying 15th.

There were 29 clear rounds, 19 inside the optimum time, from the 39 horses to complete; 10 were eliminated.

Tomorrow is shaping up to be a vintage final phase with the scores perilously close – one Jumping fence covers third to 11th places. The Jumping phase starts at 13.15pm (US time).

Follow what is sure to be a fascinating competition with live coverage of the entire event on the FEI’s official video platform FEI TV and see live results on www.rk3de.org.

Results after Cross Country

1 William Fox-Pitt/Bay My Hero (GBR) 44.0 + 0 = 44.0
2 Lauren Kieffer/Veronica (USA) 46.7 + 0 = 46.7
3 Phillip Dutton/Mr Medicott (USA) 49.5 + 0 = 49.5
4 Marilyn Little/RF Demeter (USA) 51.3 + 0 = 51.3
5 Michael Pollard/Mensa G (USA) 49.5 + 2 = 51.5
6 Buck Davidson/Ballynoe Castle RM (USA) 51.7 + 0 = 51.7
7 Sinead Halpin/Manoir de Carney (USA) 51.7 + 0 = 51.7
8 Andrew Nicholson/Avebury (NZL) 51.7 + 0 = 51.7
9 Phillip Dutton/Trading Aces (USA) 52.5 + 0 = 52.5
10 Marilyn Little/RF Smoke on the Water (USA) 52.5 + 0 = 52.5

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: #FEIClassics #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Media Contact:

Marty Bauman
marty@classic-communications.com
+1 508 698 6810 ext. 10
www.rk3de.org

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

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.

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team@revolutionsports.co.uk
www.revolutionsports.co.uk

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

Third Time Lucky for Fox-Pitt in Tense Finale at Pau

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William Fox-Pitt and Seacookie TSF, winners at Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA) to give the British rider an early lead on the FEI Classics 2013/2014 leaderboard. (Photo: Trevor Holt/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 27 October 2013 – William Fox-Pitt had three shots to clinch Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), first event of the FEI Classics 2013/2014 season but, in a nail-biting finale, it took the Briton until his third and last ride, Seacookie TSF, to secure the top prize.

After an outstanding day’s Cross Country yesterday, Fox-Pitt was in the rarefied position of holding the top three places. However, his triple winning chance began to shrink alarmingly when Neuf des Coeurs, third at that stage and jumping out of order, hit five rails and plummeted to eventual 15th place.

To add to the tension, his next ride, Cool Mountain, lying second, dropped a rail, and therefore a place, to third.

Then Phillip Dutton (USA) and Mr Medicott, who had been lying fourth behind the Fox-Pitt trio, provided breathing space by hitting a rail. This gave Fox-Pitt a fence in hand to win on his Cross Country leader, Seacookie TSF, and only using up that margin, he finally clinched victory.

“It’s always nerve-racking coming into the showjumping when you’re in the lead, but having a fence in hand helps,” said a relieved and thrilled Fox-Pitt, who was clocking up the 12th CCI4* win of his outstanding career and his second victory at Pau within two years.

“Seacookie jumped clear when he won Blenheim CCI3* last year and when he was second at Kentucky in April. When he had a rail down this time, things did get a bit tense again, but he went on jumping well and it was my lucky day, I guess.”

The sensation of the day was France’s Maxime Livio, a CCI4* debutant, who used all his experience riding in international Jumping competitions to conjure a clear round from the 12-year-old Anglo Arab Cathar de Gamel. This moved them up to second place and a career best.

“My idea is to go into a competition feeling I can do it or there’s not much point being there, but to be second is fantastic,” said Livio. “My dressage wasn’t 100%; you can always make it better. Across country, my horse was quite tired at a few points and I had to calm down, so I hope to see those few seconds [over the optimum time] disappear in the future.”

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) moved up a place on Mr Cruise Control to fifth, and France’s European bronze medallist Donatien Schauly rose two places to sixth on Pivoine des Touches.

The major beneficiaries in what proved an influential Jumping phase on Pau’s smart new arena surface were Cedric Lyard (FRA), who rose from 13th after Cross Country on Cadeau du Roi to seventh place, and Ireland’s Joseph Murphy on Electric Cruise who came up from 15th to eighth.

William Fox-Pitt, the hero of the weekend, despite suffering back pain throughout, pronounced himself “delighted” with his horses. “First and third is terrific,” he said. “They are all great horses and have done me very well over the years. They’ve been loyal and fantastic to ride and I’m very lucky to have ridden them.

“I’ve had this wretched back problem all weekend and really didn’t think I’d be able to ride, but my physio has done a brilliant job. This weekend has exceeded all my expectations.”

A three-time winner of the HSBC FEI Classics, Fox-Pitt has given himself an early lead in the rankings, and a well-earned winter holiday. No doubt competitors at the forthcoming Adelaide International 3-Day Event (AUS) next month will be relieved to hear that Pau wraps up the Fox-Pitt season!

About the winner

William Fox-Pitt has won 51 CCIs, including 12 CCI4*s: Badminton (2004), Burghley a record six times (1994, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2011), Luhmühlen (2008), Kentucky twice (2010 and 2012) and now Pau twice (2011 and 2013). He is the only rider to have won five out of the world’s six CCI4*s.

He has also represented Britain 17 times in championships, winning 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, team bronze, two individual silvers (1997 and 2005), and individual bronze this year on Chilli Morning. Fox-Pitt, 43, is married to Alice, a television racing commentator. They live in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, and have two young sons, Oliver and Thomas.

Seacookie TSF, a 14-year-old gelding by Helikon, owned by Catherine Witt, was produced to three-star level by German Olympic rider Ingrid Klimke. Fox-Pitt took over the ride in 2008.

Full results on www.event-pau.fr.

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.

HSBC Rankings

The rider at the top of the HSBC Rankings at the end of the 2013 Eventing season will receive a US $50,000 bonus. The winning rider will be announced in December 2013.

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:

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, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Brilliant Fox-Pitt Holds Top Three Places at Pau

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William Fox-Pitt (GBR), who holds the top three places at Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), on Cross Country leader Seacookie TSF.  (Photo: Trevor Holt/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 26 October 2013 – William Fox-Pitt was simply outstanding on the Cross Country at Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), first competition of the FEI Classics 2013/2014 season, and in an incredible result, is now holding first, second and third places.

All three of Fox-Pitt’s horses, the leader Seacookie, Cool Mountain (second) and Neuf des Coeurs (third), went brilliantly and finished inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 48 seconds. A large crowd, enjoying the bright sunshine, showed their appreciation as they loudly cheered him home on Cool Mountain, the last of the 76 Cross Country starters.

“They were foot perfect,” said an understandably elated Fox-Pitt, naming the athletic, French-bred Neuf des Coeurs as the best galloper of the trio. “They’re all horses I know well and they’re all good jumpers.”

However, although he has three chances for a second Pau victory tomorrow, Fox-Pitt does not have a Jumping fence in hand over the competitive American rider, Phillip Dutton on new mount Mr Medicott, who is breathing down his neck in fourth place.

“It’s pretty neat to have the ride on him,” said Dutton, who recently took over Greman Frank Ostholt’s 2008 Olympic gold medallist from compatriot Karen O’Connor. “The idea of coming here was to get used to Pierre Michelet’s courses and walk his lines (before next year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Caen).”

The home side’s star of the show was 26-year-old Maxime Livio (FRA), a newcomer at this level, who also competes in Jumping. He put in a great performance on Cathar de Gamel, winner of the Sandillon (FRA) and Haras du Pin (FRA) CIC3*s this year, and is in fifth place.

“We’ve had a really nice season, so perhaps it’s not such a surprise to do so well here,” said Livio. “But I was quite surprised that my horse could go so fast over a course that’s nearly 12 minutes and I’m feeling pretty impressed to be sitting here in a press conference with these two superstars [Fox-Pitt and Dutton].”

Last year’s winner Andrew Nicholson (NZL) had mixed fortunes. He is in sixth place after a smooth performance on Mr Cruise Control, but he had a run-out with Quimbo, equal fourth after Dressage, at fence 20 and he retired his first ride, CCI4* newcomer Viscount George.

Britain’s Sarah Bullimore rode two great clear rounds inside the time to rise eight places to seventh on Valentino V, and 34 places to 15th on My Last One. Donatien Schauly (FRA) made it look easy on Pivoine des Touches to climb 11 places to eighth, and Clark Montgomery (USA) on Universe and Rodolphe Scherer (Makara de Montiege, FRA) rose 22 places apiece to ninth and 10th.

Dressage leaders Lucinda Fredericks (AUS) and Flying Finish were quick across the country but are out of contention after a frustrating run-out right at the end of the course at the influential complex at 25. Some riders who were up on the clock, including Fox-Pitt, had the luxury of taking the long route here.

Lucy Wiegersma (GBR), sixth after Dressage on Simon Porloe, retired after a refusal at the duck-shaped fence in the first water complex, and Frank Ostholt (GER) and Little Paint, lying eighth, were pulled up near the end of the course.

There were 35 clear rounds, nine of them inside the optimum time, and 53 completions, but Pierre Michelet’s accuracy questions certainly had riders thinking and made for a thrilling day’s sport.

William Fox-Pitt commented that he was surprised by the amount of problems at the first water complex. “Horses didn’t seem to read it that well. There were all sorts of ways you could approach it and it was interesting to watch.

“By contrast, it was amazing how well horses coped with the last water. You don’t meet many fences with five elements, under trees and involving water, but it just shows how good our horses are now.”

Watch tomorrow’s Jumping action live on FEI TV www.feitv.org and keep up to date with the scores throughout on www.event-pau.fr.

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.

HSBC Rankings

The rider at the top of the HSBC Rankings at the end of the 2013 Eventing season will receive a US $50,000 bonus. The winning rider will be announced in December 2013.

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:

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, Dressage, Eventing/H.T.

Duo Has One Hand Each on Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Prize at 2013 Badminton Horse Trials

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Andrew Nicholson (top) & William Fox-Pitt.

(Badminton, UK, 3 May 2013) Christopher Burton (AUS) riding Holstein Park Leilani is currently in 1st place after Day 1 of Dressage. Sam Griffiths (AUS) riding Happy Times is in 2nd place, with Andrew Nicholson (NZL) riding Avebury in 3rd place.  William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Oslo is lying in 4th place.

Results after Day 1 Dressage

1 Christopher Burton/Holstein Park Leilani (AUS) 43.0
2 Sam Griffiths/Happy Times (AUS) 43.3
2 Andrew Nicholson/Avebury (NZL) 45.0
4 William Fox-Pitt/Oslo (GBR) 45.8
5 Aoife Clark/Master Crusoe (IRL) 45.8

For more information on the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.badminton-horse.co.uk.

Two Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Contenders

With two of three successive wins of the Rolex Grand Slam – the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and the 2011 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials – William Fox-Pitt is the current live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. Due to adverse weather conditions, the 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials was unfortunately cancelled. Therefore, Fox-Pitt has had to wait until the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials ends before he can contend for the coveted US$ 350,000 Rolex Grand Slam Prize.

However, now that Andrew Nicholson, who won the 2012 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, has also accomplished the feat of successively winning the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, there are now uniquely be two live contenders for the sport’s most coveted prize at the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

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

Dream Team Lines Up for Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

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William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and (right) Andrew Nicholson (NZL) – the HSBC Rankings and HSBC FEI Classics series leader – have set the scene for the most thrilling running yet of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) on 3-6 May, fourth leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013. (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 1 May, 2013 – The scene is set for the most thrilling running yet of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) (3-6 May), fourth leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013, and a showdown between two riders who are at the height of their powers.

Andrew Nicholson (NZL), current HSBC Rankings leader and holding a 10-point-lead in the HSBC FEI Classics standings, scored a stunning victory over William Fox-Pitt (GBR) at Kentucky last weekend.

The two riders, who finished first and second in the 2012 HSBC Rankings, are at the peak of their careers, with the strongest strings of horses they’ve ever had. Between them, their four Badminton horses have won five CCI4*s, and they have set up a fascinating head-to-head for the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.

Fox-Pitt, who has won 11 CCI4*s, including Badminton in 2004, will ride Parklane Hawk, winner of Burghley in 2011 and Kentucky in 2012, and Oslo, who topped the line-up at Pau in 2011. Nicholson, who has five CCI4* victories to his name, competes on Nereo, winner of Pau 2012, and Avebury, first at Burghley last year.

“This is a dream scenario for Badminton,” said Fox-Pitt. “It’s going to be really exciting, although at the end of the day it’ll probably be neither of us winning – hello, Michael Jung! So many things have to come right to win any three-day event. But we’ve both got lovely horses and we’ve both had a great preparation for Badminton, so we’ll see.”

Badminton has received an exceptionally star-studded entry this year, and, as Fox-Pitt mentions, it is Michael Jung (GER), the reigning Olympic, World and European champion, who will undoubtedly start favourite on his best horse, La Biosthetique Sam. He also has a strong back-up in first ride Leopin, third at Pau in 2012.

The unassuming Jung first visited Badminton as a youngster, and has wanted to ride here ever since, but his only public appearances in Britain have both been at Greenwich Park – at the Test Event and last year’s Olympic Games where he won team and individual gold. As a result, many British spectators have never seen him ride, so they will be in for a treat when they see the master at work. Interestingly, no first-timer has won at Badminton since Mark Todd (NZL) in 1980 – could Jung, with his impressive credentials, break this record?

Jung’s Olympic team mates also have the credentials to win – individual bronze medallist Sandra Auffarth (Opgun Louvo), Dirk Schrade (King Artus) and Ingrid Klimke (Butts Abraxxas).

Fox-Pitt’s fellow Olympic team members Mary King (Imperial Cavalier and Kings Temptress), Kristina Cook (Miners Frolic and De Novo News) and Zara Phillips (High Kingdom) should also feature in what promises to be a highly international line-up, and much interest will follow the reappearance of Redesigned, fifth at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, with Pippa Funnell.

Since Badminton began 64 years ago in 1949, British riders have dominated. However, this year’s contest is wide open. Two rising stars from the Antipodes are Jock Paget (NZL) with Clifton Promise, second at Pau, and Clifton Lush, and Chris Burton (AUS) on Holstein Park Leilani.

Ireland’s Aoife Sisk is sure to go well on Master Crusoe, seventh at the London Olympic Games, and Italy has two stars in Stefano Brecciaroli (Apollo VD Wendi Kurt Hoeve) and Vittoria Panizzon on the bouncing grey mare, Borough Pennyz.

There are six former winners in the field, headed by 57-year-old Sir Mark Todd (NZL), the defending champion who first won Badminton 33 years ago, following up with victories in 1994, 1996 and 2011. He rides Major Milestone and Ravenstar, the latter for Irish rider Jayne Doherty, who is pregnant.

The other previous Badminton winners are Mary King (1992, 2000), Pippa Funnell (2002, 2003, 2005), William Fox-Pitt (2004), Oliver Townend (2009) and Paul Tapner (2010).

Since 1949, there have been five Australian winners of Badminton (Bill Roycroft, Laurie Morgan, Andrew Hoy, Lucinda Fredericks and Paul Tapner); two from the USA (Bruce Davidson and David O’Connor), one Swiss (Hans Schwarzenbach), one French (Nicolas Touzaint), one Irish (Eddie Boylan) plus Mark Todd’s four wins for New Zealand.

The in-form Andrew Nicholson (NZL), who has just won three consecutive CCI4*s, holds the record for Badminton completions – 31 times – but has yet to win. His best result to date is second in 2004 on Lord Killinghurst. Could 2013 be his year?

Badminton is also a place where young riders make their mark – and this year, there are three candidates for the HSBC Training Bursary, which is presented to the highest placed rider never to have previously completed a 4-star level event: Jamie Atkinson (GBR) on Celtic Fortune, Sarah Ennis (IRL) with Sugar Brown Babe and Manuel Grave (POR) on Samaritano.

Dressage starts on Friday at 9.30am (British time) with Oliver Townend (GBR) first into the arena on Armada. Follow live results: www.badminton.co.uk.

HSBC FEI Classics leaderboard (after 3 of 6 events)

  1. Andrew Nicholson (NZL) 30 points
  2. William Fox-Pitt (GBR) 20
  3. Craig Barrett (AUS) 15
  4. Jonathan Paget (NZL) 12
  5. Natalie Blundell (AUS) 12
  6. Michael Jung (GER) 10
  7. Murray Lamperd (AUS) 10
  8. Buck Davidson (USA) 8
  9. Jessica Manson (AUS) 8
  10. Lynn Symansky (USA) 6

View full standings here.

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

By Kate Green

Mitsubishi 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, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day

Fox-Pitt Moves into Lead, Knowles Is Top American after Phase One of Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

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Allie Knowles and Last Call (Shannon Brinkman/USEF photo)

Lexington, KY – With the second day of dressage completed at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, William Fox-Pitt (GBR) now sits in the lead with Chilli Morning after earning an impressive 33.3. Fox-Pitt had a practically flawless dressage test with Christopher and Lisa Stone’s 13-year-old stallion in front of the Ground Jury of Nick Burton (GBR), Christina Klingspor (SWE), and Brian Ross (USA).

“He is a lovely horse to ride on the flat,” commented Fox-Pitt. “You need a horse as capable as Chilli is to be able to score that sort of score. I am very excited.”

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Quimbo are a close second after earning a score of 38.0. Deborah Sellar’s 10-year-old Spanish Sport Horse gelding performed a lovely test for Nicholson. Quimbo performed well under the pressure of the Rolex Stadium in his first CCI4*.

“I think he pretty much gave 100 percent. He is only 10 years old and with these four-star tests, I think they have to be physically strong to maintain the necessary collection and fluency of the movements,” said Nicholson of his young mount’s notable score.

Nicholson lost his Thursday lead with Calico Joe but still sits in third with a score of 40.8 with Twenty Twelve in Mind’s 11-year-old English Thoroughbred gelding.
Twenty-six year-old Allie Knowles (Paris, KY) had a stellar performance in her first CCI4* appearance with her and Christie Campbell’s Last Call. She currently sits in fourth place with a score of 43.3 after riding a beautiful, rhythmical test on the 14-year-old Mecklenburg mare, holding her own with the best in the world.

“I feel just so lucky to be here, let alone to have done so well in dressage and to be sitting between two of the greatest riders ever,” said Knowles. “I’m a little overwhelmed.”

Being the highest-placed American after dressage, Knowles leads the Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Eventing Championship. She was very pleased with her test, in which the only noticeable mistake was in her last flying change.

“She performed incredibly well,” Knowles said of Last Call. “I didn’t know what to expect because we have never seen anything like that together but she does have a very good disposition. She does tend to stay relaxed if I stay relaxed.”

The pair won the Galway Downs CIC3* in 2011 and finished in sixth place in an Advanced division at The Fork Horse Trials this year.

Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) is the second highest-placed American, tied with Mary King in fifth place after scoring a 43.7 with RF Demeter. Little performed a smooth, flowing test with Raylyn Farms and Team Demeter’s 11-year-old Oldenburg mare. The pair finished ninth here in Kentucky last year and placed fourth in The Fork CIC3*earlier this spring.

Riders will now tackle the solid CCI4* cross country course designed by Derek di Grazia. The course covers 6500 meters and has 28 numbered fences.

“I think the cross country course looks good, a strong track,” said Fox-Pitt. “As always here the undulation is a big part but the ground is very good.”

Cross country begins Saturday at 10:00am ET with William Fox-Pitt and Seacookie TSF.

Watch the live stream on the USEF Network presented by SmartPak. In addition to the broadcast, the order of go, results, and photos can be found here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/Rolex3Day2013/.

For more information about the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, visit www.rk3de.org.

Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at http://usefnetwork.com/featured/2013Eventing.

By Kathleen Landwehr

Dressage, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Kentucky Three-Day

Chilli Is on Fire for Fox-Pitt at Rolex Kentucky

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William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Chilli Morning now in the lead at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), third leg of the 2012/2013 HSBC FEI Classics, after setting the competition alight on Dressage Day 2. (Photo: Anthony Trollope/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 27 April 2013 – William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and the eye-catching chestnut stallion Chilli Morning set the competition alight at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), third leg of the 2012/2013 HSBC FEI Classics, with a superb Dressage test today, to go into the lead with a 4.7 penalty advantage.

But a thrilling showdown is now assured as Andrew Nicholson (NZL), Fox-Pitt’s only challenger for the Rolex Grand Slam, is breathing down his neck in second and third places with Quimbo and Calico Joe.

Nicholson, the current HSBC FEI Classics leader after his victory at Pau (FRA) last year, scored the only other sub-40 penalties mark with the exciting prospect Quimbo. Earlier, he set an early standard with a mark of 40.8 on his first ride, Calico Joe, who put in a significantly improved performance in this phase.

“I hoped the test would score in the 30s and I did have a sneaky look at the scoreboard, at which point I thought, ‘OK, right!’” said Fox-Pit, who has won at Kentucky twice before, in 2010 and last year.

“It can be quite demoralising to look at the marks sometimes, but this was feeling so good I thought it was worth the risk. Chilli has an amazing presence and loves being in the arena where he thinks he’s king.”

Chilli Morning was fifth at Pau last year, but a stallion has never won at CCI4* level before – there are currently only three competing at this level in the world. However, Fox-Pitt, who took over the ride last year after the horse was produced by British rider Nick Gauntlett, explained: “It puts him under extra pressure, of course, but he’s got a great temperament. He’s a very dear, kind horse that you can give a cuddle to. He never puts his ears back and is a real gentleman.”

In contrast to the vast combined experience of Fox-Pitt and Nicholson, fourth-placed Alexandra Knowles (USA), a young rider and CCI4* débutant based locally in Paris, Kentucky, has found herself in exalted company. She scored the excellent mark of 43.3 on the mare Last Call and is 0.7 ahead of another big name, Mary King (GBR), riding the grey Fernhill Urco. King, the 2011 winner at Kentucky, is tied in fifth place with last year’s HSBC Training Bursary winner, Marilyn Little (USA) on RF Demeter.

Fox-Pitt, who will be first out of the 46-starter field on tomorrow’s Cross Country course on Seacookie TSF, currently lying 10th, says he is looking forward to riding Derek di Grazia’s course. “It looks a superb course, but we all know that things can change. There are some big questions out there, and lots of turns and skinny fences, but the footing is amazing, especially considering all the rain we had on Wednesday.”

Results after Dressage

  1. William Fox-Pitt/Chilli Morning (GBR) 33.3
  2. Andrew Nicholson/Quimbo (NZL) 38.0
  3. Andrew Nicholson/Calico Joe (NZL) 40.8
  4. Alexandra Knowles/Last Call (USA) 43.3
  5. Mary King/Fernhill Urco (GBR) 43.7
  6. Marilyn Little/RF Demeter (USA) 43.7
  7. Becky Holder/Can’t Fire Me (USA) 44.2
  8. Buck Davidson/Ballynoe Castle RM (USA) 45.2
  9. Shandiss McDonald/Rockfield Grant Juan (USA) 45.7
  10. William Fox-Pitt/Seacookie TSF (GBR) 46.2

See full leaderboard here.

Download the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 press kit: www.feipresskits.org/.

HSBC’s Training Bursary

At the centre of HSBC’s sponsorship is a commitment to the development of the sport of Eventing at every level. As part of its support of the HSBC FEI Classics, HSBC has introduced a Training Bursary. This is a unique award which is presented to the highest placed rider never to have previously completed a 4-star level event. The winning rider receives a training voucher to the value of US $1,000 to be spent on sessions with a trainer of the athlete’s choice approved by the FEI and National Federation.

HSBC, the platinum partner of the FEI and global sponsor of Eventing, has supported the HSBC FEI Classics series, which unites the top end of the international Eventing circuit, since 2008.

View the current HSBC FEI Classics series standings here.

FEI TV, the FEI’s official video website, will cover the action LIVE in Kentucky (see start times on www.feitv.org/live):

27 April – Cross Country
28 April – Jumping

Download the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 press kit: www.feipresskits.org.

HSBC’s Training Bursary

At the centre of HSBC’s sponsorship is a commitment to the development of the sport of Eventing at every level. As part of its support of the HSBC FEI Classics, HSBC has introduced a Training Bursary. This is a unique award which is presented to the highest placed rider never to have previously completed a 4-star level event. The winning rider receives a training voucher to the value of US $1,000 to be spent on sessions with a trainer of the athlete’s choice approved by the FEI and National Federation.

HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 calendar

1 Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA) – 24-28 October 2012
2 Australian International 3 Day Event (AUS) – 22-25 November 2012
3 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) – 25-28 April 2013
4 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) – 3-6 May 2013
5 Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by DHL PAKET (GER) – 13-16 June 2013
6 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) – 5-8 September 2013

HSBC, the platinum partner of the FEI and global sponsor of Eventing, has supported the HSBC FEI Classics series, which unites the top end of the international Eventing circuit, since 2008.

In our HSBC FEI Hub, you can access the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 series standings, HSBC Rankings and all news relating to the current and past series.

Prize money

The HSBC FEI Classics prize fund is the largest on offer in the sport of Eventing on an annual basis. At the end of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected across the six HSBC FEI Classics events will share a total prize fund of US$333,000 split as follows: 1st – US$150,000 (Series Champion); 2nd – US$75,000; 3rd – US$50,000; 4th – US$33,000; 5th – US$25,000.

HSBC Rankings

The rider at the top of the HSBC Rankings at the end of the 2013 Eventing season will receive a US $50,000 bonus. The winning rider will be announced in December 2013.

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

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

By Kate Green

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Media Contact:

Marty Bauman
marty@classic-communications.com
+1 508 698 6810 ext. 10

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, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

Nicholson Takes Fox-Pitt to the Wire at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

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William Fox-Pitt held onto third place with Parklane Hawk at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, to win the 2011-2012 HSBC FEI Classics by a single point. (Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton)

Burghley (GBR), 31 August 2012 – In an extraordinary finale to the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), the evergreen New Zealander Andrew Nicholson seized his third victory in 17 years at this popular venue while William Fox-Pitt’s third place was good enough – by just one point – to win him a third HSBC FEI Classics title.

Fox-Pitt (GBR), riding Parklane Hawk, had two fences down and Nicholson (on Avebury) one on an influential Jumping track. Between them, they handed the overnight leader Sinead Halpin (USA) a two-fence margin, but to the disbelief of the crowds in the packed stands, the ever-smiling American, who has won many admirers in Britain this week, hit three rails on Manoir de Carneville and finished second.

“It’s a few years since I’ve won a CCI4*, but it just shows you have to keep going in this sport,” said an overwhelmed Nicholson, 51. “I’ve had Avebury since he was a foal and there have been days when he’s let me down and days when he probably thought I let him down, so this is very satisfying.”

Continue reading Nicholson Takes Fox-Pitt to the Wire at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials →

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

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.

Continue reading Top Riders Chase Fox-Pitt’s Target at Luhmühlen →