Tag Archives: Badminton Horse Trials

Eventing/H.T., Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Jonathan Paget Wins Badminton Horse Trials, Holds Off Rolex Grand Slam Challengers Fox-Pitt & Nicholson

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Jonathan Paget riding Clifton Promise.

(Badminton, UK, 6 May 2013) Jonathan Paget (NZL), riding Clifton Promise, finished on his dressage score of 39.7 to beat Michael Jung (GER) riding La Biosthetique in 2nd place. Paget also held off the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing challenges from Andrew Nicholson (NZL) riding Nereo in 3rd place, and William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Parklane Hawk, who finished in 5th place. Sandra Auffarth (GER) riding Opgun Louvo finished in 4th place.

Rider Quotes

Jonathan Paget riding Clifton Promise

Q.  Congratulations – how are you feeling?

I’ve spent time with Michael and he is such a perfectionist. When he gets to the last fence you would never expect him to have it down and I heard the crowd cheer and I thought he’s a champion – he deserves it. And then I heard the “arrghh” and I thought “shoot, I think I’ve just won!”

Q. Your first four star – not a bad place to win it?

Yeah, and it’s the first time the horse has finished on his dressage score at a three day event. He’s always been the type of horse that pulls something amazing out when you need him the most and that’s what he did.

Q. What were you telling yourself as you were going into the ring?

Not much!  I went in and the only thing I had to remember was to salute and I just jumped one fence at a time.

Q. How did the round feel – it looked really fluid and easy – was it easy?

I don’t think it ever feels easy with the pressure, but he was amazing – he was jumping everything as hard as he could like he does and he never made a mistake – he was perfect.

Michael Jung riding Sam

Q. Michael, so close and so unlucky?

I could have been a little more controlled, but he jumped well and I am very happy about my first time here.

Q. How much of a disappointment to have last fence down?

Maybe I was a little bit too fast. He was really fresh; each fence was a lot of power. I had a good line to the last fence.

The whole week has been fantastic, I am very lucky to be here and very happy to finish in second place.

Q. Will you come back next year and have another go?

Maybe!  I would like to come to Burghley in September.

Andrew Nicholson riding Nereo

Q. Andrew, well done, great round, thoughts on the winner [Jonathan Paget]?

He’s a great boy – a great rider. It’s great for New Zealand to have someone like Joch in the wings here. It’s good for the likes of me and Mark who are getting on a bit to have ones like him from our country making us very alert and very focused.

Q. So for you there must be a little bit of disappointment and coming back again next year?

Yeah, it’s not the first time. I’ll be back again. I’m very happy with my horse’s performances.  I just think it has been great for the whole sport all week – I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the ‘razzamatazz’ and the buzz of it all and I was just pleased that I could play my part until the end.

It would have been nice to win the $350,000 but I didn’t have it to start with, so I haven’t lost it have I!  Perhaps I’ll try and win Burghley and get the ball rolling again!

William Fox-Pitt riding Parklane Hawk

Q. William, that was very bad luck; how are you feeling?

Luck wasn’t quite on our side but he has performed so well all week with a reasonable amount of pressure from both me and externally – horses can only pick up on that a little bit and he has responded so well and to come out and perform like that is exciting and rewarding.

Q. Does it make you feel slightly better to know you couldn’t have won the Rolex Grand Slam anyway with Jonathan winning?

Yes, of course it does, definitely!  I couldn’t have won Badminton and the Rolex Grand Slam, with the two going together, but finishing fifth is great.  It is a big relief – it will be nice to return to life as normal – with the phone not ringing all the time and people wanting interviews!

It has been an exciting experience and I am very fortunate to have been able to enjoy it and hope it has done a lot for the sport and a lot for Rolex and a lot for Badminton.

Q. But it [Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing] can all start again in September at Burghley?

Yes, but if it starts again at Burghley then it will finish again here at Badminton – let’s not even talk about anything!  Let’s hope that Rolex carry on – there’s no guarantees – I hope that they continue their massive involvement with the sport, which has done so much to boost the sport.

Final Competition Results after Show Jumping

1 Jonathan Paget/Clifton Promise (NZL) 39.7
2 Michael Jung/Sam (GER) 40.0
3 Andrew Nicholson/Nereo (NZL) 40.2
4 Sandra Auffarth/Opgun Louvo (GER) 42.5
5 William Fox-Pitt/Parklane Hawk (GBR) 44.0

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 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
T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk

Competitions, Eventing/H.T.

Superb Jung Leaves Opposition Standing at Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

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Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW, leaders after the Cross Country at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 5 May 2013 – The huge crowd at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR), fourth leg of the HSBC FEI Classics, roared home Michael Jung (GER), cheering loudly at the finish of the Cross Country to show their appreciation of a true horseman.

However, although the Olympic, World and European champion has retained his lead on La Biosthetique Sam FBW after the first two phases, he will need all his famous reserves of calm tomorrow. He does not have a fence in hand over New Zealander Jock Paget, who was immaculate on Clifton Promise and lies in second place.

The two Rolex Grand Slam contenders, William Fox-Pitt (GBR) on Parklane Hawk and Andrew Nicholson (NZL) on Nereo, have moved into closer contention in third and fourth places, still separated by just 0.2 of a penalty after faultless performances.

Badminton is the world’s oldest and richest CCI4* and attracts more than 150,000 spectators on Cross Country day, the most 30-year-old Jung has encountered in his career so far. “There are so many people here and they lift you over the fences,” he said happily. “The atmosphere is fantastic. I have wanted to come here since I was a young boy, so to be in this position feels amazing.”

Jung, who had a refusal at the skinny brush at the top of the Savills’ Staircase (fence 22) on his first ride Leopin, also had a nervous moment on Sam. The 13-year-old gelding twisted over the imposing timber into Badminton’s famous Lake (fence 9) and landed facing in the wrong direction for the two small brush fences which came next, with Jung close to completely losing his reins.

The crowd gasped loudly, but somehow Jung, showing amazingly quick reactions, managed to set his horse back on track. “I gave him time to find his balance again and it was fine,” he said, apparently not at all fazed by this near miss.

The pair finished 14 seconds inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 13 seconds, despite taking a long route at the Staircase this time.

Jung’s Olympic team mate Sandra Auffarth was equally impressive on her Badminton debut and she is now in fifth place on Opgun Louvo, having added just 1.2 time penalties.

Stefano Breccarioli (ITA) produced the ride of his life on the elegant Apollo VD Wendi Kurt Hoeve, having clearly benefited from the advice of his mentor Andrew Nicholson, and he is now in sixth place with six time penalties, his best Cross Country result at CCI4* level.

“I am very happy,” said Brecciaroli excitedly afterwards. “I was trying very hard. The competition is so exciting, and the atmosphere fantastic. I’m feeling very proud to be at the top of the leaderboard with Olympic champions.”

Sam Griffiths (AUS) has moved up three places to seventh, ahead of Nicholson on Avebury, the only rider with two horses in the top 12.

Hugh Thomas’s Cross Country course jumped exceptionally well, with 69 clear rounds and more than 25% of the field – 25 riders – finishing inside the optimum time thanks to the perfect going.

“The ground is superb and the course felt lovely to ride,” said Nicholson, who coped with the hazard of being chased by two different dogs during his round on Avebury. “It helped sharpen Avebury up. He probably thought I’d arranged it on purpose!” he joked.

Not everyone made the track look quite so easy, however, and there were some high-profile mistakes. Kristina Cook (GBR) gave notice that the new HSBC Market Place complex (fence 21) would be influential when Du Novo News ran out at the second open corner, and William Fox-Pitt with first ride Oslo and Mark Todd (Ravenstar) also had problems here.

Dirk Schrade (GER), third after Dressage on King Artus, retired when the horse refused at the rails into the Lake (fence 9), while fellow Germany Kai Rüder (Le Prince des Bois) and Britain’s Zara Phillips (High Kingdom) both ran past one of the small brush fences in the Lake.

The latter seems to be perpetually unlucky at Badminton and is yet to better her 16th place in 2008. “I made a mistake and you pay the price,” Phillips said. “It’s frustrating after all the hard work, but he’s such a great horse.”

Pippa Funnell, who had done such a fantastic job to bring Redesigned back to top level after three years on the sidelines, had an even more frustrating run-out, at the top of the Savills Staircase. It cost her fifth place at this stage.

Susanna Bordone (ITA) was unseated when Blue Moss hit the rails going into the Shogun Hollow (fence 18) and Bettina Hoy (GER) was unshipped when Lanfranco TSF twisted over the final element of Huntsman’s Close (fence 7).

Mary King (GBR) continued unawares after Kings Temptress took out the flag at the open corner at the Rodney Powell Products Farmyard (fence 13), but the Ground Jury reviewed the CCTV footage and decided that she had not jumped between the flags so she was stopped.

William Fox-Pitt, who timed his Cross Country round to perfection on Parklane Hawk, finishing one second inside the optimum time after opting for a cautious route at fence 21 this time, conceded that he may be facing an uphill task in his pursuit of Grand Slam glory in tomorrow’s Jumping phase.

“There’s no way it’s going to be a normal day at Badminton with so much at stake,” he said cheerfully. “Even if I jump clear on Parklane Hawk – and that certainly isn’t guaranteed – I’m still relying on others to make mistakes, and that isn’t very likely either. Especially as this chap [Michael Jung] doesn’t make many!”

Don’t miss a hoofbeat. Follow the live action on www.feitv.org.

Follow live results: www.badminton-horse.co.uk.

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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

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T.

Michael Jung Holds Off Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Challengers at Badminton Horse Trials

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Michael Jung riding La Biosthetique Sam.

(Badminton, UK, 5 May 2013) Michael Jung (GER) riding La Biosthetique Sam remains in 1st place after the Cross-Country phase at the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. Jonathan Paget (NZL) riding Clifton Promise is in 2nd place, with Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing challengers William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Parklane Hawk in 3rd place, and Andrew Nicholson (NZL) riding Nereo in 4th place.

Rider Quotes

Michael Jung riding Sam

Q. Michael, superb round – you’ve managed to do it so far!

Yes, we had a little mistake at the first water but the good thing is that the water was in the beginning and not in the end so he was fresh enough to manage everything and he was directly after the mistake he to listen to me what you have to do now and the rest of it was really perfect.

Q. How do you feel when something like [the mistake] that happens?

That’s cross country! For 11 minutes in the cross country and not everything working on the correct way but I am very happy!

Q. Here you are maintaining the lead to tomorrow?

He is in very good form. He is very fresh at the end and he is ready for tomorrow.

Q. How did he feel coming over the finish?

Amazing!  The spectators help on the last jumps – they lift you over the last fences and its wonderful when you gallop the ten minutes through the course as everywhere are spectators – it’s really special.

Q. Will Sam be up to the Show Jumping after today?

Yes, he’s in really good form – he was fresh at the finish and I hope we are lucky enough for tomorrow.

Q. So you could spoil the Rolex Grand Slam party?

Maybe, yes!

Jonathan Paget riding Clifton Promise

Q. Jonathan – that looked amazing?

I was grateful to have another great horse to ride around this morning to help set me up for the horse that has such great dressage. Luckily for me I am on two great gallopers and jumpers – two New Zealand thoroughbreds so they know their job.

Q. How does this horse fare with the Show Jumping – is he careful?

He is careful, but I have never yet finished on my dressage score in a three day, but he is very careful and it wouldn’t surprise me if he jumped clear

William Fox-Pitt riding Parklane Hawk

Q. William, a great opportunity for you now exists [for the Rolex Grand Slam] – how are you feeling?

I’m feeling delighted. That was better, wasn’t it? He was class round there and pleasure to ride – he’s such a galloping machine. As I’ve said all along, I’d wished for the ground to be soft and muddy so then he would have done the time when some of the others wouldn’t as he’s such a good galloper – he’s breed to race.

He felt fantastic at the end and I knew I had to be quite close to the time and I know that I am exactly four points behind Michael – so IF Michael were to have a fence down and IF I was to jump clear it would have been really annoying to know I had been going a bit too fast today so very, very fortunate that Michael was a little bit quicker – but hey he’s got to go and jump the jumps tomorrow and he’s got to be OK after today.

This is a Rolex dream isn’t it – it’s not the riders dream!

Q. Well it could be a big earner, potentially?

I’m not even thinking about that – you’ve got to jump the blinking show jumps, you’ve got to trot up, there’s so far to go – that’s not his strongest phase but he’ll hopefully do his best.

Q. Any ‘heart in mouth’ moments going round there today?

No, not really. I think the course was more interesting to ride than it walked. A few of the strides didn’t come up you expected. The only time where he didn’t go exactly as I planned was where I did two little strides coming out of the pond – and that’s not like him, he would normally be a brave long striding horse so it’s rather good to know he can be a bit clever and nimble because he is brave as a lion.

Andrew Nicholson riding Nereo

Q. Another great round Andrew?

He was very, very good. He pulled really hard when he normally doesn’t pull, but with William finishing just before I started and the crowd cheering, which is quite right – he just got a little bit excited and he was pulling quite hard for five minutes which was probably just makes me huff and puff a bit!

Q. Nevertheless you were round within the time?

He does the time very easily. He lost a shoe, which made turning into the last corner a bit skiddy and slippery but he jumped it ok.

Q. Where you aware of losing the shoe on the way round?

Yes, you know pretty quickly, especially when the grass is green and you slide a little bit, but they get the hang of it.

Q. Does it take a certain amount of expertise to keep the horse balanced?

Ah, he’s got four legs hasn’t he – that’s his job – I just steer him!

Q. So, an enormous amount of pressure on you going into the Show Jumping tomorrow?

Yes, we’ve had it all week – you’ve just got to do what you’ve got to do. I’ve got two nice jumpers. Nereo has moved up, Avebury has moved up – it’s another day!

Results after Cross Country

1 Michael Jung/Sam (GER) 36.0
2 Jonathan Paget/Clifton Promise (NZL) 39.7
3 William Fox-Pitt/Parklane Hawk (GBR) 40.0
4 Andrew Nicholson/Nereo (NZL) 40.2
5 Sandra Auffarth/Opgun Louvo (GER) 42.5

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 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
T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk

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

Michael Jung Leads Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

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Michael Jung riding La Biosthetique Sam.

(Badminton, UK, 4 May 2013) Michael Jung (GER) riding La Biosthetique Sam is in 1st place after the Dressage phase at the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. Stefano Brecciaroli (ITA) riding Apollo VD Wendi Kurt Hoeve is in 2nd place, with Dirk Schrade (GER) riding King Artus in 3rd place. Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize contenders William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Parkland Hawk is lying in 5th place, with Andrew Nicholson (NZL) riding Nereo in 6th place.

Rider Quotes

Michael Jung riding Sam

Q.  Michael – that looked great – how was it?

My horse was very concentrated and I feel it in the warm up – he’s very relaxed and concentrate to me and not to the spectators – I can ride him and touch him to the legs OK and he feels really good.

Q. Any difficult moments?

Yes, just in the walk and the stop and rein back. Yes, ok he is a little bit nervous but I think it was very good for the horse for this stadium.

Q. What about tomorrow – what are your thoughts on this particular horse?

I think it’s a very, very nice cross country – you have long ways – you can go really fast forward and you can have time enough to prepare the next jump. It’s a really good building from the course designer. You have a few jumps to go into the course and many tricky fences but I think we can see a very nice course.

Q. What will you do tonight?

Eat, drink, relax and then have fun tomorrow!

Andrew Nicholson riding Nereo

Q. Andrew – quite a good mark – how was the test – did you feel it went as well as it could have done?

The walk isn’t the easiest – naturally he hasn’t got a brilliant walk, just with the photographers and the clicking of the cameras it got him a little jig joggy and it make the rein back a bit quicker than it should be, but otherwise I thought he was very good.

Q. Quite a few riders have mentioned the clicking on the cameras – is that more unusual?

That’s part of these big events – now I suppose there are more taking photos – it’s all noticeable, but just part of the sport. If the wind was perhaps blowing in a different direction then you never know, but it’s part of it all and you’ve just got to take it as it is.

Q. At the moment we believe you are lying into 6th place – what are you feeling now on the whole competition, trying to win your first Badminton and the Rolex Grand Slam prize?

“What score is Michael on?” He’s on 36.0. “And what am I on?”  40.3. “It’s near enough!”

I don’t like being in the lead after the dressage – I was in the lead after the dressage here once before and I finished second. And I was in second place in Kentucky last week and then won – so I’ll stick to that!

Q. What are you going to do now?

I’ve pretty thoroughly walked the cross-country course and know where I’m going on there. The horses will just be worked a bit tomorrow and then we’ll come out and scorch around there!

William Fox-Pitt riding Parklane Hawk

Q. William – are you disappointed with the mark, did you feel you did better?

I’m very pleased with Parklane Hawk – he did a lovely test. It’s a shame that he made a bit of a fluff of the rein back – we don’t normally do that. I think it was just nerves and the excitement and you’ve got all the cameras this year right behind them. I could feel him not really focusing on me and he lost his focus of attention for a second – but he came back really well and I was very, very pleased with how he went.

Q. You mentioned the cameras – does it still effect such experienced horses?

I think not normally it would. He is a thoroughbred horse, a sensitive horse – for my other horse Oslo it probably wouldn’t affect him at all – he is a real show-off and would have benefitted from a good blasting wind and a few more people cheering because he is that sort of horse. Whereas Parklane Hawk would definitely have felt it a little bit. But he has done three majors and coped very well with them – he’s got a very good brain.

Q. You held it together in there nevertheless, so what about tomorrow?

I’m looking forward to tomorrow – it will be an exciting day. I am looking forward to riding both my horses around Badminton – neither of them have done Badminton before, but both are really up for the challenge and are fit and well.

We are hoping that it is a tough course – I certainly am, especially not being in the lead after the Dressage myself, so I shall be hoping it causes plenty of trouble!

Q. I have to mention the Rolex Grand Slam – is it on your mind at all?

Once the dressage is over – you’ve got to do your best – the order has been set and you just have to get on with it. I think now what will happen will happen – they’ve definitely put up a challenge out there and let’s hope it proves one!

Results after Day 1 Dressage

1 Michael Jung/Sam (GER) 36.0
2 Stefano Brecciaroli/Apollo VD Wendi Kurt Hoeve (ITA) 36.8
3 Dirk Schrade/King Artus (GER) 39.2
4 Jonathan Paget/Clifton Promise (NZL) 39.7
5 William Fox-Pitt/Parklane Hawk (GBR) 40.0

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 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
T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk

Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T.

Jung Sets Up a Thriller at Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

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Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam take the lead after Dressage at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 4 May, 2013 – Olympic, World and European Champion Michael Jung (GER) punched the air in a rare show of emotion as he left the Dressage arena at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR), fourth leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

Jung, who is competing for the first time at Badminton, was visibly thrilled by the crowd’s response to his superb test on La Biosthetique Sam which earned a mark of 36.0 penalties and gives him a fractional lead going into tomorrow’s Cross Country phase.

“There is a lot of atmosphere here but Sam was relaxed and he did a fantastic job,” Jung said afterwards. “I didn’t know the result when I came out of the arena, but I had a very good feeling about it.”

When asked whether he felt under pressure to prove himself at Badminton, one of the few major prizes missing from his CV, 30-year-old Jung laughed: “Of course I was a little nervous, but I think the riders most under pressure here are Andrew Nicholson and William Fox-Pitt!”

Another Badminton first-timer, Italian army rider Stefano Brecciaroli (ITA), was also smiling broadly when he left the arena. He and his magnificent Belgian-bred horse, Apollo VD Wendi Kurt Hoeve, presented an elegant picture and surprised no-one when they were the first pair to score under 40 penalties. The Italian duo is lying second on 36.8 penalties.

Brecciaroli, who has won a CIC3* with Apollo on British soil this spring, was second after Dressage at the London Olympic Games last year, eventually finishing 19th. For the last month, the Italian has been based with his close friend Andrew Nicholson (NZL), riding the Kiwi’s horses during his absence on his winning trip to Kentucky, and Nicholson has tipped Brecciaroli to win this weekend: “I’ve been teaching him to go much faster across country!”

Jung’s three Olympic team mates are all in the top 13. Dirk Schrade (GER) and the smart King Artus posted one of their best performances to slot into third on 39.2; individual Olympic bronze medallist Sandra Auffarth (GER) is in equal seventh place with a mark of 41.3 on Opgun Louvo, and Ingrid Klimke (GER) is 13th on Butts Abraxxas.

The ever-sporting Klimke put a good face on what was, for her, a disappointing Dressage mark of 44.2. “It was like sitting on a five-year-old, not a 16-year-old,” she said of her double Olympic gold medal ride. “He was so relaxed outside, but the wind and the clapping made him want to change legs all the time. That was not our best test!”

The rising New Zealand star Jonathan Paget and his Pau runner-up, Clifton Promise, are fourth on 39.7. Paget has been training in Germany with Jung during the winter and his time with the German supremo is obviously paying off handsomely.

The Rolex Grand Slam is proving a thrilling sub-plot at Badminton and the two contenders could not be more closely matched. William Fox-Pitt is in fifth place on Parklane Hawk on 40.0 and Andrew Nicholson, the current HSBC FEI Classics leader, is sixth, a mere 0.2 of a penalty in arrears, on Nereo.

Nicholson is also 14th on Avebury and Fox-Pitt is equal 16th with Oslo in a closely-packed field in which 10 penalties covers the top 16 places.

Pippa Funnell (GBR), the only rider to have achieved the Grand Slam, 10 years ago, pulled off a superb piece of riding to be equal seventh on Redesigned, a horse that has been out of top level competition for three years.

Nicholson, whose best Badminton result is second behind Fox-Pitt in 2004, has been single-mindedly targeting the event for six months. “I’ve got two good horses that I have faith in,” he says.

“Avebury is the friendlier of the two, but he can be naughty if he thinks he can get away with it. If you don’t watch him when you turn him out, he’ll snatch the halter rope out of your hand and go galloping around, having a laugh. Nereo, who is a bit shy, is much more polite and is always 100% on your side.”

Fox-Pitt predicts that the anti-clockwise direction of the Cross Country course – it is reversed each year – offers the more rhythmic track. “I don’t think there’s a bogey fence,” he commented, “but the cumulative effect of so many technical questions will be influential. The last two to three minutes are particularly intense.”

Schrade comments that course designer Hugh Thomas (GBR) has produced every sort of question possible. “I think he will get what every designer wants, with faults around the whole course. It’s very well designed.”

Don’t miss a hoofbeat. Follow the live action on www.feitv.org.

FEI TV will be LIVE for tomorrow’s Cross Country, and Monday’s Jumping (6 May) at Badminton – see start times on www.feitv.org/live.

Follow live results: www.badminton-horse.co.uk.

View full standings here.

FEI TV, the FEI’s official video website, will be LIVE for Cross Country (5 May) and Jumping (6 May) at Badminton – see start times on www.feitv.org/live.

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

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.

Australians Take Control at Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

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Christopher Burton (AUS) and Holstein Park Leilani take the lead after the first day of Dressage at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 3 May, 2013 – Two members of Australia’s 2012 Olympic team head the leaderboard after the first day of Dressage as anticipation builds at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR), fourth leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

Christopher Burton (AUS), who proved such a brilliant pathfinder when first out on the course at the London 2012 Olympic Games, scored 43.0 in Badminton’s atmospheric arena to lie a fraction of a penalty ahead of his compatriot, Sam Griffiths on Happy Times.

The pair are also old friends and 31-year-old Burton, who won the Adelaide CCI4* in 2008, was based with Griffiths and his wife Lucy when he first came to England two years ago.

Burton is well known as a talented showman in the Dressage arena. He said of his mount, Jean and Jade Findlay’s 17-year-old warmblood mare, Holstein Park Leilani: “Back at home in Australia, I said ‘this is a Badminton horse’, but I certainly didn’t expect to be in the lead here.

“She’s a lovely mare but not the most extravagant mover, so you have to really ride her. I’m thrilled because I was aiming to score under 45, and so to be in the lead on 43 feels incredible.”

In contrast, Griffiths and the 14-year-old Happy Times are old hands at Badminton, having finished third in 2009 and fourth in 2011. “He’s an experienced campaigner and he’s in good form,” Griffiths said.

“I hope his Dressage mark will hold up, because we’ve got some really good combinations coming up tomorrow, but it means I’m in a good place psychologically.”

This halfway stage of the HSBC FEI Classics season is an opportunity for other riders to get a foothold on the leaderboard, but the current leader Andrew Nicholson (NZL) shows no signs of relinquishing his commanding position without a fight.

He is currently in third place at Badminton on 45.0 on his Burghley winner, the crowd-pleasing grey Avebury, with his Pau winner Nereo to come tomorrow.

Both Nicholson and William Fox-Pitt (GBR), who are head to head in a thrilling battle for the Rolex Grand Slam this weekend, seem to be handling the intense media attention with equanimity.

“I’m not really thinking about the Grand Slam,” admitted Nicholson. “My main objective has always been to win Badminton and it’s been fixed in my mind since last year because I’ve got such a good string of horses at the moment. The Grand Slam is a bit of a dream, but I did go to Kentucky to put myself in contention for it. And, of course,” he laughed, “if I win Badminton, the Grand Slam will fall into place!”

Fox-Pitt is currently only 0.8 of a penalty adrift of Nicholson, in equal fourth place with Ireland’s Aoife Clark on Master Crusoe. His first ride, Oslo, winner of Pau as a precocious nine-year-old in 2011, is owned by a syndicate of 12 owners, the oldest of whom, Delia Cunningham, is 92.

“He’s good at dressage and he’s always on your side, but he can be a bit cheeky,” said Fox-Pitt of the French-bred gelding who spent last year side-lined with an injury.

Olympic champion Michael Jung (GER) made his Badminton debut on Leopin FST and is in sixth place on 46.5 after a customarily well-ridden performance. “It’s very nice to be here,” he said. “The Cross Country has good distances between fences where you can gallop – it’s very different from the Olympics!”

The defending Badminton champion, Sir Mark Todd (NZL), is only in 37th place with a mark of 67.8 on his first ride, Major Milestone, but he is not downhearted.  “He’s not built for dressage and he doesn’t enjoy it. We both just have to get through it because he’s a very good jumper. My ambition with him is to win the Glentrool Trophy! [for the rider who makes the greatest improvement on their Dressage score]”

The footing at Badminton is in perfect condition, and predictions are that quite a few riders will achieve the optimum time, but riders are regarding the fences with great respect.

Nicholson commented: “I thought it was a bit softer at the start until I had a second walk and I’ve realised there are some very tricky fences out there. At the Lake (fence 9), there is a big fence in and really quite difficult 120-degree turn. It’s a proper fence, as it should be at this level.

“The course is pretty decent all the way round. There’s open corners, the Mirage Pond (fence 14) is hard to judge because you’re not sure where you’re going to land, and at the Shogun Hollow (fence 18) there’s a long distance to the third box which will cause difficulty for horses that find it difficult to adjust their strides.”

Badminton has received unprecedented spectator interest this year, and ticket sales are about 10% up on last year, when the event had to be cancelled due to wet weather. There are 84 horses in the field representing 15 nations.

Director Hugh Thomas, who says his Cross Country course is “the strongest it’s been for a while”, said of the line-up: ”For those of us who have been involved in the sport for a long time, to have Fox-Pitt versus Nicholson versus Jung is a tasty dish. However, the reality is that there are actually about 15 combinations here who could win.”

Follow live results: www.badminton-horse.co.uk.

View full standings here.

FEI TV, the FEI’s official video website, will be LIVE for Cross Country (5 May) and Jumping (6 May) at Badminton – see start times on www.feitv.org/live.

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

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.

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
T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk

*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.

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

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

Eventing/H.T., Revolution Sports

Horse & Country TV Announces Extensive Badminton Line-up for 2013

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12 April 2013 – Specialist equestrian channel Horse & Country TV (Sky Channel 280) today announced full details of its coverage of this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. This will include preview and highlights shows, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes content from Badminton through Rudall’s Round-Up and the all-new Badminton: A Rider’s View.

Premiering on Monday 29 April 2013 at 2100hrs (BST), Horse & Country TV will show a special Badminton Preview programme focusing on three of the world’s greatest event riders: Michael Jung (GER), William Fox-Pitt (GBR), and Andrew Nicholson (NZL). Jung is the reigning Olympic, World and European champion. Notwithstanding his extraordinary record, 2013 will be Michael’s first-ever appearance at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. Fox-Pitt has five horses to choose from in his attempt to claim the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing accolade, by adding the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors title to his wins at the 2011 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Andrew Nicholson, the man with by far the most Badminton completions to his name, but without a win, was on a roll at the end of 2012 with victories at the HSBC FEI Classics at Burghley and Pau.

From 12 April 2013 onwards visitors to Horse & Country TV’s website (www.horseandcountry.tv) will be able to see a 15-minute Course Walk with Event Director and course designer, Hugh Thomas, who will be accompanied by Beijing 2008 bronze medallist, Daisy Berkeley. Thomas has said that the Cross-Country course will be similar to the one prepared for last year’s cancelled show; however, a few tweaks have been incorporated.

At the event itself the Horse & Country TV team will be present throughout, filming a Rudall’s Round-Up special to be premiered on 13 May 2013 at 2030hrs (BST). As ever, presenter Jenny Rudall will be taking the audience behind the scenes and interviewing the riders and personalities who help make Badminton such a landmark in the equestrian calendar.

On 16 May 2013 at 2000hrs (BST) Horse & Country TV will premiere a one-hour Badminton Highlights show featuring key action from this year’s competition. Produced for the FEI, the programme will feature extensive Cross-Country footage as well as the final rounds of the Show Jumping where the competition will be won or lost.

Perhaps the most exciting new aspect of Horse & Country TV’s Badminton coverage this year will be a specially commissioned one-hour documentary – Badminton: A Rider’s View. In the run up to, and throughout the whole competition, Jenny Rudall will follow top eventer Francis Whittington, visiting his yard to observe and document his training regime first-hand, including a lesson with World Class Performance Manager, Yogi Breisner. The programme will give unique insight into what it takes to get horse and rider to peak condition and ready to compete at the highest level. Badminton: A Rider’s View is sponsored by Francis’s feed partner, Saracen Horse Feeds.

Commenting on this year’s line-up Richard Burdett, Managing Director of Horse & Country TV, said:

“This is our most ambitious Badminton schedule to date and it reflects the combination of top quality sports action and behind the scenes insight and access that our viewers love. We’re delighted to have Saracen’s support in the making of Badminton: A Rider’s View which will be a unique window into the world of top class eventing.”

Hugh Thomas, Event Director at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, commented:

“We are delighted that Horse & Country TV is able to show so much of Badminton, with in-depth coverage that could not be shown on the terrestrial broadcast channels.”

For further media information, please contact:
Tim Welland
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk

About Horse & Country TV

Horse & Country TV lives on-air, on cable and satellite (Sky channel 280), and online at www.horseandcountry.tv and www.horseandcountrytv.nl. The Channel broadcasts exclusive sports event coverage, news, documentary and personality-led programming to the passionate audience for horse sports and country living. At the UK’s Broadcast Digital Awards Horse & Country TV won “Best Specialist Channel” in 2011 and was shortlisted in two categories this year. Online Horse & Country TV publishes blogs and commentary provided by a range of experts and personalities, an extensive range of equestrian video, a calendar of events, as well as programme support material for all of the Channel’s featured shows. Horse & Country TV’s role as a community hub for the horse and countryside loving community is reflected in the Channel’s 500,000+ viewers each month, 80,000+ Facebook fans and 10,000+ followers on Twitter.

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Eventing/H.T., Events

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Prize Criteria Clarification

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2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials Cancellation

01 May 2012 – In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This prize is awarded to any rider who wins each of the Rolex Grand Slam Events, namely the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials consecutively.

Following the cancellation of the 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials due to adverse weather conditions, Rolex and the organisers of the three Rolex Grand Slam events wish to clarify the eligibility of a rider claiming the Rolex Grand Slam prize of $350,000. To confirm, the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize will be awarded to any rider who wins all three events consecutively.

Continue reading Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Prize Criteria Clarification →