William Fox-Pitt (GBR) aboard Cool Mountain winning HSBC FEI Classics™ Rolex 3-Day Event (Click for larger image)
William Fox-Pitt (GBR) today, 25th April 2010, went clear in the Show Jumping on the final day at the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event to crown his first win at ‘The Rolex’ with his starting dressage score of 42.8.
Audio interviews with William Fox-Pitt, Phillip Dutton, Becky Holder, the press conference after Day Three with the riders, Rupert Bell ‘s live commentary on William Fox-Pitt’s Show Jumping round, plus an interview with Oliver Townend reflecting on his cross country day and attempt to win the Rolex Grand Slam, are also available to listen to, and download for free, on the links below:
William Fox-Pitt (GBR) aboard Cool Mountain on their way to victory in the first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ at Lexington,KY (USA). Click on image for larger view.
25 April 2010 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) said he did not come to the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event with the expectation of winning, but, once in the driving seat, he was clearly not going to relinquish the golden opportunity without a fight and he now has his first Rolex watch to complement his seven other 4-star wins.
William Fox-Pitt (GBR) aboard Cool Mountain on their way to victory in the first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ at Lexington,KY (USA). Click on image for larger view.
And, with the choice of three good rides – Idalgo, Macchiato and Sea Cookie – at next weekend’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, he could gain a commanding advantage in the HSBC FEI Classics™, an award he won in its inaugural year in 2008.
Cool Mountain, his winning ride at Kentucky, is a 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by the prolific Eventing sire Primitive Rising. This was his 4-star debut, having won at 3-star level, at Blair Castle (GBR) last year and been consistent throughout his career.
“He is a pleasure to train,” said Fox-Pitt. “He is very straightforward and genuine, and I have always felt there was more to come. I am absolutely thrilled with him, though – to win is beyond my wildest dreams.”
Fox-Pitt’s nearest rival, Kimberley Severson (USA) had a most unfortunate Jumping round – a total of 32 faults (24 jumping, 12 time) and plummeted to 25th, and it was the 2008 winner, Phillip Dutton (USA), who rose three places to 2nd on Woodburn with a clear round.
Becky Holder (USA) retained 3rd place on Courageous Comet with just one rail, but Boyd Martin’s meteoric rise continued, up another four places to 4th on Neville Bardos, and Canadian Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch and Port Authority continued upwards, to eventual 5th place with a clean sheet. In addition, she won the HSBC Training Bursary for the best-placed first-time 4-star competitor.
Oliver Townend (GBR) was discharged from hospital in the morning, but having sustained minor injuries, could not jump his ODT Master Rose and so withdrew.
37 horses completed the competition with 9 clear Jumping rounds.
Prize Money
HSBC will contribute US$ 1million to the series over the next three years. Prize-money is awarded, as follows, to the top five riders on the leaderboard after the fifth and final event:
WINNERS OF THE 2009 SEASON
1. Oliver Townend (GBR) – US$ 150,000 (Series champion);
2. Dirk Schrade (GER) – US$ 75,000;
3. Andreas Dibowski – (GER) US$ 50,000;
4. William Fox-Pitt (GBR) – US$ 33,000;
5. Sam Griffiths (AUS) – US$ 25,000
Notes to Editors
HSBC, the world’s local bank, is a platinum partner of FEI and global sponsor of the eventing discipline.
As part of this partnership, HSBC is title sponsor of the HSBC FEI Classics™ and HSBC FEI World Cup™.
At the centre of all HSBC’s sponsorships is a commitment to youth, education and community. The Pony Club and HSBC have teamed up to create the HSBC Pony Club Eventing Training Programme.
For further information, including Rules and Standings, visit www.fei.org. Previews, reports, results and photographs for each event will be available from the FEI throughout the season.
