Record entry for HSBC FEI Classics series
Sunday, October 19, 2008
A record entry will ensure a competitive field for Les Etoiles de Pau, the French four-star three-day-event (24-27 October).
Les Etoiles de Pau is the final leg in the inaugural HSBC FEI Classics™ Series. The French four-star is the last of the five four-star events that comprise the HSBC FEI Classics™ and placings here will therefore ultimately decide who goes home with a significant bonus of several thousand dollars courtesy of HSBC.
British Olympian William Fox-Pitt, the winner at both Luhmühlen, presented by E.ON Avacon, and The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, goes to Pau in the knowledge that his formidable lead in the HSBC FEI Classics™ Standings is unassailable and a cheque for US$150,000 is all but in the bank. None-the-less the Dorset-based rider has entered a good horse, the French-bred Idalgo, who has been lightly competed this season and for whom it will be a first competition at this highest level.
Aside from the first prize of US$150,000, there is a further US$183,000 of prize-money in the HSBC Classics™ Series that will be shared down the line to fifth place and, with just five points dividing nine riders, there will be all to ride for in Pau.
French favourite Nicolas Touzaint, currently in third place in the HSBC FEI Classics™ Standings, will be one of the favourites to win the event. The flying Frenchman returns to Pau with Hildago de L’Ile, his winner here last year with whom he went on to win the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in May. Nicolas also has a second entry with Tatchou. Not only will he be returning to defend his title in Pau, but a win will add valuable points to his HSBC FEI Classic™ Standings and the possibility of a US$75,000 bonus if he can move up to second place. The home crowd in Pau will also be supporting Aurelian Kahn and Lord de Ligniere. The combination who won the seven-year-old age group at the FEI World Championship for Young Event Horses at Le Lion D’Angers three years ago will be making their four-star debut.
A large British contingent will be among those heading to the south of France. They include British open champion Ruth Edge, reigning World Champion Zara Phillips and British Olympic team bronze medallist Mary King. British riders Pippa Funnell, who was third at Pau last year on Ensign, and Oliver Townend are also entered and Lucy Wiegersma is another who will be looking to further improve on her current place, fifth, in the HSBC FEI Classics™ Standings.
Australian Olympic team silver medallist Clayton Fredericks, winner of the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing final, is among the entries as is his fellow Australian Andrew Hoy, while Bettina Hoy will be flying the flag for Germany. New Zealand veteran Andrew Nicholson and top Belgian international Karin Donkers will also ensure that no one can be guaranteed an easy passage to the top of the leaderboard.
Les Etoiles de Pau, which is situated close to the Pyrenees National Park, takes place from Thursday October 24 to Sunday October 27.
