Two British riders, long-time team mates and friends, will do battle for the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 top spot this weekend (13-16 October) at Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), which is also the 2012 season opener.  

Athletes from 17 nations will compete at the popular CCI4* in the shadow of the Pyrenees, where they have the unique opportunity to secure points for the 2012 season which for the first time includes Australia’s premier event, the Adelaide International Horse Trials (18-20 November).

HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 - closely fought battle

Only series leader Mary King (GBR) or compatriot William Fox-Pitt can win this year’s HSBC FEI Classics™ and with just 13 points between them it will be an intense finale.

Fox-Pitt, who won the HSBC FEI Classics™ in 2008 and 2010, can only beat King if he wins and she finishes lower than eighth. So while he heads into Pau as the world number one in the HSBC Rankings - this time 13 points ahead of Mary and with the prospect of receiving the 50,000 USD bonus - he is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to become Series Champion and has taken advantage of Pau’s decision to allow riders to compete with three horses.

Fox-Pitt will ride two nine-year-olds, Oslo and Lionheart, recently first and third in the Blenheim (GBR) CIC3* for young horses, and the experienced CCI4* horse Macchiato, fifth at Burghley (GBR) last year.

King, who has declared the HSBC FEI Classics™ to be her major goal this year, has planned her season carefully and still has two horses fresh: Apache Sauce, eighth at Luhmühlen, and Imperial Cavalier on which she was third at Badminton (GBR) but suffered a fall at the HSBC FEI European Championships.

“Pau will provide a unique opportunity for athletes who have not figured prominently in this year’s HSBC FEI Classics™ to get an early foothold on the 2012 series,” explained Catrin Norinder, Director of Eventing & Olympic at the FEI.

“We have seen incredible performances this season and we expect some significant changes at the top of the leaderboard at Pau - it will be a fitting finale and launch into the 2012 season.”  

Piggy French (GBR) and Mark Todd (NZL), currently occupying third and fourth places, do not have rides for Pau. Likewise, Andreas Dibowski (GER) who is in fifth place will not be competing in Pau.

Andrew Nicholson (NZL), who is in sixth place, is only just outside the top five money prizes and could benefit with his three experienced rides: Mr Cruise Control, Henry Tankerville and Armada.

His compatriot Caroline Powell (NZL), currently seventh, was in the money last year, and she could do it again this time with Boston Two Tips. Clayton Fredericks (AUS), ninth, is also sure to give it his best with Dunges Laurent Rose and Bendigo, and no one should rule out the European bronze medallist Frank Ostholt (GER), who has his Olympic horse Mr Medicott back in action.

Former dual European Champion Nicolas Touzaint (FRA), who has his 2008 Badminton winner Hildago d’Isle back in action, is also sure to take advantage of the new format at what promises to be a very exciting, competitive and - for some - a lucrative weekend at Pau.

HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011/2012 press kit
Download the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011/2012 press kit at FEI Press Kit Zone.

Watch the action live on FEI TV.

Follow the action at www.event-pau.fr

Free images for editorial purposes are available from the FEI Photo Catalogue.

Editors notes

HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 leaderboard 2011
1 Mary King (GBR) 38 points
2 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) 25
3 Piggy French (GBR) 20
4 Mark Todd (NZL) 15
5 Andreas Dibowski (GER) 15
6 Andrew Nicholson (NZL) 14
7 Caroline Powell (NZL) 13
8 Sandra Auffarth (GER) 12
9 Clayton Fredericks (AUS) 12
10 Sinead Halpin (USA) 10

Full leaderboard can be viewed here.

HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012 calendar
Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA) - 12-16 October 2011
Australian International 3 Day Event (AUS) - 18-20 November 2011
Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) -  26-29 April 2012
Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) - 4-7 May 2012
Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by E.ON (GER) - 14-17 June 2012
The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) - 30 August-2 September 2012

Prize money
At the end of the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 and 2012 seasons, the five riders with the highest number of points collected among the HSBC FEI Classics™ events will be awarded their share of 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
William Fox-Pitt (GBR) is 13 points clear of Mary King and will be wearing the HSBC armband at Pau. Mary King was the first rider to wear the HSBC armband when it was launched at the beginning of July this year. The rider at the top of the HSBC Rankings at the end of the 2011 Eventing season will receive a 50,000 USD bonus.

To view the HSBC Rankings please click here.