HSBC, in partnership with the FEI, has created a rider armband to identify the current leader in the HSBC Rankings.

The red and white armband featuring “HSBC Eventing World Rankings Leader” will be debuted by Mary King (GBR), remaining with her for as long as she stays at the top of the HSBC Rankings. The armband will be passed on if King is overtaken in the rankings.

In a further initiative, the rider at the top of the HSBC Rankings at the end of the 2011 Eventing season will receive a 50,000 USD bonus.

Mary King, Rolex Kentucky winner and runner-up, currently leads the HSBC Rankings with 634 points – a single point ahead of compatriot William Fox-Pitt (633). Andrew Nicholson (NZL) is third with 506 points.

As the HSBC Rankings are announced on the first day of every month, all eyes at the beginning of August will be on who will be wearing the new armband at the HSBC FEI European Championships 2011 in Luhmühlen (25-28 August).

“I think this is a lovely way for fans to follow the rankings and easily see who the leading rider is,” said Mary King, HSBC World Rankings leading rider for July. “I’m delighted to be wearing it for the first time and hope to be sporting it again this season.”

“Our elite Eventing riders have all been on song this season - it’s been thrilling to watch and is creating immense excitement in the run up to London 2012,” said Catrin Norinder, Director of the FEI’s Eventing & Olympic Department. “Mary King’s performances this season, and especially at the second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ at Rolex Kentucky, are extraordinary and we’re looking forward to a great summer of sport.”

The HSBC Rankings were launched in 2008, when HSBC became the global sponsor of FEI Eventing.

This latest initiative follows HSBC’s decision to renew its support for a further three-year term to include title sponsorships of HSBC FEI Classics™ until the end of 2013 and of the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships in 2011 and 2013.

View the HSBC Rankings here and read about HSBC’s involvement with the FEI and equestrian sports here.

Editors notes
A full overview of the HSBC Rankings points system is here.

Photo caption: Mary King (GBR), the first rider to wear the red and white armband featuring “HSBC Eventing World Rankings Leader”.