By Kate Green

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and the eye-catching chestnut stallion Chilli Morning set the competition alight at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), third leg of the 2012/2013 HSBC FEI Classics™, with a superb Dressage test today, to go into the lead with a 4.7 penalty advantage.

But a thrilling showdown is now assured as Andrew Nicholson (NZL), Fox-Pitt’s only challenger for the Rolex Grand Slam, is breathing down his neck in second and third places with Quimbo and Calico Joe.

Nicholson, the current HSBC FEI Classics™ leader after his victory at Pau (FRA) last year, scored the only other sub-40 penalties mark with the exciting prospect Quimbo. Earlier, he set an early standard with a mark of 40.8 on his first ride, Calico Joe, who put in a significantly improved performance in this phase.

“I hoped the test would score in the 30s and I did have a sneaky look at the scoreboard, at which point I thought ‘OK, right!” said Fox-Pit, who has won at Kentucky twice before, in 2010 and last year.

“It can be quite demoralising to look at the marks sometimes, but this was feeling so good I thought it was worth the risk. Chilli has an amazing presence and loves being in the arena where he thinks he’s king.”

Chilli Morning was fifth at Pau last year, but a stallion has never won at CCI4* level before – there are currently only three competing at this level in the world. However, Fox-Pitt, who took over the ride last year after the horse was produced by British rider Nick Gauntlett, explained: “It puts him under extra pressure, of course, but he’s got a great temperament. He’s a very dear, kind horse that you can give a cuddle to. He never puts his ears back and is a real gentleman.”

In contrast to the vast combined experience of Fox-Pitt and Nicholson, fourth-placed Alexandra Knowles (USA), a young rider and CCI4* débutant based locally in Paris, Kentucky, has found herself in exalted company. She scored the excellent mark of 43.3 on the mare Last Call and is 0.7 ahead of another big name, Mary King (GBR), riding the grey Fernhill Urco.

King, the 2011 winner at Kentucky, is tied in fifth place with last year’s HSBC Training Bursary winner, Marilyn Little (USA) on RF Demeter.
Fox-Pitt, who will be first out of the 46-starter field on tomorrow’s Cross Country course on Seacookie TSF, currently lying 10th, says he is looking forward to riding Derek di Grazia’s course.

“It looks a superb course, but we all know that things can change. There are some big questions out there, and lots of turns and skinny fences, but the footing is amazing, especially considering all the rain we had on Wednesday.”

Results after Dressage
1 William Fox-Pitt/Chilli Morning (GBR) 33.3
2 Andrew Nicholson/Quimbo (NZL) 38.0
3 Andrew Nicholson/Calico Joe (NZL) 40.8
4 Alexandra Knowles/Last Call (USA) 43.3
5 Mary King/Fernhill Urco (GBR) 43.7
6 Marilyn Little/RF Demeter (USA) 43.7
7 Becky Holder/Can’t Fire Me (USA) 44.2
8 Buck Davidson/Ballynoe Castle RM (USA) 45.2
9 Shandiss McDonald/Rockfield Grant Juan (USA) 45.7
10 William Fox-Pitt/Seacookie TSF (GBR) 46.2

See full leaderboard here.

Download the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012/2013 press kit: www.feipresskits.org

HSBC’s Training Bursary
At the centre of HSBC’s sponsorship is a commitment to the development of the sport of Eventing at every level. As part of its support of the HSBC FEI Classics™, HSBC has introduced a Training Bursary. This is a unique award which is presented to the highest placed rider never to have previously completed a 4-star level event. The winning rider receives a training voucher to the value of US $1,000 to be spent on sessions with a trainer of the athlete’s choice approved by the FEI and National Federation.  

HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012/2013 calendar
1 Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA) - 24-28 October 2012
2 Australian International 3 Day Event (AUS) - 22-25 November 2012
3 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) - 25-28 April 2013
4 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) - 3-6 May 2013
5 Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by DHL PAKET (GER) - 13-16 June 2013
6 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) - 5-8 September 2013

Notes to editors
HSBC, the platinum partner of the FEI and global sponsor of Eventing, has supported the HSBC FEI Classics™ series, which unites the top end of the international Eventing circuit, since 2008.

View the current HSBC FEI Classics™ series standings here.

FEI TV, the FEI's official video website, will cover the action LIVE in Kentucky (see start times on www.feitv.org/live):
27 April - Cross Country
28 April - Jumping
 
 In our HSBC FEI Hub, you can access the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012/2013 series standings, HSBC Rankings and all news relating to the current and past series.
 
Prize money
The HSBC FEI Classics™ prize fund is the largest on offer in the sport of Eventing on an annual basis. At the end of the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012/2013 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected across the six HSBC FEI Classics™ events will share 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
The rider at the top of the HSBC Rankings at the end of the 2013 Eventing season will receive a US $50,000 bonus. The winning rider will be announced in December 2013.
 
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
 
Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Media Contact
Marty Bauman                         
marty@classic-communications.com           
+1 508 698 6810 ext. 10