The HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing, which kicks off at Tallahassee in Florida (USA) this weekend (5-7 March), is to adopt an improved and exciting new format for 2010.

The series will be run in similar fashion to the prestigious Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ in Jumping, where points gained at each event count towards a lucrative prize pot, in this case awarded to the top 15 riders in the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing standings.

After 12 CIC-W*** events in ten countries across three continents, the 15 most successful riders will share a valuable prize fund worth US$180,000, and excitement is sure to mount as the climax of the season approaches at Schenefeld (GER) at the end of August.

FEI Eventing Committee Chairman Guiseppe della Chiesa comments, “I am delighted with this bold new idea, which I think will reward more riders in a fairer way and provide a more exciting and interesting series that competitors and the media can follow easily.”

The HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing is expected to attract the world’s best horses and riders as they vie for selection for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) in Kentucky (USA) from 25 September to 10 October. The FEI has concluded that the new formula will be neater and more compelling than running a final after the WEG when less combinations will be available to travel.

The new format is designed to provide a more meaningful, interesting and internationally fair system—riders in North America and the Antipodes will have as much chance as their European counterparts in grabbing the lion’s share of HSBC’s generous cash. In addition, each of the 12 events will benefit from a prize-fund worth US$25,000.

Former dual FEI World Cup™ Eventing Champion Clayton Fredericks welcomed the generous financial arrangements, which represents some of the highest available prize-money at this, three-star, level of the sport. He added: “This is going to give a real chance of recognition to a consistent combination, wherever they are in the world, and, just as importantly, it’s going to add extra prestige to individual events, which can only be healthy.”

Calendar of events:

1. Tallahassee (USA), 5-7 March
2. Kihikihi (NZL), 2-4 April
3. Sydney (AUS), 7-9 May
4. Marbach (GER), 7-9 May
5. Chatsworth (GBR), 15-16 May
6. Tattersalls (IRL), 27-30 May
7. Strzegom (POL), 24-27 June
8. Minsk (BLR), 21-25 July
9. Rebecca Farm, Kalispell (USA), 22-25 July
10. Malmö (SWE), 13-15 August
11. Martinvast (FRA) TBC, 18-22 August
12. Schenefeld (GER), 26-29 August

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 on the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing, including Rules and Standings, visit www.feiwordcup.org. Previews, reports, results and photographs for each qualifier will be available from the FEI throughout the season.