First leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™
Lexington, KY (USA), 21-25 April 2010

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) said he did not come to the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event with the expectation of winning, but, once in the driving seat, he was clearly not going to relinquish the golden opportunity without a fight and he now has his first Rolex watch to complement his seven other 4-star wins.

And, with the choice of three good rides – Idalgo, Macchiato and Sea Cookie – at next weekend’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, he could gain a commanding advantage in the HSBC FEI Classics™, an award he won in its inaugural year in 2008.

Cool Mountain, his winning ride at Kentucky, is a 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by the prolific Eventing sire Primitive Rising. This was his 4-star debut, having won at 3-star level, at Blair Castle (GBR) last year and been consistent throughout his career.

“He is a pleasure to train,” said Fox-Pitt. “He is very straightforward and genuine, and I have always felt there was more to come. I am absolutely thrilled with him, though – to win is beyond my wildest dreams.”

Fox-Pitt’s nearest rival, Kimberley Severson (USA) had a most unfortunate Jumping round – a total of 32 faults (24 jumping, 12 time) and plummeted to 25th, and it was the 2008 winner, Phillip Dutton (USA), who rose three places to 2nd on Woodburn with a clear round.

Becky Holder (USA) retained 3rd place on Courageous Comet with just one rail, but Boyd Martin’s meteoric rise continued, up another four places to 4th on Neville Bardos, and Canadian Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch and Port Authority continued upwards, to eventual 5th place with a clean sheet. In addition, she won the HSBC Training Bursary for the best-placed first-time 4-star competitor.

Oliver Townend (GBR) was discharged from hospital in the morning, but having sustained minor injuries, could not jump his ODT Master Rose and so withdrew.

37 horses completed the competition with 9 clear Jumping rounds.

Results and Standings
1 William Fox-Pitt/Cool Mountain (GBR) 42.8 + 0 + 0 = 42.8, 15 points
2 Phillip Dutton/Woodburn (USA) 47.7 + 0 + 0 = 47.6, 12 points
3 Becky Holder/Courageous Comet (USA) 45.2 + 0 + 4 = 49.2, 10 points
4 Boyd Martin/Neville Bardos (USA) 51.8 + 0 + 0 = 51.8, 8 points
5 Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch/Port Authority (CAN) 52 + 0 + 0 = 52, 6 points
6 Phillip Dutton/The Foreman (USA) 47.2 + 0.4 + 8 = 56
7 Karen O’Connor/Mandiba (USA) 43.7 + 4.4 + 8 = 56.1, 4 points
8 Selina O’Hanlon/Colombo (CAN) 52.7 + 0 + 4 = 56.7, 3 points
9 Hawley Bennett-Awad/Gin & Juice (CAN) 53.8 + 0 + 4 = 57.8, 2 points
10 Michelle Mueller/Amistad (CAN) 52.5 + 6.4 + 4 = 62.9, 1 point

Full results on www.rk3de.org

HSBC FEI Classics™ Calendar of Events in 2010
1. 21-25 April - Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event (USA)
2. 30 April - 03 May - Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR)
3. 17-20 June - Luhmühlen CCI**** presented by E.ON Avacon (GER)
4. 2-5 September - Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR)
5. 4-7 November - Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA) 

Prize Money
HSBC will contribute US$ 1million to the series over the next three years. Prize-money is awarded, as follows, to the top five riders on the leaderboard after the fifth and final event:

WINNERS OF THE 2009 SEASON
1. Oliver Townend (GBR) - US$ 150,000 (Series champion);
2. Dirk Schrade (GER) - US$ 75,000;
3. Andreas Dibowski - (GER) US$ 50,000;
4. William Fox-Pitt (GBR) - US$ 33,000;
5. Sam Griffiths (AUS) - US$ 25,000

Photo caption: William Fox-Pitt GBR) aboard Cool Mountain on their way to victory in the first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ at Lexington,KY (USA). (c) Amy Dragoo