Buck and Ballynoe Castle RM at the Plantation Field CIC3*. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Riders from 17 countries will ride in the CCI4* at Pau this weekend, the first stop on the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/13 calendar and one of only six four-star events in the world. We’ll see a smattering of heavy hitters, including our own Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz and Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM. While all eyes will be on Michael Jung — also known as Ze Terminator, the only rider in history to simultaneously hold the Olympic, World and European titles — the star-studded lineup means anything could happen.
[Website] [Schedule] [Entry List] [Interactive Cross-Country Course]
The HSBC FEI Classics series is comprised of the world’s six four-star events: Pau, Oct. 24-28; Adelaide, Nov. 22-25; Rolex, April 25-28; Badminton, May 3-6; Luhmuhlen, June 13-16; and Burghley, Sept. 5-8. The top five riders with the most cumulative points at the end of the HSBC FEI Classics series split $333,000 in prize money, with the top rider earning $150,000 as the series champion. This year, William Fox-Pitt took him the HSBC FEI Classics top prize, with Andrew Nicholson in second, Allison Springer in third, Michael Jung in fourth and Stuart Tinney in fifth.
Colleen and Shiraz at The Fork CIC3*. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Some notable names and their mounts competing at Pau this weekend:
Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz — Colleen and Shiraz have already made one trip across the pond this year to compete at Luhmühlen, where they placed 16th. While Colleen fell from Luke at Richland, the two bounced back at Plantation to place 25th in the CIC3*.
Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM — Buck and Ballynoe Castle RM most recently placed third in the CIC3* at Plantation Field. Other notable placings this year include sixth in Advanced at the American Eventing Championships, third in the CIC3* at Richland and fourth in the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh in May.
Michael Jung and Leopin FST — While it seems like there aren’t any titles left for Michael Jung to win, the honor of HSBC FEI Classics Series Champion still eludes him. He’ll be looking to start the series off with a bang on Leopin FST, who helped Michael to a win at Luhmühlen in June. Leopin also won the CIC3* at Fontainebleau in March.
William Fox-Pitt and Navigator/Bay My Hero/Chilly Morning — While Navigator placed 15th at Badminton and 11th at Barbury last year, we haven’t seen him out much this year. He most recently won an Advanced at Little Downham last month. Bay My Hero won the CIC3* at Tattersalls in May and placed 2nd in the CIC3* for 8- and 9-year-olds at Blenheim in June. Chilli Morning won the CIC3* at Brahmam in June.
Andrew Nicholson and Nereo/Mr. Cruise Control — Nereo is fresh off a spectacular fourth-place finish in the London Olympics, where he helped win a team bronze medal for New Zealand and just narrowly missed an individual bronze medal. This horse also ran second in the Bramham CIC3* in July. Andrew will also be riding Mr. Cruise Control at Pau, who was fifth in the Hartpury CIC3* in July and 26th at Luhmühlen in June.
Mary King and Imperial Cavalier/King’s Temptress — Mary King’s Olympic mount Imperial Cavalier is back after helping the British eventing team to a silver medal; he and Mary finished fifth individually. The horse’s other notable placings this year include 30th at the Barbury CIC3* in June and 11th at the Houghton Hall CIC3* in May. King’s Temptress last ran at Burghley, where Mary retired the horse on cross country. The two placed 21st in the CIC3* at Barbury and 22nd in the CIC3* at Houghton Hall.
Jonathan Paget and Clifton Promise — Clifton Promise also played a role in helping Jock Paget and the rest of the New Zealand eventing team to a bronze medal in London; the horse finished 10th individually. Jock and Clifton Promise also put in an impressive performance at Rolex this year, finishing sixth.
Mark Todd and Major Milestone — After withdrawing from Luhmühlen following dressage, Major Milestone finished 12th at Burghley and 16th in the CIC3* at Hartpury. This horse also ran sixth at the CIC3* at Tattersalls in May.
Christopher Burton and Underdiscussion — Christopher Burton and Underdiscussion won the Aachen CIC3* in July and most recently placed 19th in the CIC3* at Blenheim in September.
