Live Results from Tallahassee FEI World Cup

Posted on Friday, 05 March 2010 03:29PM by

HSBC FEI WORLD CUP™ Eventing kicks off with new improved formula 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 10 September to 25 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