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Federation
Equestre Internationale News
FEI Eventing World Cup News
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William
Fox-Pitt (GBR), riding the 17-year old gelding Stunning, won the
eighth leg of the FEI Eventing World Cup held at the Chatsworth
International Horse Trials (GBR) on 11 and 12 May. In doing so,
he ended the winning run of his team mate Pippa Funnell who, coming
fresh from her four-star wins at Kentucky and Badminton, placed
second on Walk on Star. Fox-Pitt and Funnell, who had performed
the qualifier's best Dressage test, tied for first position after
the Cross Country, but Funnell had a Jumping rail down and one
time penalty while Fox-Pitt jumped clear the rain-soaked course.
Fox-Pitt,
number one of the 2002 FEI World Eventing Rankings, is with 30
points in the lead of the World Cup series along with Philip Dutton
(GBR), Andrew Nicholson (NZL), Jean Teulere (FRA), Gina Miles
(USA), Andreas Dibowski (GER), Gustavo Mourao (BRA) and Pia Pantsu
(FIN). Chatsworth is his second World Cup qualifier following
the inaugural event at Gatcombe Park (GBR) in August 2002 where
he took the third position with Moon Man and the fourth with Stunning,
who has retired from Three Day Eventing to contest CICs only.
"The
FEI World Cup is an exciting concept for riders and something
we have looked forward to happening for a long time," said
Fox-Pitt. "Everyone will want to ride their best horse in
the final because it will be a prestigious competition with a
good prize fund. Chatsworth was a terrific weekend and showed
the sport at its best."
The
third place went to the young Irish rider, Pip Peters on Tir Na
Doone, twice a silver medallist in Junior European Championships.
She also won the best under-25 prize. Matt Ryan (AUS) on Bonza
Puzzle placed fourth, followed by Leslie Law(GBR) on Matt Butler
fifth and Neil Spratt (NZL) sixth.
A
strong field of 59 riders representing Australia, Brazil, Great
Britain, Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles,
New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Sweden and Tunisia started and
44 completed the competition.
The
full results can be found on www.bdwp.co.uk/aallen
and the updated rankings on http://www.horsesport.org/fei/consult/consult_02/con_02_03.html.
The
next FEI World Cup qualifier will take place on 24 and 25 May
at Bonn Rodderberg (GER). The Final will be held in Pau (FRA)
from 23 to 26 October.
It will be contested by 45 of the world's top riders.
www.horsesport.org
.