Kiwi Eventers Looking to end 2011 Season on a High
Wednesday 12 October 2011, 6:29PM
By Equestrian Sport New Zealand
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Andrew Nicholson spear-heads a small but quality Kiwi field to Les Etoiles de Pau, a top ranking international three day event in France this weekend.
While it is the final leg in the HSBC FEI Classics – the grand slam of eventing – it is also the first event of 2012 season, and run in the most picturesque surroundings at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains.
Mark Todd is sitting in fourth spot on the classics, but isn't competing at Pau. However, Nicholson is well placed to move up the board from his sixth spot, with Caroline Powell in seventh and Jonathan Paget 15th.
The series winner pockets $US150,000, with prize money running through to $US25,000 for fifth spot.
Nicholson will compete on three horses in the four star event – Armada, Mr Cruise Control and Henry Tankerville – with Powell aboard Boston Two Tip and Lucy Jackson set to start Kilcoltrim Ambassador and Animator. The four star event has attracted 75 starters, including some of the best in the world.
Sure to be hot favourites are Brits Mary King and William Fox-Pitt, who are at one and two in the classics series.
Nicholson will also compete in the two star on Viscount George, with Powell on The Earl of Belvedere and Jonelle Richards, fresh from her victory at Lignieres-en-Berry, on Short Black. The two star has attracted 43 entries.
The Kiwis have tasted success at Pau before, with both Todd and Nicholson having won the two star in the past, but the Germans have completely dominated the four star in recent years.
Pau started in 1991 as a one star event and is now in its fifth year as a four star. It was the first event in France to gain such ranking, putting it on par with the Olympics and World Championships.
The four star dressage phase is set to go Thursday and Friday (French time), followed by the cross country on Saturday and the showjumping on Sunday. The 2011 event has attracted riders from 17 nations.
HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 leaderboard: 1 Mary King (GBR) 38 points 1, William Fox-Pitt (GBR) 25 2, Piggy French (GBR) 20 3, Mark Todd (NZL) 15 4, Andreas Dibowski (GER) 15 5, Andrew Nicholson (NZL) 14 6, Caroline Powell (NZL) 13 7, Sandra Auffarth (GER) 12 8, Clayton Fredericks (AUS) 12 9, Sinead Halpin (USA) 10, 10.