FEI Classics™: French joy as Astier Nicolas wins first CCI4

Astier Nicolas (FRA) had an excited French crowd on the edges of their seats as he scored his first ever CCI4* win in fantastic style at Les 4 Etoiles de Pau (FRA), opening leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016.

With the hopes of his home country resting on his shoulders and Pau’s Jumping course proving as influential as ever, Nicolas, who was third after Cross Country, rode a skillful clear round on Piaf de B’neville in the Jumping arena.

This put serious pressure on 19-year-old Emily King (GBR) and Olympic, world and European number one Michael Jung (GER), who was down to one horse after withdrawing the overnight leader Halunke FBW at the final Horse Inspection, and, to Nicolas’s evident disbelief, they each had a fence down.

King dropped from second to fourth on Brookleigh, but it was a brave effort at her first CCI4*, and Jung, who has made very few mistakes this year, slipped from first to second on fischerRocana, losing the win by just 0.9 penalty, after the mare hit the third fence.

Tim Price (NZL) and the Dutch-bred Wesko, a reliable horse in the final phase, having started his career in a Jumping yard, rose from fourth to third with an immaculate clear round.

Astier Nicolas is the first French rider to win the CCI4* at Pau since Nicolas Touzaint in 2007 and, to make it even more special, the city of Pau is his home, although he is a familiar face on the British circuit, having been based there for a while.

“I wasn’t at all nervous because I had two riders in front of me and didn’t think I would win,” said Nicolas. “It’s very special to win my first CCI4* in France.”

The French crowd had even more to cheer about when two of the seven clear rounds came from Karim Florent Laghouag (FRA), who rose from eighth to fifth place on the lovely black stallion Entebbe de Hus and from 14th to seventh on Punch de l’Esques.

The young German rider Claas Hermann Romeike, watched anxiously by his Olympic gold medalist father, Hinrich, also kept a cool head, jumping clear on Cato 60 to rise seven places to sixth at only his second CCI4*.

Tim Lips (NED) slipped five places to 11th when Bayro incurred 12 Jumping faults and Andreas Dibowski (GER) was lucky to only drop two places to 12th when FRH Butts Avedon had four fences down. Paul Tapner (AUS) also departed from the top 10, falling from seventh to 17 with an unfortunate six rails down on Indian Mill.

As well as the sad departure of Halunke FBW from the Horse Inspection, Bill Levett (AUS) also withdrew Shannondale Titan, 10th after Cross country. Thirty-three horses completed the competition.

The FEI Classics™ 2015/2016 season has started in style with a thrilling contest. Next, the action moves to the southern hemisphere for the Adelaide International 3 Day Event (AUS) on 19-22 November.

About the Les 4 Etoiles de Pau winner

Astier Nicolas (FRA), 26, is the youngest CCI4* winner this year. He represented France at Pony, Junior and Young Rider level and won an individual silver medal in the Young Rider Europeans at Waregem (BEL) in 2009. His previous best CCI4* result was sixth at Pau in 2012 on Jhakti du Janlie.

Riding Piaf de B’neville, he won the u25 CCI3* at Bramham (GBR) in 2012 and was a member of France’s senior bronze medal team at the 2013 FEI European Eventing Championship in Malmö (SWE).

The combination finished runner up at Saumur CCI3* this year. He was also recently second in the young horse CIC3* at Blenheim and ninth at Boekelo CCI3* (NED) on Spes Addit’Or.

Nicolas is from Pau in France but has been based for some years in Gloucestershire in Great Britain, where he came to study for a degree in equine management at the West of England University at Hartpury College.

Piaf de B’neville is a 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Cap de B’neville.

Astier Nicolas (FRA), riding Piaf de B’neville thrills the French crowd with his first CCI4* win on home ground at Les 4 Etoiles de Pau, first leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016 season. (Trevor Holt/FEI)

Final results

1 Astier Nicolas/Piaf de B’neville (FRA) 38.5 + 0 + 0 = 38.5
2 Michael Jung/fischerRocana FST (GER) 35.4 + 0 + 4 = 39.4
3 Tim Price/Wesko (NZL) 40.0 + 0 + 0 = 40.0
4 Emily King/Brookleigh (GBR) 38.3 + 0 + 4 = 42.3
5 Karim Florent Laghouag/Entebbe de Hus (FRA) 40.6 + 2 + 0 = 42.6
6 Claas Hermann Romeike/Cato 60 (GER) 44.1 + 3.2 + 0 = 47.3
7 Karim Florent Laghouag/Punch de l’Esques (FRA) 49.3 + 0 + 0 = 49.3
8 Sarah Bullimore/Valentino V (GBR) 45.8 + 0 + 4 = 49.8
9 Clare Abbot/Euro Prince (IRL) 49.1 + 1.6 + 0 = 50.7
10 Sir Mark Todd/NZB Campino (NZL) 43.3 + 0 + 8 = 51.3

FEI Classics™ 2015/2016 Leaderboard (after 1 of 6 events)

1 Astier Nicolas (FRA) 15 points
2 Michael Jung (GER) 12
3 Tim Price (NZL) 10
4 Emily King (GBR) 8
5 Karim Florent Laghouag (FRA) 6
6 Claas Hermann Romeike (GER) 5
7 Sarah Bullimore (GBR) 3
8 Clare Abbot (IRL) 2
9 Sir Mark Todd (NZL) 1

Kate Green

FEI Classics™: Michael Jung Makes History At Burghley And Ingrid Klimke Wins Series

A huge crowd rose to their feet in appreciation as Michael Jung (GER) and his wonderful horse La Biosthetique Sam jumped the perfect clear round to win the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

Jung, who will be defending his European title next weekend, is the first German rider to win a British CCI4*, and he received a great reception from the crowd, who recognised a phenomenal horseman in action and had been surrounding him all weekend asking for ‘selfies’ and autographs.

“To come to Burghley is amazing, to ride the Cross Country was wonderful and to win here at an event which is such a great tradition in the sport is just fantastic. This will be one of the highlights of my life,” said Jung. “I really enjoyed it here and hope I will have horses for it next year.”

This is the 21st international event he has won with the 16-year-old Sam, which he describes as “being like a good friend – every time he gives me 100%.”

One of the all-time greats: Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam, winners of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. Jung also finished second in the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 behind his compatriot Ingrid Klimke. (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

Jung also finished second in the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 behind his compatriot Ingrid Klimke, who was at Burghley to receive her cheque for $US 40,000 in the main arena.

Jung was under huge pressure coming into the arena as Tim Price (NZL) had conjured a beautiful clear round from the improving Ringwood Sky Boy to finish runner-up behind the German for the second time this year, following Kentucky (USA) in April.

“Sky Boy has been improving and I hoped that would show itself on the flat,” explained Tim. “He has always been a good Cross Country horse but to be still here today, in second place, is wonderful. He is not a natural showjumper but he is learning to try hard at the right moment.”

The talented Christopher Burton (AUS), who has never previously completed Burghley, had a perfect day with two clear rounds to finish third and fourth on TS Jamaimo and Haruzac.

“I haven’t had a very good run here before – I came here as a young rider from Australia in 2004 and fell off at the third fence, so just to see the finish flags was a pretty good feeling,” he said.

Jonelle Price (NZL) slipped from third to fifth when Classic Moet hit the first part of the treble, but clear rounds elevated Sir Mark Todd to sixth on Leonidas ll, Cedric Lyard (FRA) to seventh on Cadeau du Roi, Kristina Cook (Star Witness) to eighth and best British rider, and Sam Griffiths (AUS) and Paulank Brockagh to ninth.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) had a fence down on Fernhill Pimms but still rose three places to 10th. However, for the first time since the inception of the FEI Classics™ in 2008 he missed out on a cash prize. The Badminton winner finished on the same score, 24 points, as Tim Price, but the New Zealander took precedent in fourth place on the final leaderboard as, according to the rules, he had gained his points at fewer competitions.

Ingrid Klimke (GER) is the first German rider to win the FEI Classics™ since the series began in 2008. She won Pau in 2014 (Horseware Hale Bob) and Luhmühlen (GER) this year on FRH Escada JS, and finished second (on Horseware Hale Bob) at Badminton. (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

How the FEI Classics™ was won

Ingrid Klimke (GER) is the first German rider to win the FEI Classics™ since the series began in 2008. She won Pau in 2014 (Horseware Hale Bob) and Luhmühlen (GER) this year on FRH Escada JS, and finished second (on Horseware Hale Bob) at Badminton.

Michael Jung (GER), second, won Kentucky on FischerRocana FST, and was third at Luhmühlen and first at Burghley on La Biosthetique Sam. Jonelle Price was fourth at Pau and second at Luhmühlen (Faerie Dianimo) and fifth at Burghley (Classic Moet). Her husband Tim was second at Kentucky (Wesko) and second at Burghley (Ringwood Sky Boy).

“I didn’t plan this or expect to win it,” said a delighted Klimke after receiving her cheque. “Now it seems that Germans are able to win CCI4*s! Chris Bartle [our trainer] makes us go all over the world and that gives us confidence. It’s great to win extra money like this, which will go straight back into my horses and therefore into the sport.”

Kate Green

FEI Classics™: Jung Bounces Back To Lead With Sam At Burghley #FEIClassics #Eventing

Michael Jung (GER) showed the mark of a true champion when bouncing back from a dramatic early mishap to take the Cross Country lead on his second horse, La Biosthetique Sam, at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

Jung only got as far as fence 4 on his joint Dressage leader, FischerRocana FST, where, to gasps from the crowd, the mare tripped and fell in the water. But he was masterful aboard his Olympic, world and European champion Sam, finishing just two seconds over time to rise seven places to first.

“My first Cross Country ride at Burghley was pretty quick – about 40 seconds,” joked the world number one. “I got back to the stables and my brother said: ‘Never mind, you’ve already gone up a place on Sam!’

“I know the horse very well now, we’ve had many experiences together, and he was really fighting for me and jumping well. This event is such a great tradition, so it’s wonderful to be here.”

The race is on: William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Fernhill Pimms draw level with Michael Jung (GER) and FischerRocana FST after Dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

William Fox-Pitt (GBR), the joint Dressage leader on Fernhill Pimms, suffered a rare lapse of concentration. He had the misfortune to be held on course before fence 23, a big spread on a downhill slope, while it was being repaired. Then, when taking the long route at the next obstacle, the Discovery Valley complex, he galloped past the second element and had to retrace his steps.

“It’s been good and bad,” said Fox-Pitt, who is now 13th with 20.4 time penalties. “The horse was fantastic, but I’m sad to have let him down and had a mental blank.”

New Zealander Tim Price had by far his best Burghley in five attempts and is now in second place on Ringwood Sky Boy, just 1.5 penalties behind Jung. However, his day was not without drama either, as a wasp got inside his vest halfway round the course and stung him.

“I had this strange scratchy feeling, which I was trying to adjust,” said Price, laughing. “When I got back to the finish, I lifted my shirt up and out flew a wasp. He was pretty angry, too!”

Price had one of the fastest rounds of the day for 2.8 penalties but there was an unnerving scramble over a fence in the water at the Trout Hatchery. “Sky Boy is not the most conventional jumper and he’s got a long stride for the technical elements. This was one of those courses where you have to change your plan and make decisions on the spot,” explained the rider.

It was a good day for family Price as Tim’s wife, Jonelle, is in third place, only 3.4 penalties behind him. Jonelle had a brilliant round on Classic Moet and was one of only two riders to finish inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 12 seconds. “My mare was pretty faultless from start to finish,” she said.

Australian Christopher Burton was the first to achieve the time, on second ride TS Jamaimo, and he has risen 17 places to fourth; he is also in fifth place on Haruzac, previously 11th after Dressage.

Australian and New Zealand riders are to the fore, with Bill Levett (AUS) up 13 places to sixth on Improvise and Sir Mark Todd (NZL) moving up five places to seventh on Leonidas ll, despite a scary moment when the horse dived at the corner fence at 15.

“I had a couple of hairy moments because the horse was drifting left, which made the fences seem even bigger,” said the five-time Burghley winner who revealed that the German-bred gelding has missed work with an infection. “But he was so brave and I’m thrilled with him as it’s the biggest track he’s jumped, a good old-fashioned four-star course.”

Frenchman Cedric Lyard is ninth after a good performance on Cadeau du Roi and Oliver Townend (GBR) is best of the British in ninth place, having been a brilliant trailblazer with his confident opening round on CCI4* first timer Dromgurrihy Blue.

Townend was also last on course with the experienced Armada, and had the competition at his mercy, but an uncharacteristic mistake, a run-out in the Trout Hatchery, left the rider slapping his head in frustration and dropped him from fifth after Dressage to 18th.

Kristina Cook is next best Briton, in 10th on Star Witness, having survived a near unseating at the Trout Hatchery when she was hanging right out of the saddle. “I’m really proud. It’s always great to have a ride like this with a horse you’ve produced from nothing,” she said. “He was so honest and he helped me out.”

Riders had been instructed at the competitor briefing to bear in mind the climb uphill to the huge Cottesmore Leap (fence 13) which came earlier than usual due to Course Designer Mark Phillips (GBR) reversing the direction of his track.

Pippa Funnell (GBR), 12th on the scopey Redesigned, admitted she was kicking herself after being too conservative early on. “If I have a frustration, it’s that I lost time in the first three minutes,” she said. “But this is some horse to sit on at big fences like the Cottesmore Leap and my ride was everything I hoped for. It’s why I come here!”

Master at work: Michael Jung (GER) and La Biosthetique Sam lead after Cross Country at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

Seven of the top 10 riders after Dressage dropped from the reckoning. Sam Griffiths (AUS), third on Happy Times, and Rosalind Canter (GBR), 10th on Allstar B, had run-outs at the Discovery Valley; Andrew Hoy (AUS), fourth, was unseated when Rutherglen glanced off the corner at Capability’s Cutting, and Niklas Bschorer (GER) had a refusal with Tom Tom Go 3 at the right-handed bounce out of the Anniversary Splash and retired.

Overall, however, it was a highly successful day, with 42 clears from the 68 Cross Country starters and 55 completions. “This is a good ratio for a course of this size,” commented Mark Phillips. “I’m a relieved and happy man tonight!”

Tomorrow’s Jumping finale promises to be a thriller. Can Michael Jung and Sam add Burghley to their long list of accolades? Find out by following the action on http://www.burghley-horse.co.uk and http://www.burghley.tv and, in Britain, on BBC Red Button.

Results after Cross country

1 Michael Jung/La Biosthetique Sam (GER) 39.2 + 0.8 = 40.0

2 Tim Price/Ringwood Sky Boy (NZL) 38.7 + 2.8 = 41.5

3 Jonelle Price/Classic Moet (NZL) 44.9 + 0 = 44.9

4 Christopher Burton/TS Jamaimo (AUS) 45.0 + 0 = 45.0

5 Christopher Burton/Haruzac (AUS) 41.2 + 6.4 = 47.6

6 Bill Levett/Improvise (AUS) 44.9 + 4.8 = 49.7

7 Sir Mark Todd/Leonidas ll (NZL) 41.7 + 8.8 = 50.5

8 Cedric Lyard/Cadeau du Roi (FRA) 39.6 + 11.2 = 50.8

9 Oliver Townend/Dromgurrihy Blue (GBR) 45.8 + 5.6 = 51.4

10 Kristina Cook/Star Witness (GBR) 47.4 + 5.2 = 52.6

FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 Leaderboard (after 5 out of 6 events)

1 Ingrid Klimke (GER) 42 points

2 Michael Jung (GER) 25

3 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) 23

4 Jonelle Price (NZL) 20

5 Jessica Manson (AUS) 15

6 Mark Todd (NZL) 14

7 Tim Price (NZL) 12

8 Andreas Dibowski (GER) 12

9 Megan Jones (AUS) 12

10 Jock Paget (NZL) 10

Kate Green

FEI Classics™: Michael Jung Conquers Kentucky #FEIClassics

The phenomenal Michael Jung (GER) can now add victory at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), third leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015, to his ever growing list of major accolades. Riding the courageous little mare FisherRocana FST, he was the only rider to finish on his Dressage score.

The competition went right to the wire in front of a packed crowd enjoying some welcome sunshine in the Kentucky Horse Park. Although Jung hit two fences on La Biosthetique Sam FBW, his Cross Country runner-up, his earlier clear round on Rocana, third at that stage, left overnight leader Tim Price (NZL) on Wesko no leeway for error.

Wesko, a horse Price found in a Jumping yard, looked superb, but the Dutch-bred gelding just caught the upright at fence 10 and so Price had to settle for second place behind Jung and Rocana in a reversal of their placings at Luhmühlen (GER) last year.

Olympic, World and European champion Michael Jung riding La Biosthetique Sam for Team Germany, winners of the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2012 and 2014. The combination is pictured here at Strzegom (POL) in 2014. (Leszek Wójcik/FEI)

Jung also finished third on Sam, ahead of last year’s winners William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Bay My Hero, fourth, who jumped clear to rousing applause.

Phillip Dutton (USA) had to withdraw Mighty Nice, seventh after Cross Country, but a clear on Fernhill Cubalawn elevated him four places to fifth. Dutton was also ninth on Fernhill Fugitive.

His former pupil Boyd Martin (USA) was seventh on Master Frisky, having dropped a place with eight faults, and Britain’s Nicola Wilson on the Irish-bred mare Annie Clover moved up three places to eighth with a penalty-free round.

The sole Australian in the field, Bill Levett, slipped five places to 10th on Improvise with an unfortunate 12 faults. There were nine clear rounds from the 40 finishers.

Jung received a great reception from the American audience who clearly realised they had seen a great horseman at work. “I have nice memories of Kentucky from 2010 [when he won the world title]. The people are very friendly and I’m happy that there are so many spectators. Thank you for everything!”

Michael Jung (GER) and FisherRocana FST finish on their Dressage score to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), third leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Anthony Trollope/FEI)

About the winner
Michael Jung (GER), 32, was the first rider in history to hold Olympic, World and European titles simultaneously and the first to win four championship titles consecutively. He first came to prominence in 2009, when he won the Luhmühlen CCI4*, the FEI World Cup™ Eventing final in Strzegom (POL) and an individual European bronze medal in Fontainebleau (FRA), all on La Biosthetique Sam FBW. The pair went on to win the world title in Kentucky (USA) in 2010, double European gold in Luhmühlen in 2011 and double Olympic gold in London (GBR) in 2012 and, in 2013, they were second at Badminton CCI4*. Jung won a second European title, at Malmö (SWE) in 2013 on Halunke, and last year finished second at Luhmühlen and won world team gold and individual silver medals on FisherRocana FST, a 10-year-old mare by Ituango XX owned by Jung’s parents, Joachim and Bridgitte. He lives at Horb, Germany, where his family owns a riding establishment.

Final results

1 Michael Jung/FisherRocana FST (GER) 39.3 + 0 + 0 = 39.3
2 Tim Price/Wesko (NZL) 36.3 + 0 + 4 = 40.3
3 Michael Jung/La Biosthetique Sam FBW (GER) 36.3 + 0.4 + 8 = 44.7
4 William Fox-Pitt/Bay My Hero (GBR) 38.5 + 8.4 + 0 = 46.9
5 Phillip Dutton/Fernhill Cubalawn (USA) 50.9 + 3.2 + 4 = 54.1
6 Will Coleman/Obos O’Reilly (USA) 52.6 + 0 + 4 = 56.6
7 Boyd Martin/Master Frisky (USA) 47.0 + 1.6 + 8 = 56.6
8 Nicola Wilson/Annie Clover (GBR) 45.6 + 11.2 + 0 = 56.8
9 Phillip Dutton/Fernhill Fugitive (USA) 47.3 + 12 + 0 = 59.3
10 Bill Levett/Improvise (AUS) 48.6 + 0 + 12 = 60.6

FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 Leaderboard (after 3 out of 6 events)

1 Michael Jung (GER) 15 points
2 Ingrid Klimke (GER) 15
3 Jessica Manson (AUS) 15
4 Tim Price (NZL) 12
5 Andreas Dibowski (GER) 12
6 Megan Jones (AUS) 12
7 Arnaud Boiteau (FRA) 10
8 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) 8
9 Jonelle Price (NZL) 8
10 Katja Weinmann (AUS) 8

Kate Green

FEI Classics™: Price Just Holds The Advantage After Cross Country Thriller #FEIClassics

The scene is set for a gripping finale to the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), third leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015, after New Zealander Tim Price just managed to hold off the challenge of his joint Dressage leader Michael Jung (GER) by a mere 0.4 of a penalty after a challenging day of Cross Country.

Price’s round on Wesko was a masterpiece of accuracy and fluency, but he was held on course for about nine minutes while a fence was repaired. Although he had to stand around getting soaked in the pouring rain, the delay ultimately played to his advantage as he finished four seconds inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 6 seconds with a fresh horse that is known to shine in the Jumping stadium.

Jung’s Cross Country riding on his old friend La Biosthetique Sam FBW, the horse that gave him European, World and Olympic titles, was breath-taking for its boldness and commitment. He finished just one second over time, but, so harmonious is this partnership, it’s hard to see where he could have saved it.

The 32-year-old German is also in third place, within a Jumping fence of the leader, on his first horse, FisherRocana FST, having finished free of time penalties when the ground was at its best at the start of the day.

Ali Wolff and Casall produced the only double-clear of the competition to help clinch victory, and a qualifying spot at the Furusiyya 2015 Final, for Team USA at the third leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 series at Coapexpan, Mexico. (FEI/Anwar Esquivel)

“I think the hold was a benefit because with a horse like mine you can just pick up and go. He jumped really well and dug deep when required,” said a delighted Price. “I couldn’t be happier with the horse. After last year in Normandy [at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™] when we didn’t finish the course, it’s nice to come here and get this one under our belt.”

Jung, returning to Kentucky for the first time since winning the world title in 2010, was visibly elated to have the 15-year-old Sam back in action after a layoff in the second half of last season. “I feel so safe on him,” he said.

“He was wonderful and gave me such a good feeling, still galloping very well at the end. The ground was wet but not too deep because the course had been prepared so well.”

With major thunderstorms expected, Cross Country was brought forward and horses run at three-minute intervals in an attempt to beat the weather. It still rained very heavily, though, and four of the six riders to achieve the optimum time went in the earlier part of the day.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) predicted that his 2014 winner Bay My Hero, which is not full Thoroughbred, might struggle with the time if the ground became wet. They had a beautiful round, with Fox-Pitt masterfully finding the best going for his horse, but their 8.4 penalties has dropped them a place to fourth.

A determined Bill Levett (AUS) bucked the trend when he ran near the end of the day on Improvise and, despite a couple of erratic moments early on, managed to finish within the time to rise 14 places to fifth.

Old friends Boyd Martin (USA), on CCI4* first-timer Master Frisky, and Phillip Dutton (USA), riding Mighty Nice, brought the day to a stirring finish with two fantastic rounds and they are now in sixth and seventh places. Dutton is also ninth on Fernhill Cubalawn.

Will Coleman (USA), riding Obos O’Reilly, leapt from 31st to eighth with a clean sheet and earned himself the use of a Land Rover for a year as the American rider finishing nearest the optimum time.

Colleen Rutledge (USA) gave a brilliant display of pathfinding on her experienced horse Shiraz, rising from equal 49th after Dressage to 14th. Later on, she rode an equally proficient round on her home-bred Covert Rights, dropping from fifth to 10th place with 12 time penalties.

There were 46 finishers from the 71 Cross Country starters; they produced 33 clear rounds and some brave displays of riding in the testing conditions.

Tim Price (NZL) and Wesko, who just hold the advantage after a thrilling Cross Country day at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), third leg of FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Anthony Trollope/FEI)

Kentucky first-timer Elisa Wallace, who has risen 10 places to 12th on Simply Priceless, was particularly impressive. “I knew I would have to ride my butt off at my first four-star, but I felt my horse and I were a good team and attacking the course,” she said. “We eventers don’t melt! We have to ride in the rain and suck it up.”

Five of the top 10 after Dressage departed from the scoreboard. Mackenna Shea (USA), sixth, had a fall with Landioso at the double of corners (fence 21) and Laine Ashker (USA), seventh, had a refusal with Anthony Patch at the angled brush at Fence 9b.

Lauren Kieffer (USA), eighth, retired Veronica after a glance-off in the Head of the Lake and Marilyn Little (USA), ninth, retired after an early stop at fence 5 on RF Demeter. Jessica Pheonix (CAN) withdrew LLC Pavarotti.

Will Faudree (USA), who is in 20th place on Andromaque, hit the open corners at fence 21 and became the first CCI4* rider to incur 11 penalties for breaking a frangible pin under the new rule.

Britain’s Francis Whittington (GBR), currently 16th, was lucky to avoid the same fate when Easy Target slid across the corner at the Land Rover Hollow and comprehensively demolished it. Fortunately for his score, it was not a pinned fence; the pair continued quite unscathed and the fence-repair team did an admirable job to rebuild it so quickly.

Course Designer Derek di Grazia should be pleased with his day’s work; his track earned plenty of plaudits, exerted the right influence and produced a great day for the sport, despite the awful weather. Now, though, all thoughts turn to the final Jumping phase and the intriguing question of whether Tim Price can continue to hold off the phenomenal Michael Jung.

Follow all the action live for the Jumping, which starts at 1pm Kentucky time on http://www.feitv.org, with live results on http://www.rk3de.org and see the Cross Country review on FEI YouTube here: https://youtu.be/3ovg_vK2E6E

Results after Cross Country
1 Tim Price/Wesko (NZL) 36.3 + 0 = 36.3
2 Michael Jung/La Biosthetique Sam FBW (GER) 36.3 + 0.4 = 36.7
3 Michael Jung/fisherRocana FST (GER) 39.3 + 0 = 39.3
4 William Fox-Pitt/Bay My Hero (GBR) 38.5 + 8.4 = 46.9
5 Bill Levett/Improvise (AUS) 48.6 + 0 = 48.6
6 Boyd Martin/Master Frisky (USA) 47.0 + 1.6 = 48.6
7 Phillip Dutton/Mighty Nice (USA) 47.2 + 3.2 = 50.4
8 Will Coleman/Obos O’Reilly (USA) 52.6 + 0 = 52.6
9 Phillip Dutton/Fernhill Cubalawn (USA) 50.9 + 3.2 = 54.1
10 Colleen Rutledge/Covert Rights (USA) 42.3 + 12 = 54.3

FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 Leaderboard (after 2 out of 6 events)
1 Ingrid Klimke (GER) 15 points
2 Jessica Manson (AUS) 15
3 Andreas Dibowski (GER) 12
4 Megan Jones (AUS) 12
5 Arnaud Boiteau (FRA) 10
6 Jonelle Price (NZL) 8
7 Katja Weinmann (AUS) 8
8 Joseph Murphy (IRL) 6
9 Erin Sylvester (USA) 5
10 Kathryn Robinson (CAN) 4
11 Lauren Kieffer (USA) 2

FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 calendar
1 Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA) – 23-26 October 2014
2 Adelaide International 3 Day Event (AUS) – 13-16 November 2014
3 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) – 23-26 April 2015
4 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) – 7-10 May 2015
5 Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by DHL (GER) – 18-21 June 2015
6 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) – 3-6 September 2015

Kate Green