Federation Equestre Internationale News FEI Eventing World Cup News

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.

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