British rider
Oliver Townend crashed out of contention in spectacular fashion after looking a sure thing at the Pau four-star horse trials in France, but as a consolation took away the HSBC FEI Classics title.
Germany's Dirk Schrade jumped a beautiful clear round on King Artus to score the first 4* win of his career in the most sensational style after Townend, the overnight cross-country leader suffered the kind of misfortune which is the stuff of riders' nightmares. Townend had already secured the HSBC FEI Classics in emphatic style and had a jumping fence in hand to win Pau, but his mount, the 14-year-old Carousel Quest, who had given his all across country the day before, hit 7 fences and incurred time faults, collecting a cricket score of 31 which dropped him to 8th place.
"I've had an amazing season," Townend said. "Obviously this is a bit of a disappointment, but it doesn't take away from the horse's achievements this year, and to win the HSBC FEI Classics means a lot to me."
The jumping course seemed fairly straightforward, with only two related distances, but there were only four clear rounds. Two of those came from Germany, back at the head of affairs after a disastrous European Championship, and Andreas Dibowski made it a German one-two when going clear also, on Euroridings Butts Leon.
The home side had plenty to cheer about when Pascal Leroy and the exciting prospect Minos de Petra finished 3rd and Lucy Wiegersma (GB) was best of the British contingent in 4th on the equally promising youngster Granntevka Prince.
The achievements of the two German riders propelled them up the order of the HSBC FEI Classics, with Shrade taking 2nd place and Dibowski 3rd. William Fox-Pitt (GB), last year's winner, slipped to 4th place with 17th place at Pau on Macchiato. Sam Griffiths (Aust), who was not competing at Pau, moved down to 5th place.
France's Gwendolen Fer, 23, the only rider to achieve the optimum Cross-Country time of 10min 37sec, finished 7th and won the HSBC Training Bursary for the highest-placed 4* debutant. Fer, who represented France as a Junior, is based near Toulouse and is taking a correspondence university course in business studies at Grenoble. She is trained by Bruno Bouvier. Her mother bought her Leria du Ter from Koris Vieules four years ago.
"My mare loves cross-country and is really fast," said Fer, "and I have really enjoyed my weekend as well."
 Germany's Dirk Schrade and King Artus on the cross-country. © Kit Houghton/FEI |
The four other bursary winners this year, who will have training with FEI accredited trainers, are Jolie Sexson (USA), Elisabeth Power (IRL), Michael Jung (GER) and Kai Ruder (GER).
Dirk Schrade, who takes home €32,000 for the win, said afterwards he had hoped to do well at Pau, "but to win is beyond my dreams. I was a little disappointed with my dressage, because King Arthus is a good mover, and the cross-country was difficult for him because it was twisty and he is a big-striding horse, but he jumped so well today and I am very pleased with him. It's the biggest win of my career and I hope now that I will get on to the German team for next year."
New Zealand's Joe Meyer and Clifton Lush dropped four rails but still managed 12th place on 80.8 penalties, just ahead of Andrew Nicholson and Armada, who dropped two rails to end in 13th on 82.6.
Tim Price's Vortex also dropped two tails to finish on 91.7 and in 20th place.
The trio helped the Kiwi team to sixth place.
The two-star class was won by Dutch combination Madelein Brugman and Katmandu 7, with Oliver Townend second on Neo du Breuil. France's Pauline Mercadier and Koka du Forez placed third, with Tim Price and Billy Malone in fourth.
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