This week the world of eventing turns its attention to France. Les Etoiles des Pau CCI4*, the fifth and final competition in the 2011 HSBC FEI Classics series, starts this Thursday and concludes on Sunday.

75 competitors from sixteen countries are entered, including six Australian combinations. Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Sweden and USA will also be represented.

Riders are seeking Olympic qualifications and also chance to impress their national selectors at the elite four-star level ahead of next year’s Games. Olympic ambition drives many of the riders whilst others have another more immediate goal, claiming their stake in eventing’s richest series - the HSBC FEI Classics.

US$150,000 for first place ensures the contest for the HSBC FEI Classics series title will be fierce. William Fox-Pitt (GBR) will challenge for his third title - having won in 2008 and 2010. He currently lies second to compatriot Mary King (GBR) by 13 points. He was runner-up at Pau last year but will have to do one better this time. Fox-Pitt must win and King finish no better than eighth for him to clinch the series.

On the back of a record breaking sixth win at Burghley CCI4* last month, Fox-Pitt will be fronting up on three horses, Macchiato, Oslo and Lionheart. Australian thoroughbred Macchiato is a seasoned four-star mount having completed six four-stars and winning Lumühlen back in 2008. Oslo and Lionheart are both 9-year-olds making their four-star debuts. Fox-Pitt has a good record at Pau, finishing as runner-up at this event in 2010.

This year 50-year-old King’s HSBC series performances have been outstanding; 1st and 2nd at Lexington (USA), 3rd at Badminton (UK) and 8th at Lumühlen (GER). At Pau she will be riding Imperial Cavalier and Apache Sauce. Apache Sauce finished 8th at Luhmühlen CCI4* in July. Imperial Cavalier placed 3rd at Badminton this year and has been in the top four at four CCI4*s in his career including finishing second at this event in 2007.

Australia is well represented.  2008 Olympic silver medallist Clayton Fredericks is placed ninth in the HSBC series and is looking to improve his position. He will ride 12-year-old Bendigo in the gelding’s first CCI4*. This pair won the 2011 Saumur CCI3*.  Federicks will also ride 12-year-old mare Dunge’s Laurenrose. She made an impressive four-star debut this year finishing 5th at Luhmühlen.

Christopher Burton also has two rides. As rider number 1 he will be the trailblazer for the event on 16-year-old veteran thoroughbred Newsprint. Newsprint has an impressive four-star record; from his two attempts he has finished 1st and 2nd - at Adelaide CCI4* in 2008 and 2010. More recently this pair finished 2nd at the Le Pin au Haras World Cup event in France.

Burton’s second ride is his 2010 World Equestrian Games mount Holstein Park Leilani. An unfortunate fall ended their Burghley run in September and Burton will be keen to make amends at Pau. This mare has plenty of experience now and her time is nigh to nail a CCI4*.

Fellow 2010 World Equestrian Games team member Paul Tapner will ride Kilfinnie II. This 13-year-old gelding has now completed four CCI4*s and most recently finished 24th at Badminton in May.

1996 Olympic gold medallist Wendy Schaeffer makes a welcome return to the four-star eventing scene. Schaeffer has been campaigning her World Cup Jumping horse in Europe and is also vying for a spot on the London team in eventing. Koyuna Sun Dancer recently made the trip from Australia to Schaeffer’s European base. The 12-year-old thoroughbred was winner of 2010 Adelaide CCI4* and placed 3rd in 2008.

Last year’s Pau winner Andreas Dibowski (GER) is fifth in the HSBC series but will not be starting at Pau. Representing Germany will be the newly crowned European Champion Michael Jung (GER) who rides Leopin and Weidezaunprof’s River of Joy, Dirk Schrade on Hop and Skip - who placed 6th at Luhmühlen this year,  European Championships bronze medallist Frank Ostholt on his Olympic horse Mr. Medicott and Andreas Ostholt on Franco Jeas who placed 8th at Luhmühlen in 2010.

In form Kiwi Andrew Nicholson will be competing three horses. Nicholson is currently sixth in the HSBC series, only just outside the top five money prizes and could benefit with his three experienced rides: Mr Cruise Control, Henry Tankerville and Armada. 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse Mr. Cruise Control was 9th here last year and was 4th at Lumühlen in 2010. He recently won the Hartbury CIC3*. Armada is fronting up to his 9th four-star. Countryman Mark Todd is fourth on the HSBC point score but does not have a ride for Pau. Seventh placed Caroline Powell (NZL) will ride Boston Two Tip.
Former dual European Champion Nicolas Touzaint (FRA), who has his 2008 Badminton winner Hildago d’Isle back in action will enjoy the home town advantage.

A four-star series decider contested by 75 of the world’s best in the lead up to an Olympic Games - this is one to watch.

Equestrian Australia