Townend wraps up Classic series

Britain's Oliver Townend secured the HSBC FEI Classic series title on day two of Les Etoiles de Pau on Saturday.

Townend, who won this year's Badminton and Burghley, took the lead in France with a perfect cross-country round.

Defending champion William Fox-Pitt, Townend's only rival for the series, lost too much ground in the standings.

But Townend, 26, and his grey Carousel Quest could not add the Pau title to his collection after falling to eighth place in Sunday's showjumping phase.

The Shropshire-based Yorkshireman, who receives £92,000 for winning the series, went into the final day of the five-event series with a clear lead on Sunday.

However, a disappointing final day did not detract from a memorable season.

"I always thought I could win, but maybe not so quickly," said Townend, of his HSBC triumph.

"I've had a fantastic year. My horses have done me proud, and they will now have a winter's break before returning next spring."

Fox-Pitt, who slipped out of contention after his horse Macchiato ran out at the 25th fence on Saturday, finished fourth on the overall HSBC list behind Germany's Dirk Schrade and Andreas Dibowski, who came first and second in Pau.

Townend will now head to Lexington in the United States next April in pursuit of the Grand Slam, a £213,000 jackpot for winners of consecutive Badminton, Burghley and Lexington events.

The feat is so difficult only one previous rider - Britain's Pippa Funnell - has achieved it.

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