New Zealand event rider Andrew Nicholson has picked up a $50,000 (£30,575) bonus for leading the HSBC rankings.
The 6-time Olympian has now held HSBC rankings lead for 19 consecutive months. He also topped the 2013 British Eventing rankings for the 15th time in his career.
In 2013 Andrew won Lexington and Luhmühlen and finished 3rd at Badminton and second at Burghley.
To mark the achievement Andrew was presented with a silver salver at Olympia last night (22 December).
“This is a great honour, and it doesn’t get more special than this,” Andrew said.
“I’m very grateful to HSBC, which has helped raise the profile of top-level eventing massively.”
“Thanks to Nereo, Mr Cruise Control, Avebury, Calico Joe and Quimbo and my team at home, we’ve pulled it off again, and I’m now focusing on the 2014 Eventing season, the World Equestrian Games and of course Rio.”
HSBC has now ended its sponsorship deal with the FEI and will not sponsor the rankings next season. The FEI is currently “evaluating partners and possibilities” for the Classics series which will run next year with backing from the FEI .
