The 2008 Final of the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing will take place in Deauville, France, September 18-21, introducing FEI’s global partner for eventing, HSBC, as the series’ new title sponsor. The HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing Final will be the main attraction of the prestigious R.I.D.E. (Les Rencontres Internationales des Disciplines Equestres) event organized by A.S.O. (Amaury Sport Organisation), renowned for managing major large-scale sporting events.

The 40 best riders from the 17 qualifiers will gather for the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing Final at the magnificent Deauville-Clairefontaine racecourse for one of the most exciting events on the equestrian calendar.

Alex McLin, FEI Secretary General, commented “The 2008 HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing Final will be a showcase of the best the sport has to offer. The unprecedented partnership with HSBC is taking eventing to a new level globally and is opening it up to a wider audience. I am certain that with an organizer of A.S.O’s professionalism and with Deauville-Clairefontaine as the spectacular venue, we will be rewarded with an exceptional event.”

Giles Morgan, HSBC’s Group Head of Sponsorship, said, “HSBC is delighted to become a partner of the FEI and a major sponsor of eventing. We look forward to an exciting partnership—particularly the development of the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing.”

A.S.O. Chairman Patrice Clerc declared, “We are extremely proud to organize the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing Final. This is a great honour and a fantastic opportunity to prove that Normandy is on the way. This year again, the R.I.D.E. will be a top level sports meeting!”

The FEI World Cup™ Eventing is the sport’s first linked series currently consisting of 17 qualifiers culminating in a yearly final. It is organized at the highest level of eventing and in the same format as championships and the Olympic Games. The series is designed to encourage the participation of the world’s best riders and horses and thus promote such emblematic values of eventing, as the constant quest for harmony between physical skills and mental balance, contact with nature, precision, stamina, agility and insightful training. The FEI World Cup™ Eventing is a showcase of a sport resolutely turning to the future.