The FEI World Cup Vaulting competition started last season and Bordeaux hosted the first final. With five qualifying rounds across Europe, the male and female vaulters selected for this circuit are free to choose the rounds they wish to compete in, given that the best three results count for qualification for the final. Each competition is played out with two rounds for each category (male and female) with, for each, a freestyle performance to music. The horse's behaviour counts for 20% of the final score. The points for the two rounds are added up. In the event of a tie, the score for the second round decides the final result. Title holders for women and men: Joanne Eccles (GBR) and Patric Looser (SUI).

Interview: 3 questions for Nicolas ANDREANI

You were wounded and unable to participate in the final of the 2012 World Cup in Bordeaux: does that give you added motivation for the 2013 World Cup round?
I have never participated in this Bordeaux round. It will be a great first for me. That gives me all the more motivation to come and try to win this round and accumulate a maximum number of points for the final.

The Bordeaux round takes place in a larger space than usual, with 5000 spectators. Does that make it more complicated for the vaulters and their horses?
No, I have the impression we like competing before so many spectators. It enables us to concentrate all the more on our objective and therefore the performance is even more beautiful. Last year, in spite of being wounded, I was present at Bordeaux as a commentator for Equidia and I saw how fascinated the public was by vaulting. That made me want to be in the centre of the ring. I can't wait to perform in the middle of such a great arena before so many spectators.

Is your objective this season to win the 2013 World Cup at Brunswick?
I have never won this competition before. I'm European champion and world champion but I have never won a World Cup final, so of course that's my objective for 2013.