STURMINSTER Newton’s William Fox-Pitt shed tears of joy after landing eventing’s most prestigious prize with a dramatic history-making victory at the Badminton Horse Trials.
Not only did Fox-Pitt end a six-year wait for British success, his ride Chilli Morning became the first stallion to win an elite four-star event anywhere in the world.
It was 46-year-old Fox-Pitt’s 14th four-star crown of his stellar career, but a first Badminton triumph since 2004.
After near misses at the 2013 European Championships and last year’s World Equestrian Games, Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning finally cracked the code in front of a packed arena.
But while Fox-Pitt celebrated an £80,000 jackpot, there was heartbreak for New Zealander Andrew Nicholson, who followed his rival’s show jumping clear round by having three fences down – that dropped him from first to sixth.
“It is a massive relief,” said Fox-Pitt. “I can’t believe it.
“You are so in the lap of the Gods when you are lying second going into the show jumping.
“I was a little lucky, so I am sorry I made everyone very, very tense watching that.
“I won here in 2004 and it has been a long wait, but what a horse. I am so proud of him.
“The fact he is the first stallion to win a four-star makes me feel quite emotional.”
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