William Fox-Pitt has become the overnight leader after the cross-country phase of the CCI3* at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, on up and coming star Freddie Mac.
Lucky Escape
William’s ride wasn’t incident free and the long-striding chestnut slithered sideways over the big corner at fence 11 and landed on his knees, but the world number one rider didn’t even shift in the saddle, and picked Freddie Mac up as if nothing had happened. Fox-Pitt and Freddie Mac then continued faultlessly to finish the course with no jumping or time penalties.
“He was very good to stay on his feet,” said William, who had been fifth after dressage on this horse. “I seemed to have no contact and no reins, so I’m very lucky. What an amazing horse to pick up like that. He’s a lovely galloper and a horse that I feel has got a bright future.”
William goes into the final showjumping stage with no margin for error as the cost of one rail covers the top four riders.
Whittington moves up
The Brits continued to lead the way down the order as Francis Whittington added just 1.6 time penalties on Easy Target, to move up from fourth to second. “We started conservatively and we got a bit close to a couple of fences which is where we lost the odd second, but I’m really pleased with the horse,” said Francis.
Francis also added to his chances of placing by being the only rider to get two horses round clear and inside the time with the fifth-placed Fernhill Highlight.
Best of the rest
New Zealander, Tim Price, was a relieved to come home clear on both his rides after his fall at Burghely and retirement at the World Equestrian Games, earlier on in the month. A sterling round on Ringwood Sky Boy, put him into third going into the final phase.
“I’m rapt with him,” said Tim. “That was definitely redemption. It’s nice to come to a beautiful competition like this and be right up at the sharp end. There’s no denying that the WEG was devastating but you have to learn to take the knocks.”
Jodie Amos completes the top four placing’s on the half Arab gelding Wise Crack after a superb cross-country round, one of eight within the optimum time of 10 minutes 35 seconds.
“He’s not your classically straightforward event horse,” explained Jodie, who is based at Aston-le-Walls with Nigel Taylor. “He was very flighty and for the first 18 months I had him he would just bolt with me, so he’s a bit of a late starter. But he has so much talent and, as he’s relatively young (10), he’s got lots to come. He was brilliant today.
Italian rider Vittoria Panizzon (Merlots Magic), Kitty King (Persimmon), Pippa Funnell (Second Supreme), American Phillip Dutton (Fernhill Cubalawn) and Kiwi Jock Paget (Shady Grey) complete an international top 10.