Fox-Pitt lauds Britain's 'incredible' victory

Eventing star William Fox-Pitt reflected on "an incredible week" after guiding Great Britain to their first team world title since 1994.

The 41-year-old Olympian also added individual silver for good measure in Kentucky to continue Britain's outstanding run of success at the World Equestrian Games.

Fox-Pitt has now won 14 Olympic, world and European medals at team and individual level, and there could be even more success to come.

Fox-Pitt, runner-up at Burghley last month and winner of the Blenheim International, currently leads the HSBC Classics series, which offers a 92,000 first prize for the year's most successful four-star rider.

After winning Kentucky's four-star competition earlier this year and finishing second at Burghley, Fox-Pitt is the current overall leader heading towards next month's finale in Pau, south-west France.

Fox-Pitt could afford to have three fences down on Cool Mountain in the showjumping phase and still secure team gold at Kentucky Horse Park, such was Britain's dominance.

But he joined his colleagues Mary King (Imperial Cavalier) and Nicola Wilson (Opposition Buzz) in going clear, meaning Tina Cook's eight faults aboard Miners Frolic could be discarded and Britain had their first world crown since 1994.

The individual glory went to Germany's Michael Jung but five British riders secured top-20 finishes, with Fox-Pitt second, Pippa Funnell (Redesigned) fifth, King sixth, Piggy French (Jakata) 16th and Wilson 20th.

"It's been an incredible week," said Fox-Pitt, who is based at Sturminster Newton in Dorset.

"I certainly didn't come here expecting to win two medals. The team was always the priority and we knew there would be some strong nations, particularly Germany.

"When I went in, I knew I had breathing space for the team medal, but I just didn't want to let everyone down. Coming here in the spring really gave me a boost as I knew he (Cool Mountain) could cope with jumping on the surface.

"He gave me a good feeling, and I am relieved it's now over."

Britain's showjumping quartet - Michael Whitaker, Robert Smith, Scott Brash and David McPherson - now begin their world medal quest during a week of team and individual challenges.

And they have some tough acts to follow, given the eventers' success and three dressage silver medals for Laura Bechtolsheimer, which included second place in the team event alongside Carl Hester, Fiona Bigwood and Maria Eilberg.