Date of Birth
January 1969
Born
Kent
Lives
Dorset
Background
With a background steeped in horses, William Fox-Pitt’s choice of career was almost inevitable. His mother was a member of the British three day event team and his father also completed Badminton and Burghley. Both sisters have represented Britain at junior and young rider level. Sir Michael Turner’s Chaka gave William his first taste of senior success following a 7th placing at Badminton and subsequent selection for the 1993 European Championships.
A previous winner of the HSBC FEI Classics in 2008 and 2010, William topped off another successful season in 2011 when he finished a close second in the HSBC FEI Rankings List, behind fellow team-mate Mary King. He is the only rider to have won five of the six CCI4* three day events worldwide, has been British Number One ten times and was the first British rider to become eventings World Number One – a distinction he achieved in 2002 and again in 2009 and 2010.
William is married to Channel 4 racing presenter Alice Plunkett and the couple have two young children together, Oliver and Thomas, and are expecting their third child later this year.
Due to the unfortunate cancellation of Badminton Horse Trials in 2012, William will now aim for the Rolex Grand Slam at Badminton in 2013, after winning both Burghley (2011) and Lexington (2012).
Championship history
2012 Olympic Games: Team Silver (Lionheart)
2011 European Championships: Team Bronze & 7th (Cool Mountain)
2010 World Equestrian Games: Team Gold & Individual Silver (Cool Mountain)
2009 European Championships: 4th (Idalgo)
2008 Olympic Games: 12th (Parkmore Ed)
2006 World Equestrian Games: Team Silver & 15th (Tamarillo)
2004 Olympic Games: Team Silver (Tamarillo)
2003 European Championships: Team Gold & 8th (Moon Man)
2002 World Equestrian Games: Team Bronze (Tamarillo)
2001 European Championships: Team Gold & 5th (Stunning)
1997 European ‘Open’ Championships: Team Gold & Individual Silver (Cosmopolitan II)
1996 Olympic Games: 5th (Cosmopolitan II)
1995 European Championships: Team Gold & 6th (Cosmopolitan II)
1990 Young Rider European Championships: Team Gold & 4th (Steadfast)
1989 Young Rider European Championships: Team Silver & Individual Bronze (Steadfast)
1988 Young Rider European Championships: Team Gold & 4th (Steadfast)
1987 Junior European Championships: Individual Silver (Steadfast)
William’s official website can be found at www.foxpitteventing.co.uk
For more information about William, please visit the British Eventing website