THE incredible career of eventing great William Fox-Pitt was celebrated in emotional style in the Main Arena at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials last Sunday afternoon. Honouring his decades of dedication to the sport, the crowd were told of William being the first British rider to become eventing’s World number one, a distinction he achieved in 2002, 2009, 2010 and again in 2014.

William has won an unprecedented 14 CCI5* events, 59 CCI three-day events and is the only rider to win a record six Burghley titles, and on six different horses. William also shored up the British squad for multiple championship titles, including six European Championships team gold medals, six medals at World Championships/World Equestrian Games, and three team medals at the Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012).

William’s contribution to eventing goes beyond just being a rider, he is a true inspiration to so many and this was evident in the tears on the faces of the crowd, who gave him a seemingly endless standing ovation last Sunday.

In October of 2015, William suffered his worst career injury, falling at Le Lion d’Angers in France and spending two weeks in a medically-induced coma. Despite struggling initially with temporary blindness and double vision resulting from his traumatic brain injury, William returned to competition the following April.

“I’ve been so lucky to be able to make a career out of my passion, I just love horses,” Fox Pitt, who announced his retirement at the end of Mars Badminton Horse Trials 2024, said.

“I very clearly remember my first Burghley in 1994, I was so lucky to get Chaka, he was a blinking good horse and I remember thinking, ‘how did that just happen?’

“Burghley has been a massive part of my career, I first rode here before most of this year’s competitors were even born, how scary is that! I suppose now that I have the position of being a senior ex-rider who did pretty well, I very much hope I’ll go on to offer help and advice to up and coming stars.”

Well done and enjoy your retirement, William!