Equestranism: Fox-Pitt takes fourth victory and sets sights on Olympic challenge
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Your support makes all the difference.William Fox-Pitt secured his fourth victory at the Burghley Horse Trials yesterday, this time with Parkmore Ed, whose American owner, Philip Adkins, has also competed on the 14-year-old Irish-bred gelding. The horse was first sent to Fox-Pitt for Bramham in 2004, then for Blenheim last year before returning in June to prepare for his first four-star contest here.
Parkmore Ed is now likely to stay with Fox-Pitt, with next year's Olympics as a possible target.
"For a great horse like Ed to be in the hands of a great rider like William is very special," Adkins said. He is prepared to put Parkmore Ed in whatever ownership is necessary for the horse to be eligible for the British Olympic team, after watching his victory here.
New Zealand's Andrew Nicholson held the lead on Lord Killinghurst into yesterday's final show jumping phase and, after Parkmore Ed had lowered the final planks (as did all but three of the top 24 horses), Lord Killinghurst had a fence in hand. Having used up that advantage at the 10th fence, he also fell foul of fence 13, thus dropping to fourth place .
Britain's Polly Stockton on Tom Quigley, who did clear the planks but hit an earlier fence, finished one penalty behind the winner, just ahead of Australia's Andrew Hoy on Master Monarch, with Fox-Pitt fifth on his second mount, Ballincoola. Only two horses went clear within the time – Midnight Dazzler (ridden by Harry Meade) and Jam (whose 57-year-old US rider, Bruce Davidson, won the first of two world titles here in 1974).
Zara Phillips, who will defend her European title in Italy this month on Toytown, dropped a place to 24th after 16 penalties with Ardfield Magic Star.
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