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).