A legend bows out

William Fox-Pitt is retiring from the top level of eventing after a stellar career in the sport

- ELEANOR JONES

IT was the end of an era at Mars Badminton Horse Trials as William Fox-Pitt announced his retirement from the highest level of the sport, bowing out at the top as one of eventing’s all-time greats.

William came so close to a fairy-tale ending to his stellar career after he and Grafennacht gave a crosscountry masterclass, but poles down meant they finished 13th.

“It wasn’t my day, but I’ve had these moments before and it will all be fine tomorrow,” said William. “At least it was properly not my day – there were no ifs and buts and maybes and on to the next one, because I won’t come back.

“That will be it. It’s tricky to say, but I’m 55 and I’ve had a great time. I’m in one piece and lucky to be in one piece.”

William was at the prizegiving to collect a fifth Armada dish, having completed Badminton 26 times.

“I’ve really loved it,” he said. “I’ve been so lucky to have so many supporters, it’s been a great send-off. We enjoyed the moment yesterday. There’s no tears and sobbing – I’m very matter of fact about it; this is the right thing to do.”

William has been representing Britain since he was in juniors, winning individual silver in 1987. He won two team golds, team silver and individual bronze in young rider Europeans. He has been on six European gold medal-winning senior teams, one silver and one bronze, and won two individual silvers and one bronze, not to mention world team gold, two silvers and bronze, and individual silver and bronze.