“I THINK shock and amazement is what’s going around the eventing world – I haven’t won an advanced for a very long time,” said William Fox-Pitt after his victory on Amanda Gould’s Grafennacht.
The 14-time five-star winner – who only has one top-level horse these days and was never one to rack up numerous oneday wins even in his heyday – admitted that he “got a rocket” from his wife Alice for going too slow when leading at Thoresby.
“And I thought it would be good to get my eye in here going faster before Badminton,” said William. “Alec Lochore had done a great job with the course and the ground was superb so I had no excuse.”
Grafennacht was bred by Susan Eggleton out of her prolific national winner Nachtigall and produced by Tom Jackson, and joined William at the end of her five-year-old year. Second at Maryland five-star in October, she returns to Badminton after 14th there last year.
Like Ros Canter’s Badminton and European champion Lordships Graffalo, “Lillie” is by Grafenstolz.
“She’s got a big day in her. I keep telling her to look at her brother – they are the same age, 12, and as they were coming along I thought we’d got our work cut out to keep up,” said William. “But she’s a lovely, easy horse and a tough old soul.”
If the mare has a weakness, it’s the fact she “can flick a pole and not worry much about it” and William has been having help from Jay Halim, who has a showjumper to ride for Grafennacht’s owner Amanda.
2024 HOPEFULS ON FORM
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Denne historien er fra April 18, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions
