William Fox-Pitt creates history with sixth Burghley win
- Published
William Fox-Pitt claims record sixth Burghley title
Great Britain's William Fox-Pitt claimed a record sixth victory at the Burghley Horse Trials on board Parklane Hawk on Sunday.
The 42-year-old came into the competition level on five wins with fellow Briton Ginny Leng and New Zealand's Mark Todd.
He overcame wet conditions in the showjumping to win on 40.7 points from New Zealand's Andrew Nicholson.
"It really feels amazing to have won Burghley six times," said Fox-Pitt.
"For Toddy and Ginny to now be just behind me is very satisfying. They are legends and I've managed to beat them, but Toddy's still going!"
Runner-up Nicholson scored 45.1 points on Nereo, the horse he won the bronze medal on at the 2010 World Championship.
Britain's Mary King was third on her 2011 Rolex Kentucky four-star winner Kings Temptress, external with 47.4 points.
Dorset-based Fox-Pitt, who won individual silver at last October's worlds in Kentucky, external, added: "I can't believe it. He was superb. The conditions went against him. He's still a bit green in show-jumping but he's a phenomenal horse and I'm so lucky to have him to ride.
"I went in thinking 'believe in him', but realistically what was my chance? It was tiny. It's such an enormous relief to have got the record here at Burghley."
World number three Nicholson was unable to follow up his recent victory at Gatcombe, but admitted he had been beaten by an outstanding performance.
"William's horse jumped immaculately and won," he said. "There you go - we tried.
"I love riding here. There's a great crowd of people come and watch, and appreciate what you're doing. They stay till the bitter end. Look at the rain we've had and they stay to the end and enjoy it and I enjoy entertaining them."
Caroline Powell (Lenamore) and Jonathan Paget (Clifton Lush) completed a strong showing from New Zealand by claiming fourth and fifth spots respectively.
Britain's Clea Phillipps was sixth on Lead The Way while Zara Phillips was 10th on High Kingdom and hopes the horse will continue his improvement as she looks to qualify for next year's London Olympics.