Rider Biographies

William Fox-Pitt

Country: Great Britain

Age: 42

Two-time winner of the HSBC Classics series – the valuable accumulator series that ties Europe’s premier four-star events together – William is recognised as one of the most successful riders in modern eventing. He has topped the world rankings three times and has won seven team gold and two individual silver medals at European Championships, as well as Olympic team silver 2004 and bronze 2008. He is one of three riders to win Burghley five times – and in 2008 he achieved a one-two with Tamarillo and Balincoola.

William grew up in Kent with his two sisters Laurella and Alicia, both of whom were successful young riders. Both his parents, Marietta and Oliver, competed at Badminton and his mother is still an enthusiastic and respected trainer.

William gained a languages degree from the University of London and is now married to Channel 4 racing presenter Alice Plunkett. The couple have two young sons, Oliver and Thomas, and are based in Dorset.

Notable achievements

• 2011 – Hopetoun International CIC*** 4th Lionheart, 6th Cool Mountain
• 2011 – Tattersalls CCI*** 1st Oslo
• 2011 – Chatsworth CIC*** 5th Lionheart
• 2010 – Bramham CCI*** 5th Neuf Des Couers
• 2010 – Lexington CCI**** 1st Cool Mountain
• 2009 – Fontainebeau CCI*** European Championships 4th, team gold Idalgo
• 2009 – Le Lion D’Angers CCI** 2nd Oslo
• 2009 – Lexington CCI**** 6th Seacookie
• 2009 – Blair Castle CCI*** 1st Cool Mountain
• 2009 – Burghley CCI**** 7th Seacookie
• 2009 – Badminton CCI**** 2nd Idalgo, 5th Macchiato
• 2008 – Le Lion D’Angers CCI* 1st Oslo
• 2008 – Hong Kong Olympics 12th, team bronze Parkmore Ed
• 2008 – Bramham CCI*** 1st Navigator
• 2008 – Luhmuhlen CCI**** 1st Macchiato
• 2008 – Badminton 3rd Ballincoola, 18th Tamarillo
• 2005 – Blenheim Europeans team gold, individual silver Tamarillo
• 2005 – Badminton CCI**** 2nd Tamarillo
• 2004 - Athens Olympics team silver Tamarillo
• 2004 – Badminton CCI**** 1st Tamarillo
• 2002 - Burghley CCI**** 1st Highland Lad
• 2002 – Jerez WEG team bronze Tamarillo
• 2002 – Badminton CCI**** 2nd Tamarillo
• 1997 – Burghley Open Europeans team Gold and individual silver Cosmopolitan
• 1997 – Badminton CCI**** 3rd Cosmopolitan
• 1995 – Gatcombe British Open 1st Chaka
• 1994 - Burghley CCI**** 1st Chaka