William Fox-Pitt

William Fox-Pitt has a career spanning 15 years in eventing, with a string of major titles to his name in domestic and international competitions. The 39-year-old rider secured a bronze medal at his third Olympic Games this summer and was placed twelfth in the individual competition.

William was destined for a career in equestrianism, with his mother a member of the British three-day event team and his father also completing Badminton and Burghley. Both sisters have represented Britain at junior and young rider level. He started eventing at 15, but it was not until graduating from London University in 1993 that he made the sport his career.

In 1996, William was a member of the British team that finished fifth in Atlanta at his first Olympics. He missed out on selection for Sydney, but went on to win team silver at Athens in 2004.

After having to withdraw his best horse before the cross country at Badminton in 2003, he won the famous trophy in 2004 after a superb performance with Tamarillo. It was the only major UK event to have eluded him following previous wins at Burghley, Blenheim, Bramham and Gatcombe.

William's impressive collection of trophies includes five European team gold, two individual silver medals and a World team bronze from Jerez in 2002.

His best season to date was in 2005 - four three-day event wins, British Open Champion, winner of the inaugural BE Premier League, world ranked number two and top of the British national rankings, and individual silver and team gold at the Blenheim European Championships.

William is married to television racing presenter Alice Plunkett, with whom he lives in Dorset. They have two sons - Oliver and Thomas. William is a board director of the Event Riders Association and Vice President of the Dorset County RDA.

William's Record
5th FEI Rider Ranking (as at 1 January 2008)

Five European team gold medals, two individual silver medals and a World team bronze. He has represented Britain at three Olympic Games.

Other recent notable successes are
Team bronze Beijing Olympics 2008 (Parkmore Ed)
3rd Badminton CCI **** 2008 (Ballincoola)
1st Bramham CCI *** 2008 (Navigator)
1st Luhmuhlen CCI **** 2008 (Macchiato)
1st Burghley CCI**** 2007(Parkmore Ed)
1st Bramham CCI ***2007(Macchiato)