William Fox-Pitt secures early lead in WEG

British team anchor William Fox-Pitt has taken a clear 3pen lead on day one of the eventing dressage at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Cool Chilli

The stallion is capable of producing some very good scores in the opening phase, and today was no exception – despite the somewhat testing conditions at the Haras Du Pin Stud. William finished a score of 37.5pen to go 3.2pen clear of Germany’s Michael Jung andFischerrocana FST.

“I’m very relieved that we nailed the test,he coped really well in that arena,” said William of the 14-year-old stallion. “I think it was definitely the best test he’s ever done, it was as good, if not better than the one he did in Kentucky. He was in a very good frame of mind – very ride-able.”

William took over the lead from Germany’s Michael Jung, who held the top spot for around half the day. He scored 40.7pen on his nine-year-old mare and ends the first day in second place. In third was his team mate Ingrid Klimke, who made the most of her dressage background to finish on 41.2pen with FRH Escada JS.

Disappointment

The British pathfinder Zara Phillips and High Kingdom ended up in 21st on 54.5pen – a score that left her ‘a little bit annoyed’. “I was really happy with him, he did some really good work and everything I asked of him,” said the former World and European champion. “He broke in the medium trot and my marks didn’t come back up after that. He does nice work but he’s not a flash horse.”

But Zara is remaining positive, believing that Saturday’s cross-country course will be influential and should suit her gelding.

“You’ve got to look at the whole event, it’s not just about the dressage phase. You need something that will gallop up those hills and make those distances; we’ve just got to go out there and ride to the conditions. It’s tough and it’s raining,” she added.

All smiles

The last of Team GB’s riders to go, Nicola Wilson, finished in eight place after scoring 46.0 with the dark bay mare Annie Clover.

“There were a couple of very expensive mistakes, so to still come out with a score like that I couldn’t be prouder, I’m just delighted,” said Nicola. “She did a lot of really super work and hopefully she’s just at the start of her career. Thatwas obviously her first championship test and her first four-star so it is a big step up for any horse but I have a lot of confidence in her.”

Nicola’s score won’t count towards the team result however, as she is representing Britain as an individual. The team is currently in the bronze medal position at this early stage, behind Germany and New Zealand.

The other Brit competing for individual medals only is Oliver Townend, who will get proceedings underway once again at 8.30am tomorrow (GMT). Tina Cook (De Novo News) and Harry Meade (Wild Lone) will complete their tests at 11.10 and 15.40 GMT.

Results

Individual

1 William Fox-Pitt (GBR)/ Chilli Morning – 37.5

2 Michael Jung (GER)/ Fischerrocana FST – 40.7

3 Ingrid Klimke (GER)/ FRH Escada JS – 41.2

4 Tim Price (NZL)/ Wesko – 42.0

5 Elaine Pen (NED)/ Vira – 42.3

Team

1 Germany – 81.9

2 New Zealand – 91.2

3 Great Britain – 92

4 USA – 92.5

The Netherlands – 97.3