Britain won the team gold in the eventing at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games this afternoon, with William Fox-Pitt clinching the individual silver.
In a glorious finale, every British team member whose score needed to count — William Fox-Pitt (Cool Mountain), Mary King (Imperial Cavalier) and Nicola Wilson (Opposition Buzz) — showjumped clear. British individual Pippa Funnell was also faultless to finish fifth on the nine-year-old Redesigned.
This is Britain’s first world team gold since winning at The Hague 16 years ago and both horses and riders enjoyed their lap of honour.
The Americans, second overnight in the team standings, suffered great disappointment, with their final horse, Karen O’Connor’s Mandiba, stopping at the gate at fence seven. Her faults meant the home side dropped to fourth, with Canada moving up to take silver and New Zealand rising from fourth to bronze.
Germany’s Michael Jung jumped a faultless clear to secure the individual gold with nine penalties in hand on La Biosthetique-Sam FBW.
“I have no words for this moment,” he said afterwards.
After the withdrawal of Becky Holder, Germany’s Ingrid Klimke entered the arena in individual bronze, but she and FRH Butts Abraxxas had two fences down to lose their medal.
New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson was the beneficiary of this, his clear on Nereo earning him the individual bronze.
WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES EVENTING RESULTS
FINAL TEAM PLACINGS
1.Great Britain 139.4
2.Canada 151.5
3.New Zealand 154.8
4.USA 160.3
5.Germany 200.7
6.Belgium 227.1
INDIVIDUAL FINAL PLACINGS
1.Michael Jung (La Biosthetique-Sam FBW), GER 33
2.William Fox-Pitt (Cool Mountain), GBR 42
3.Andrew Nicholson (Nereo), NZL 43.5
4.Karin Donckers (Gazelle De La Brasserie), 44.4
5.Pippa Funnell (Redesigned), GBR 45.5
6.Mary King (Imperial Cavalier), GBR 46.2
OTHER BRITISH PLACINGS
15.Nicola Wilson (Opposition Buzz), GBR 51.2
16.Piggy French (Jakata), GBR 51.4
29.Tina Cook (Miners Frolic), GBR 68.3
Full report on the eventing from WEG in H&H, out 7 October, including comment from British team member Tina Cook.
