There is no stopping William Fox-Pitt at Gatcombe this weekend – he has now added the Intermediate Championship crown to his winnings. Yesterday he took home first and second prizes in the British Novice Championship on Navigator and Chuckelberry as well as winning an advanced section. Today it was Macchiato who carried Fox-Pitt to victory “It was a nice surprise,” Fox-Pitt told HHO, “he’s a big thoroughbred and he gave me a superb ride.”
Andrew Nicholson took second place on Armada. Nicholson and Fox-Pitt both finished on a score of 40.3 pen but the title went to Fox-Pitt who had produced the better dressage test. “He (Macchiato) is only eight so he’s a young horse. The dressage has taken a long time to establish – he’s a bit of a worrier,” Fox-Pitt explained.
Polly Stockton and Westwood Joker jumped a double clear to take third place with Nick Gauntlett and Suspence VT in fourth.
Sixth place went to young rider Jade Lazenby (pictured) who is just moments away from tackling the British Open Championship cross-country course for the first time. Lazenby and Ramiro’s Secret scored an impressive 38.1 pen in the dressage phase and jumped a clear show jumping round. The pair cruised around the cross-country adding just 8.8 time penalties to their score – very respectable considering many riders clocked up over 20.
But despite the tight time, Mark Phillips’ intermediate course proved an excellent test. “It was a superb course,” William Fox-Pitt concluded, “spot on.”
