William Fox-Pitt secured a superb victory with Macchiato at Luhmühlen CCI**** at the weekend, to head the HSBC FEI Classics standings.
The pair pulled themselves up from ninth after dressage with a clear cross-country round, picking up just 3.6 time penalties along the way, before producing an important clear show jumping round on the final day.
It was Macchiato’s first four-star run and Wiliam was delighted with the horse. “He is consistent, an incredible performer who always does his best and a real tryer,” said William. “I wasn’t expecting it to be honest, but Macchiato has a way of pulling it out of the bag.”
Dressage leader Lucinda Fredericks and Headley Britannia withdrew before the cross-country, leaving the door open for Andrew Hoy to take the lead after a copybook round over the stiff track. Of the 23 riders who took on the cross-country challenge, only 16 completed.
However cross-country brilliance gave way to a show jumping nightmare for Andrew, as Moonfleet had four show jumps down plus three time penalties to drop them to fourth place. Clear rounds from Germany’s Frank Osholt on Little Paint and Stuart Tinney on Vettori saw them finish second and third respectively.
Don’t miss H&H’s full report on all the action from Luhmühlen, on sale Thursday 19 June, ’08
Results
1, Macchiato (William Fox-Pitt) GBR 51.00;
2, Little Paint (Frank Ostholt) Ger 51.40;
3, Vettori (Stuart Tinney) Aus 52.20;
4, Moonfleet (Andrew Hoy) Aus 58.30;
5, Sir Roselier (Julie Tew) GBR 61.00;
6, Ismene du Temple (Didier Dhennin) Fra 61.20;
7, Flambeau Z (Simone Deitermann) Ger 74.60;
8, Karascada (Kai-Steffen Meier) Ger 75.10;
9, I’ve Been Dun (Sacha Pemble) Irl 79.80;
10, Adm. v. Schneider (Dirk Schrade) Ger 86.50;
11, Look Out (Julie Tew) GBR 90.30;
12, SS Jett (Karin Donckers) Bel 99.40;
13, Chill Out Bob (Jeanette Brakewell) GBR 120.90;
14, Howecote Psammite (Julie Lawson) GBR 153.40.
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