William Fox-Pitt claimed 1st and 3rd places at Pau CCI4* this afternoon, but he didn’t have it all his own way.
The Brit came into the showjumping holding the top 3 places after yesterday’s cross-country, but his first ride today, Neuf Des Coeurs, had 5 fences down. His next in, Cool Mountain, just touched off the upright at fence 8.
When William came in on the overnight leader Seacookie TSF, he had a pole in hand and he used it up when he hit the first part of the treble at fence 6. But he cleared the rest to seal victory.
“I was lucky I had 3 chances,” said William. “We thought the track walked big, plus there’s a bit of a mound in there so the horses are working on a slope and a camber. Neuf warmed up very well, but he didn’t come off that ground and having started well, he then tensed up and made some mistakes.
“That didn’t get the afternoon off to a great start, but you have to forget it and get on with the other 2. I was lucky in the end that Seacookie could have 1 down. He’s been 2nd at Burghley and Kentucky and he deserved to win 1.”
Maxime Livio finished 2nd on his 4-star debut with Cathar De Gamel — the grey tried his heart out this afternoon to jump a clear and the young Frenchman knew exactly how to ride him.
“I know he can get a bit lazy, so after a 12min cross-country I would need to be there for him,” said Maxime.
The showjumping proved tough with just 7 clears and Phillip Dutton held 4th for the USA despite 2 down at fences 3 and 12 on Mr Medicott.
New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson rose a place to 5th after lowering 3 and 8 on Mr Cruise Control and Frenchman Donatien Schauly moved up 2 spots to 6th with Pivoine Des Touches after hitting the final 2 jumps. Compatriot Cedric Lyard was 7th with one down on Cadeau Du Roi and the USA’s Clark Montgomery had 8 faults to drop 1 place to 10th.
For Britain, Sarah Bullimore dropped 2 spots to 9th with 12 faults on Valentino V, while Tom McEwen rode fantastically for a clear on Dry Old Party, which moved him up from 18th to 11th. Neuf Des Coeurs finished 15th and Sarah was also 19th on My Last One.
Ireland’s Joseph Murphy moved up from 14th to 8th when he just had 4 faults at 10a on Electric Cruise.
Full report in H&H this Thursday, 31 October.
Pau CCI4* results 2013
1. William Fox-Pitt on Seacookie TSF (GBR) 45.5
2. Maxime Livio on Cathar De Gamel (FRA) 46
3. William Fox-Pitt on Cool Mountain (GBR) 46.2
4. Phillip Dutton on Mr Medicott (USA) 52.6
5. Andrew Nicholson on Mr Cruise Control (NZL) 54.1
6. Donatien Schauly on Pivoine Des Touches (FRA) 57
7. Cedric Lyard on Cadeau Du Roi (FRA) 57.4
8. Joseph Murphy on Electric Cruise (IRL) 58.7
9. Sarah Bullimore on Valentino V (GBR) 59.8
10. Clark Montgomery on Universe (USA) 60
