William Fox-Pitt has made a positive return to competition since a serious accident at the end of last season. The four-time Olympian rode Parklane Hawk and Cool Mountain in the open intermediate (OI) at Burnham Market, Norfolk (1-3 April).
He jumped steady clear cross-country rounds on both horses. William never intended to run the horses fast on this first outing, saying last week: “At the moment I don’t feel that being competitive is very important, but I never am competitive in the spring.
“It hasn’t been a focus of mine all my life so I don’t see why this year is any different." Parklane Hawk , with whom William won Burghley in 2011, scored a 33.4 dressage before rolling just one pole in the showjumping and jumping clear across country with 30 time faults.
“It was a beautiful day, perfect conditions so I was very fortunate. It was great to be out again to blow all the cobwebs off.”
