William Fox-Pitt Posts First Win at Cornbury House Horse Trials

British Olympian William Fox-Pitt became the first winner of a showpiece class at the inaugural Cornbury House Horse Trials and declared that he was “daring to dream a little” after his victory in the CCI2*-S on the exciting youngster Centurian Bay.

The Irish-bred gelding is owned by Oxfordshire-based Robert and Pep Glenn. Robert bought the handsome seven-year-old last year as a golden wedding present to his wife and the horse was named for a combination of their 50 years of marriage and William’s 50 years of age.

We came here as I knew the organising team at Cornbury House would make it an occasion,”

explained William, a former world number one.

I wanted a bit of ambience and excitement and they’ve really put in on. What they’ve done is brilliant.”

William, who won classes at Cornbury’s earlier incarnation as Cornbury Park Horse Trials, in the 1990s, on such star horses as Chaka, Stunning and Tamarillo, described designer David Evans’s cross-country course as educational and varied.

Centurian Bay has learned a lot. There was every type of fence and it was on lovely ground. I’m really excited about this horse – there’s something about him. He’s keeping an old man happy, anyway!”

he said.

Finishing on his dressage score of 23.0 William was only .90 of a score ahead of Gemma Tattersall riding gelding, Johan-Some. Tom McEwen and MHS Brown Jack took third place.

CCI2*-S Class – Section B

Archie Smith-Maxwell, who scored his first international win in the NAF Youth Performance CCI2*-S, wasn’t even born when there was last a horse trials in this spectacular park. Aged 17, he is juggling schoolwork – he is a pupil at Oakham School in Rutland – with competing five horses.

His winning mount, Akolien, was given to him by former international rider Judy Bradwell.

The mare had had time off and the deal was that if we got her sound, we could keep her, so I’ve put in a lot of time riding her on the roads,”

explained Archie.

Daisy Proctor and Quarry Man took second place with Jess Falle and Furich Tejo in third finishing on their dressage score of 32.6. Both Daisy and Archie picked up penalties during their cross-country round.

Following the fantastic success of the inaugural Cornbury House Horse Trials, next year’s event is set to take place from 10-12 September (2021).

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Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.