William at home with his lurcher,Turtle Photo: Alison Duthie
When An Eventful Life’s Alison Duthie was home in the UK last year she popped down to Dorset to see her old boss, William Fox-Pitt. At that time William mentioned that he hoped to come to the HSBC FEI Classics event in Adelaide for the 2012 Australian International 3 Day Event.
“It’s the only four star I haven’t won and that in itself is a big enticement. I know Adelaide doesn’t have a huge field but it’s a very competitive one and I would love to ride there” William told Alison last year
Well now it appears that he has made his decision and William, three times the world’s number one rider and British Olympic medallist will be competing in Adelaide this year – yay!!
Last year William thought that it might be a ‘tall order’ for his owners to bring a horse over for one competition at the end of the season but it appears that William will hopefully compete on one of his own four star horses, depending on quarantine restrictions.
William and Parklane Hawk at Rolex Kentucky 2012 Photo: Libby Law
Whatever the outcome of quarantine, the Australian International 3 Day Event has announced that William will be here as an HSBC ambassador and that he will be presenting Master Classes
William did attend EQUITANA Melbourne in 2010 but his only competition feat there was winning the Ride and Drive scurry where the riders had to jump a showjumping round then hop onto the back of a small carriage driven by Australian champions which they drove at high speed round a short course (see video below with William as you've probably never seen him before!) It was silly but fun and true to form, William won! Let’s hope that we see him this time really compete on his four star horse Parklane Hawk or one of his other great horses.
The Australian International 3 Day Event is always a highlight of our year watching some of the best eventing riders in the world compete on home soil and this year it looks like being extra special. You can rest assured that we’ll be there covering it all for you!
