Francis Whittington and Brother Bertie
An Eventful Life is filming all competitors on cross country at
Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing 2019 - find out more here
Francis Whittington defended his Dodson & Horrell British Novice title at the 2019 Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing with one of only two cross country rides inside the optimum time on Sarah Arrowsmith’s Brother Bertie today. A clear show jumping round moved them up from fifth after the dressage, but it was the double clear cross country that sealed the deal for Francis’ second consecutive title win and third in his career, having won on DHI Purple Rain last year and Evento in 2016
William Fox-Pitt and his seven-year-old mare Grafennachtwas incurred 2.8 time penalties, putting him just 0.9 behind Francis for second place while locally-based Italian rider Vittoria Panizzon was third on Gebaliaretto. Hayden Hankey, the only other rider inside the optimum time, leapt from 16th after the first two phases to eventual fourth on Cartown Galaxy
Our full report to come next week but here is what Francis had to say about his win and his other rides today
