In the run-up to his Rolex Grand Slam attempt at Badminton, William Fox-Pitt talks about what's been going on in his life over the past few months.
"The big excitement at the end of October last year was definitely the arrival of Chloe Rose into the family! Luckily she waited to appear before I got back from Pau, so her timing was perfect. She’s now six month’s old and it’s like she’s always been here – she gets on really well with her two older brothers, and parents for that matter – we’ve been very lucky, she’s a good girl.
The break I had between November and January was fairly baby focused. Normally at that time of year we would have a holiday, Alice and I, but this year that wasn’t really going to be possible. That said, I did go to Adelaide for the four-star event over there. I was originally going to take a horse to the show, but by the time that had become impossible to do due to horse quarantines, I was already committed to going, so I went to Australia for 10 days, which was highly enjoyable – there was very hot nice weather, and it was good to experience a different side of the world. Apart from that we’ve just been around the UK enjoying a quieter time over the winter. The horses had a holiday, grooms had a holiday, we had a holiday, and although we didn’t get away we were by no means working hard.
The feeling around the team is good. After the Olympics, I felt that this year may be a bit of an anti-climax for everyone as it was such a big focus throughout last season, but actually this year has got me really excited due to our horses’ prospects. I had a few that missed 2012 because of injury that have now come back into work, so for the season ahead I have lots of exceptional horses to concentrate on. I’ve got a new top horse called Running Order, who came from America, and I’m very excited about him. He’s produced by Doug Payne and is at four-star level, he rode in the Rolex Kentucky last year, and although it’s early days he’s a super horse. Cool Mountain is also back, having been injured last year, which was a shame as he missed out on the Olympics. I’m hoping he will be back up to top form very soon.
The spring season has started well, we did have quite a frustrating start with cancellations at two or three events thanks to the weather, but since then its dried up well and I’ve had some good competitions with the horses, including Burnham Market and Weston Park, where the horses have run well and felt good. Results aren't always my focus at the one-day events but they are always good training for the three-days.
I'm riding Seacookie and Chilli Morning at Kentucky, while for Badminton I’m taking Parklane Hawk and Oslo. It’s been very much business as usual for me in the lead up to Badminton, but there has been some perennial hype surrounding Badminton and this year the Rolex Grand Slam too. The build-up is always exciting, and this season has been fantastic with lots of media interest and various interviews. It’s important for me to realise though that winning at Badminton is a very long shot, as this year looks very competitive thanks largely to a high international contingent, including Michael Jung among others. Then again, if I do my bit, with the horses on good form, it’s by no means a foregone conclusion.
I don’t think whether Andrew is in contention for the Rolex Grand Slam or not makes much difference to me. I have to win Badminton either way if I am to claim the Grand Slam, which means beating him. However it would obviously make things highly exciting, and create another edge to the competition, which everyone would love, but I think it won’t make that much difference at the end of the day."
William Fox-Pitt
William is the current live contender for the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize. Follow our reports throughout Badminton at our special minisite
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