Medal winner William Fox-Pitt rode Lionheart to silver

William Fox-Pitt rides to glory

A Kent Olympian has won a silver medal in an outstanding display by the horsemen and women of TeamGB.

Canterbury rider William Fox-Pitt, riding Lionheart, was a major part of the team which won a silver medal in the three-day eventing.

The top ranked rider was appearing on the biggest stage for the fourth time, having debuted in Atlanta in 1996, and formed part of the five-strong eventing team is competing at a new venue at Greenwich Park.

The 43-year-old - who claimed team silver in Athens and a bronze four years ago in Beijing -rode in the final stage of the team pursuit, with Nicola Wilson leading off, Mary King going second, Zara Phillips third and Tina Cook fourth.

But the gold went to Germany, who gained five points more.

Britain’s eventers had not won gold since Munich in 1972, when Zara’s father Captain Mark Phillips was in the team, but they gave it everything against a crack German quintet of world champion Michael Jung, Ingrid Klimke, Peter Thomsen, Dirk Schrade and Sandra Auffarth.

Medal positions with riders and horses

1. Germany (Peter Thomsen, Barny; Dirk Schrade, King Artus; Sandra Auffarth, Opgun Louvo; Michael Jung, Sam; Ingrid Klimke, Butts Abraxxas), 133.70.

2. Britain (William Fox-Pitt, Lionheart; Nicola Wilson, Opposition Buzz; Zara Phillips, High Kingdom; Mary King, Imperial Cavalier; Kristina Cook, Miners Frolic), 138.20.

3. New Zealand (Jonelle Richards, Flintstar; Caroline Powell, Lenamore; Jonathan Paget, Clifton Promise; Andrew Nicholson, Nereo; Mark Todd, Campino), 144.40.