Pre-Olympic open day with William Fox-Pitt

William Fox-Pitt, the world’s leading event rider, is hosting a pre-Olympic open day at his yard in Dorset this weekend.

William plans to school and jump his Olympic-potential horses: Tamarillo, Tom Cruise, Coastal Ties and Ballincoola, giving the British crowd an opportunity to see the man, his horses and his team in action behind the scenes at his home.

The 35-year-old is due to compete at Aston-le-Walls the following weekend with Tamarillo, Coastal Ties and Ballincoola in the four star event, while Tom Cruise rests on his laurels following victory at Saumur at the end of May.

Other horses, including Moon Man and Stunning, who top William’s list will also be on show on Saturday, while the man himself will be signing copies of his book, “Schooling for Success”. He and his wife, racing presenter Alice Plunkett, will host the occasion, supported by his stable-staff.

Proceeds from the open day will be donated to Katie and Eloise Memorial Trust, which was set up in memory of Eloise and Katie Plunkett who both died of cancer, Katie from Leukaemia in 1996 at the age of 16 and Eloise from skin cancer in 2002 at the age of 27.

• For more information, go to www.foxpitteventing.co.uk/OpenDay.html

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