William Fox-Pitt given all-clear for eventing comeback
William Fox-Pitt has been given the all-clear to return to competition following his serious accident last year.
The six-time Burghley winner has returned to the saddle and entered Burnham Market (1-3 April) with four horses, including 2015 Badminton winner Chilli Morning.
William suffered a head trauma when he fell at Le Lion d’Angers on 17 October.
He spent three weeks in a French hospital, flying back to the UK on 9 November to continue his treatment, but has now been cleared to compete by his specialist.
“It is all systems go here and everything is on target,” said William in a statement on his website.
“The horses are well, and I am hoping to be out competing at Burnham Market soon.”
William added that his young horses have been having their first few outings with Harry Meade and Hector Payne.
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“Yogi [Breisner] came down this week and we jumped four horses together,” he added.
“A big thank you to everyone who has supported me through my recovery. I am looking forward to working with Chilli Morning and the rest of the horses and getting going with the season.”
William was injured in the fall at fence 20 of the cross-country, an owl hole, while riding Reinstated.
The pair were competing in the seven-year-old CCI2* class at the FEI/WBFSH world championships for young eventing horses.
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William had already completed the course successfully on his first ride, The Soapdodger.
Reinstated, who William first competed in May 2014 at Chatsworth, was not injured.
The course was held for more than an hour while William received medical assistance before he was transferred to Angers hospital.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.