Sunday 10 May 2015 20:43, UK
Olympic silver medal winner William Fox-Pitt has won his second Badminton Horse Trials title with a dramatic, history-making victory on Chilli Morning.
Fox-Pitt produced a show jumping clear round to follow up his 2004 win to end a six-year wait for a British winner while Chilli Morning became the first stallion to win an elite four-star event anywhere in the world.
New Zealander Andrew Nicholson had led the event since Thursday morning but had three fences down and dropped from first to sixth.
Germany's Ingrid Klimke finished second on Horseware Hale Bob and 2013 Badminton winner Jonathan Paget was third on Clifton Lush.
"It is a massive relief," said Fox-Pitt. "I can't believe it.
"You are so in the lap of the Gods when you are lying second going into show jumping. I knew I had to jump a clear round, and I thought I just can't have another one pole off.
"I am so proud of him. I felt I let him down a little bit in the dressage on Friday, and today I think we made it up.”
The victory followed podium finishes at the 2013 European Championships and last year's World Equestrian Games when the pair claimed bronze.
"I have got an amazing horse, and you feel you just don't want to waste it. It's such a relief for the team. Hearts were broken at the World Equestrian Games, and this feels great today.
"The fact he is the first stallion to win a four-star makes me feel quite emotional.”
The 15-year-old Chilli Morning will now take a rest, and if current form is maintained it would be a major surprise if he does not spearhead the Great Britain eventing team's Rio Olympics challenge next year.
