Fox-Pitt rides into record books at Burghley with Parklane Hawk success

The 42-year-old headed into the competition level on five wins with fellow Briton Ginny Leng and New Zealand’s Mark Todd, but overcame difficult conditions on a wet course to triumph on 40.7 points.

Kiwi Andrew Nicholson was second on his 2010 world championship individual bronze medal horse Nereo (+4.4pts), with Britain’s Mary King third on her 2011 Rolex Kentucky four-star winner Kings Temptress (+6.7).

Dorset-based Fox-Pitt, world championship individual silver medallist in Kentucky last October, said: “I can’t believe it. He was superb today. The conditions went against him. He’s still a bit green in show-jumping but he’s a phenomenal horse and I’m so lucky to have him to ride.

“I went in thinking ‘believe in him’, but realistically what was my chance? It was tiny. It’s such an enormous relief to have got the record here at Burghley.

“It really feels amazing to have won Burghley six times. For Toddy and Ginny to now be just behind me is very satisfying. They are legends and I’ve managed to beat them, but Toddy’s still going!”

World No 3 Nicholson has been in blistering form, winning at Gatcombe recently, but admitted he had been beaten by an outstanding performance.

“William’s horse jumped immaculately and won,” he said. “There you go – we tried.

“It’s one of the best (events). I love riding here. There’s a great crowd of people come and watch, and appreciate what you’re doing. They stay till the bitter end. Look at the rain we’ve had today and they stay to the end and enjoy it and I enjoy entertaining them.”

Caroline Powell (Lenamore) and Jonathan Paget (Clifton Lush) completed a strong showing from New Zealand by claiming third and fourth spots, respectively, with Britain’s Clea Phillipps fifth on Lead The Way.

Zara Phillips was 10th on High Kingdom.