Fox-Pitt nets Burghley title

Fox-Pitt was a surprise winner on Highland Lad

William Fox-Pitt has ridden Highland Lad to a surprise win at the Burghley Horse Trials.

The pair had started the final showjumping phase in third spot behind Polly Stockton and Andrew Nicholson.

But Nicholson was forced to pull out when his horse, New York, went lame and Stockton caught the 10th fence on Word For Word.

In taking the £20,000 first prize, Fox-Pitt became the first British winner at Burghley since Mary King on Star Appeal back in 1996.

And afterwards he admitted he was surprised by the result.

He said: "This is beyond my wildest hopes.

"I came here with modest expectations and I feel I got there by the mistakes of others.

"Highland Lad is very excitable and a worrier, so I thought mentally he was not ready for Burghley."