Intro:

William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain took the overall lead in the eventing competition at the World Equestrian Games with a clean ride in the cross-country portion on Saturday (30th August).

Script:

British eventer William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning conquered a tricky cross-country course to claim the lead in the Eventing competition at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France on Saturday.

Soft ground and rain were a challenge for the riders, and no rider managed to finish the six-kilometre course in under the target time of 10 minutes, 30 seconds, yet a clean round assured world number one Fox-Pitt of the top spot going in Sunday's (31st August) decisive show-jumping round.

Fox-Pitt will face stiff competition from Germany's Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo, who were the last to negotiate the taxing cross-country course.

Although they looked to be on target for a fast, clear round, the chestnut gelding horse ran out of steam over the final fences and Auffarth slipped down to second place.

She is poised just 0.3 of a penalty in front of her team-mate and defending champion Michael Jung.

With the the top five riders so tightly bunched there will be no room for error on Sunday.

In the team competition, Germany hold the gold medal position while Great Britain have risen to silver in the standings with 14th placed Tina Cook (De Novo News) and Zara Philips (High Kingdom) in 15th spot the best of the British after Fox-Pitt.