DORSET’S William Fox-Pitt completed a hat-trick of victories in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event over the weekend.

The Sturminster Newton-based star held his nerve to guide Bay My Hero faultlessly around the show jumping course to land the spoils.

Second after the dressage, Fox-Pitt took his inexperienced 11-year-old mount into pole position following a well-timed cross-country round.

And he maintained his lead in the final event to finish clear on 44 penalties overall ahead of American Lauren Kieffer, aboard Veronica, who was second (46.7).

The 45-year-old’s victory installed him as leader in the FEI Classics Series after three of the six counting events as he warmed up for next month’s Badminton Horse Trials in impressive fashion.

Olympian Fox-Pitt, who also who won at Kentucky in 2010 with Cool Mountain and two years ago aboard Parkland Hawk, collected $80,000 and a Rolex watch.

He said: “Each one is special for its own merits. You can never believe it has happened until it has come off. I didn’t come here expecting to win. I came here expecting to enjoy two nice horses.”

When asked how he would wear three Rolex watches, Fox-Pitt replied: “My wife Alice has the second one and I guess this one will be for one of my sons.”

Fox-Pitt is married to Alice Plunkett, the former eventer and current presenter on Channel 4 Racing, and they live in Sturminster Newton.