STURMINSTER Newton's William Fox-Pitt secured an Olympic silver medal as Great Britain's eventing team saw off the challenge of New Zealand at Greenwich Park this afternoon.

Their brave gold medal challenge ultimately came up short as European champions and Olympic title favourites Germany took gold, with the Kiwis clinching bronze.

Tina Cook's showjumping round - she had just one time fault - meant the hosts secured second place and gave Britain its 18th Olympic post-war eventing medal alongside her team-mates of Zara Phillips, Nicola Wilson, Fox-Pitt and Mary King.

Reflecting on his London 2012 experience, Fox-Pitt said: "We are all being carried along on this wave of craziness.

"This is something we have never experienced in our careers and never will again. It's just not normal.''
The 43-year-old was watched by his wife Alice Plunkett, the Channel 4 racing presenter, and their five-year-old son Thomas.

Plunkett was quick to defend Phillips, after the Queen's granddaughter received one fence penalty and three time penalties during her showjumping round.

Plunkett said: ''Gold was there for the taking. Obviously it is really disappointing that they didn't get it.

''It is not Zara's fault there were little mistakes. It's a team, it isn't about one person.

''William's time faults yesterday (in the Cross Country) were expensive. There are a whole host of reasons - it's never down to one person.''

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