STURMINSTER Newton equestrian star William Fox-Pitt claimed the Bovington one-day event Novice class title on one of his young horses, Freddie Mac.

Despite torrential rain, crowds gathered to watch the Dorset star ride the eight-year-old chestnut thoroughbred to victory with an impressive dressage score of 27 and double clear scores in the show jumping and cross country sections.

It was the first time that Fox-Pitt had ridden the Novice course at Bovington, following its construction late last year.

“It’s great news for the south west to get a Novice course here,” said the Olympic hopeful.

“Bovington has built a superb track, big, bold and imposing, with lots of interesting questions for upcoming riders and a little bit of everything – banks, ditches and water.”

Local up-and-coming event riders can follow in Fox-Pitt’s footsteps and experience Bovington’s cross country course by attending its summer camp (June 22-24).

Meanwhile, fans of Fox-Pitt can watch him at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials next week (May 3-7) where he will no doubt be keen to add a second Badminton victory to his impressive portfolio (he won in 2004).

However, competition at Badminton will be fierce. While his Olympic Games place may seem certain, for many other international riders this will be the last time to impress their nation’s selectors.

While Freddie Mac may be a rising star, Fox-Pitt will be riding two other more experienced horses, Seacookie and Neuf Des Coeurs, at Badminton, with Lionheart also entered as a back-up.

Tickets are still available for Badminton from www.badminton-horse.co.uk.