William Fox-Pitt insists he is not getting carried away just yet despite sitting second at the Burghley Horse Trials after an impressive dressage test.
Fox-Pitt and 11-year-old horse Bay My Hero put in a near faultless performance to score 39.5 from the judges from their dressage portion of the event.
He was one of just two riders to dip below the 40-point mark with only New Zealander Jonathan Paget, on board Clifton Promise, going better with 38.8.
However Fox-Pitt was one position better after the dressage at last week’s World Equestrian Games before eventually finishing with individual bronze and team silver.
And while impressed with his horse’s calm performance, Fox-Pitt knows there is plenty more work yet with the cross country and showjumping still to come.
“I’m very happy with Bay My Hero. He made his mark at the first trot up on his back legs, I’ve been quite aware that he needed to settle,” he said.
“He’s very excited to be here. We went in there and he was as good as I could have hoped. He was super and did some lovely work.
“Once he gets on with it, he’s fine. He’s a show off really. But it’s a long time to wait until Friday afternoon and he’s been dying to get going.
“He’s really coming up; this is a big step up for him in his flat work. He’s gone from 44 in Kentucky into the 30s now which is very exciting. It’s great to break that barrier.
“I’m delighted with him and it’s great to have a good start. But I’m sure it won’t be a dressage show, I said it last week and I’ll say it again.”
© Sportsbeat 2014