FOX-PITT BEST OF BRITS — AND LAST RIDE ON CHILLI

IT may not have been the fairytale ending to William Fox-Pitt’s Olympic story but for him to have made it to Rio — let alone led after the dressage — fewer than 10 months after he suffered serious head injuries in a fall at Le Lion d’Angers is incredible.

Less than eight months since he first rode after his accident, he and Chilli Morning finished best of the Brits in Rio, in 12th place.

“People are so supportive,” he said. “Our sport can have sad stories and I’m not a sad story. I’m a good example that we can do it.

“To have people wishing you well is brilliant, but they do anyway. If I go to the start and see Michael Jung I’ll say good luck — in what other sport do you get that?”

William added that having Rio to aim for helped motivate him to regain his fitness.

“It’s been a big journey,” he said. “I’ve always had it in my head to be here, although it seemed an unrealistic target. I lost so much fitness, my sight was dodgy and that made me feel compromised. It was blurry, then I had double vision.

“Chilli was very good and didn’t mind me missing on him. There were always two jumps and I didn’t know until I was one stride away which one I was going to jump.

“Mentally I was tired and I still am, but I’m waking up,” he added. “It’s been slow. I think if you asked my teammates, they would say ‘William’s not normal yet’, but I feel great.”

William paid tribute to the help British riders receive from UK Sport and lottery funding. “I’ve had more treatments this year than in my whole life; we’re very lucky. We’re grateful physio Kate Davis is here,” he said.