William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning in the dressage phase at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

© FEI/Dirk Caremans

By Equestrian Life

William Fox-Pitt’s flashy chestnut Olympic partner has been retired to stud and we won’t be seeing him in the competition arena again.

At the culmination of the eventing competition in Rio, Fox-Pitt of Great Britain announced that it would probably be the last time he rides the horse in competition. At 16 years of age, Chilli Morning has certainly earned his retirement; he is arguably one of the greatest eventing stallions in the history of the sport.

From 45 international starts, he has finished top ten 23 times - and he is one of only two stallions to take out a four-start event.

Chilli Morning is owned by Lisa and Chris Stone, and began his competition life with Nick Gauntlett - who trained the horse to four-star level. Chilli then found his way to William via Mary King, who found the horse a little too strong.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Chilli Morning.

©Kit Houghton

Nick and Chilli’s notable results include:

•    Winning Longleat CIC2* in 2008
•    Fourth in the CIC2* at Barbury in 2008
•    Winner of the CCI2* at Weston Park in 2008
•    10th at Blenheim CCI3* in 2009
•    Winner of the CIC3* at Houghton Hall in 2010
•    Jumped clear across country at Burghley in 2011
 

William and Chilli’s best results include:

•    Winner of the CCI3* at Bramham in 2012 and 2013
•    Fifth in the CCI4* at Pau in 2012
•    European individual bronze medallist in 2013
•    Winner of the CIC3* at Bramham in 2014
•    World individual bronze and team silver medallist in 2014
•    Won Badminton in 2015
•    12th at the Rio Olympics

William Fox-Pitt riding a test on Chilli Morning.

©Kit Houghton

Equestrian Life's Rio 2016 coverage is proudly brought to you by Barastoc.

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