William Fox-Pitt helps Britain to silver Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

by Alex Hoad

William Fox-Pitt has claimed his third Olympic medal after helping Britain earn silver in the eventing competition at Greenwich Park on Tuesday afternoon.

The 43-year-old Canterbury-born equestrian star produced a clear show jumping round on Tuesday morning to cement Britain’s grip on second-spot, which they had taken during the cross-country discipline on Monday.

Fox-Pitt and his mount Lionheart had begun with a fine personal best in the dressage on Sunday before a disappointing cross-country time when the horse appeared to tire, which effectively ended any hopes of an individual medal.

After his four teammates competed, Britain pipped New Zealand to the silver, with Germany convincing winners.

And Fox-Pitt was thrilled at the reception the home fans had given the team.

"We are all being carried along on this wave of craziness, " he said.

"This is something we have never experienced in our careers and never will again. It's just not normal."

Fox-Pitt first competed in the team event at Atlanta in 1996, missed Sydney in 2000, but claimed silver in Athens in 2004 and took bronze in Beijing four years ago.

Tina Cook secured the medal with a superb final round performance under immense pressure from NZ and Sweden.

Germany won with 133.70pts, Britain were second with 138.20 and NZ took bronze in 144.40.

However Fox-Pitt, a six-time Burghley horse trials winner - missed out on a place in the final of the showjumping by 0.2pts to teammate Zara Phillips, despite finishing 15th overall.

Only the top three from each country qualify for the individual final and Zara pipped him for the third GB spot. Fox-Pitt was 15th in the show jumping, 22nd in the cross-country and joint-17th in the dressage.