William Fox-Pitt’s Legendary Tamarillo Passes Away

Tamarillo, William Fox-Pitt’s legendary eventing partner, was humanely euthanized today at age 23 according to a statement posted on the Fox-Pitt Eventing website. “Age had simply caught up” with the Anglo-Arabian gelding bred and owned by the Guinness family at Biddesden Stud.

William and Tamarillo had a storied career together, coming second in the Badminton CCI4* in 2002, a performance that earned them a spot on the British Team for the World Equestrian Games in Jerez. They also represented Great Britain at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the 2005 European Championships at Blenheim (where they won individual silver and team gold) and the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen.

William has said the gelding was a spooky ride, but that was part of what made him so good. Tamarillo gave William his first Badminton victory in 2004, followed by second place there the following year. Their final FEI event together resulted in a victory at Burghley CCI4* in 2008.

Tamarillo spent his retirement “under the watchful eye” of William’s head girl Jackie Potts, who traveled the world caring for the gelding during his glory days. He had an incredible presence, he was one in a million and I feel very lucky to have partnered him for all those special years,” William said of Tamarillo.

Tamarillo will be missed by many eventing fans young and old, as he has touched hearts across generations. His legacy will live on through our precious memories and a clone of Tamarillo named Tomatillo, born in San Antonio, New Mexico in 2013.

[Tamarillo]