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What Will Be: The Autobiography
As the son of two Badminton riders, William Fox-Pitt was born into the eventing world, and when he won the huge red, white and blue champion's rosette at his local Pony Club Gymkhana in the Jubilee Year of 1977, he was hooked. Now, in this autobiography, he discusses his battles to get to the top, and the excitement of the sport that has dominated his life.
William speaks freely about the break-up of his first marriage and his move to Dorset in 2002 with his second wife, racing journalist Alice Plunkett. It was the prelude to a period of unrivalled success on the eventing circuit. His career has seen both triumph and his Badminton victory in 2004 was followed by the heartbreak of the Athens Olympics, with Tamarillo going lame when poised for team gold and individual glory. He also analyses the risks in a sport that has killed several close friends, and how that knowledge affects him each time he goes out to compete.
What Will Be will appeal to anyone with an interest in equestrian matters.
William speaks freely about the break-up of his first marriage and his move to Dorset in 2002 with his second wife, racing journalist Alice Plunkett. It was the prelude to a period of unrivalled success on the eventing circuit. His career has seen both triumph and his Badminton victory in 2004 was followed by the heartbreak of the Athens Olympics, with Tamarillo going lame when poised for team gold and individual glory. He also analyses the risks in a sport that has killed several close friends, and how that knowledge affects him each time he goes out to compete.
What Will Be will appeal to anyone with an interest in equestrian matters.
- GenresHorses
280 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2007
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55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 19, 2012
After Mary King's autobiography, this had me almost choking on silver spoons. Both Fox-Pitt's parents rode competitively, his mother to international level, and the family certainly wasn't short of a bob or two. But you still have to do the work in your own right, and William certainly has. The style is as overwhelmingly bland as you'd expect from a ghosted bio, and there are some lines you need to read between. Enjoyed it though, and am looking forward to Minty Clinch's previous construction, the life of Mark Todd.
May 11, 2022
Extremely interesting to compare privileged William Fox-Pitt's life with horses to that of Nick Skelton - who had extremely humble beginnings. This book is a very interesting read for horse-lovers and catalogues Will's riding career as well as being extremely gentlemanly about his personal relationships with others, including his ex-wife and fellow riders. If I were to be not as polite, I would label him a gentleman and a toff, that about sums it up! There are one or two slightly non-PC comments too, which reveal the completely private-school upbringing that lucky Will had, including referring to 'a man's horse' etc. etc. and there are LOTS of spelling mistakes, which should have been spotted by the editor.
This book is, however, an honest and fairly compelling book as fair as equestrian biographies are concerned. I couldn't put it down. It ends in 2009, so a lot of advancements and changes have been made in competitions, equipment etc., but for its era, this is overall an excellent read for those of us who love horses and watch the careers of sporting champions like Will.
This book is, however, an honest and fairly compelling book as fair as equestrian biographies are concerned. I couldn't put it down. It ends in 2009, so a lot of advancements and changes have been made in competitions, equipment etc., but for its era, this is overall an excellent read for those of us who love horses and watch the careers of sporting champions like Will.
March 4, 2024
Gross & racist slur dropped very casually on page 2. It is not necessary for context. It could have been edited out quite easily. I can't imagine how this got through everyone involved without anyone raising a fuss. Bad reflection on the authors, the editors and the publisher.
October 23, 2017
Good insughts
READABLE AND OK and some good insights into eventing etc was jnteresting to read how horses came to be there
READABLE AND OK and some good insights into eventing etc was jnteresting to read how horses came to be there
February 7, 2022
Less inspiring
November 5, 2025
Pretty typical autobiography of a top rider. Lots of recounting of specific events, wins, horses. However William's personal touch was there, and it was a quick fun read.
August 27, 2012
William Fox-Pitt has to be one of the most highly recognized sports professionals within his chosen sphere, as a fantastic event rider who is an inspiration to many an equestrian both young and old. Whether you are a young pony club rider or a happy hacker, it is those individuals at the top of their game that constantly enthuse and delight us with their exceptional horsemanship. This revised and updated autobiography takes one on a most intimate and personal journey through the life of this remarkable man, who has worked so hard to get to the top via a road that was not always easy. His career is one that continues to fascinate many with its great, outstanding achievements and memorable moments including many Olympics that will not be forgotten. Honest and outspoken William Fox-Pitt talks quite candidly and honestly about the risks of the sport, that has sadly claimed the life of several of his close friends whilst providing a most intriguing and moving insight into the horses that he has owned and ridden; being all uniquely distinctive and special.
Born into the Eventing world William Fox-Pitt grew up around horses, hence since he won a championship rosette at his local Pony Club gymkhana he was completely hooked. It is a passion that has stayed with him forever and a dream career that has taken a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears to achieve as the road to success is not always easy. Here he talks about all the trials and tribulations that he has encountered over the years and the excitement and dangers of the sport that he loves so much. His career has seen as much triumph as it has disaster, with his victory at Badminton in 2004 being followed by the disappointments at the Athens Olympics where Tamarillo sadly went lame after being poised for glory. With the distinctive 2007-2008 season William Fox-Pitt gives a frank assessment of Badminton, and how his horse had to be withdrawn from it. From the Beijing Olympics to the back-to-back wins at Burghley in 2007 and 2008, one glimpses into the extraordinary competition career of a most outstanding rider.
Complete with stunning photographs of his childhood and youth, his family and the horses that he has ridden and competed on in many Olympics, this is a book that any horse enthusiast and pony mad person will treasure. Realistic accounts of the happenings at each major event there is nothing that is glossed over or dismissed, as William explains all the highs and lows in meticulous detail including those parts that were not as shiny. I enjoyed learning more about some of those incredible horses that have helped him achieve the impossible, and which has made his career so successful with a close partnership between horse and rider. From Badminton in 1989 with Steadfast; the horse that helped him to climb up the ladder and have a go at his dream, to Tamarillo at the Athens Olympics in 2004 that proved to be entirely controversial. This engaging and engrossing read is full of whit, fast-paced drama and great gallops that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Complete with an appendix of synopsis about his top ten horses, this book was a true delight to read and one that has totally captured my heart. Full of emotion and thought-provoking sincerity, this beautiful book has to be one of my favorite autobiographies of a dedicated sports professional who has a special place in many equestrians’ hearts. If you love Eventing or competition riding and learning about competing at the highest level, then I grantee that you will love William Fox-Pitt’s account.
Born into the Eventing world William Fox-Pitt grew up around horses, hence since he won a championship rosette at his local Pony Club gymkhana he was completely hooked. It is a passion that has stayed with him forever and a dream career that has taken a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears to achieve as the road to success is not always easy. Here he talks about all the trials and tribulations that he has encountered over the years and the excitement and dangers of the sport that he loves so much. His career has seen as much triumph as it has disaster, with his victory at Badminton in 2004 being followed by the disappointments at the Athens Olympics where Tamarillo sadly went lame after being poised for glory. With the distinctive 2007-2008 season William Fox-Pitt gives a frank assessment of Badminton, and how his horse had to be withdrawn from it. From the Beijing Olympics to the back-to-back wins at Burghley in 2007 and 2008, one glimpses into the extraordinary competition career of a most outstanding rider.
Complete with stunning photographs of his childhood and youth, his family and the horses that he has ridden and competed on in many Olympics, this is a book that any horse enthusiast and pony mad person will treasure. Realistic accounts of the happenings at each major event there is nothing that is glossed over or dismissed, as William explains all the highs and lows in meticulous detail including those parts that were not as shiny. I enjoyed learning more about some of those incredible horses that have helped him achieve the impossible, and which has made his career so successful with a close partnership between horse and rider. From Badminton in 1989 with Steadfast; the horse that helped him to climb up the ladder and have a go at his dream, to Tamarillo at the Athens Olympics in 2004 that proved to be entirely controversial. This engaging and engrossing read is full of whit, fast-paced drama and great gallops that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Complete with an appendix of synopsis about his top ten horses, this book was a true delight to read and one that has totally captured my heart. Full of emotion and thought-provoking sincerity, this beautiful book has to be one of my favorite autobiographies of a dedicated sports professional who has a special place in many equestrians’ hearts. If you love Eventing or competition riding and learning about competing at the highest level, then I grantee that you will love William Fox-Pitt’s account.
August 2, 2013
I could hardly put this book down, I found it very interesting. For the first week or so of owning it, I took it everywhere with me in case I had a moment to read a bit of it. Coincidentally, I took it in my bag to Chatsworth Horse Trials where I met Will and got him to sign it for me. I loved this book and would most definitely recommend it.
December 17, 2012
loved it, a great insight, but there must be lots more to come!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews