William Fox-Pitt Symposium
William Fox-Pitt Eventing Symposium
November 4-5, 2017, Alliant Energy Center, Madison WI
Updated 4/1817
Please use these QuickLinks to navigate through this page:
- William Fox-Pitt
- Venue
- Symposium Format
- Sponsorship Information
- Auditor Information
- Rider Information
- Hotel Information
- Voluteer Information
Please visit our Forms page for all forms associated with this Symposium!
William Fox-Pitt
Born in 1969 and having ridden from a young age, William Fox-Pitt started eventing at the age of 15. Encouraged by his parents, both of whom completed Badminton and Burghley, he represented Britain throughout his teens, winning individual Silver at the Junior Europeans in 1987, Young Rider Team Gold medals in successive European Championships in 1988 and 1989 and completing Badminton himself at the age of 20. His first Burghley win five years later established him as a regular on the senior British Team and guaranteed him a ticket to the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
Mr. Fox-Pitt was the first British rider to become eventing’s World No 1, a distinction he achieved in 2002, 2009, 2010 and again in 2014. He has represented his country consistently over the past 20 years, winning team Silver at the 2012 London Olympics, team Silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics, team Bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, team Silver and Individual Bronze at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, Individual Bronze at the 2013 European Championships in Malmo, team Gold and Individual Silver at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, team Silver at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, and team Bronze at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez. He has won seven team Gold medals at the European Championships and has been the British No 1 eleven times.
He is the only rider to have won five out of the six CCI****’s worldwide having won Burghley (1994, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011), Badminton (2004 & 2015), Luhmuhlen (2008), Rolex Kentucky (2010, 2012, 2014) and Pau (2011, 2013). He has won the HSBC FEI Classics, a series linking the top six Three-Day Events in the world, four times (2008, 2010, 2012 and again in 2014), and finished second in 2011.
In 2011 Mr. Fox-Pitt became the first rider to win a record six Burghley titles (on six different horses) and became one of the first riders to ever win a CCI*, CCI** and CCI*** at the same event on the same day -- a feat achieved at Tattersalls, Ireland.
Mr. Fox-Pitt has won an unprecedented 14 CCI****'s, 50 CCI three-day events and 21 CIC one-day events. His achievements in the sport make him one of the most successful British event riders of all time.
Images and information courtesy of Fox-Pitt Eventing
Venue
The William Fox-Pitt Symposium will be held in Madison Wisconsin at the Alliant Energy Center, in the New Holland Pavilion One. The Alliant Energy Center is home to one of the top three horse fairs in the country (Midwest Horse Fair held annually the third weekend in April), so it is well-equipped to handle the activities and expected crowd for this event.
Pavilion One is 90,000 square feet and offers restrooms, shower facilities, covered & heated wash bay, and on-site concessions.
Free basic Wi-Fi will be available to the public, with the option to purchase a daily pass for an upgrade to faster Wi-Fi, at a very nominal fee.
We will be offering a large vendor area for vendors and sponsors who purchase booths! There is ample parking for all auditors, sponsors, vendors, and riders!
Symposium Format
Auditor check in prior to 9am. Please arrive early due to the large volume of auditors expected. Bleacher seating will be first-come, first-served. Breakfast and refreshments will be available for purchase at the on-site concessions!
Saturday
9 - Introduction
9:15 - Introduction to Dressage Concepts for the Young Event Horse: Beginner Novice & Novice Horse
10:15 - Dressage for Training and Prelim
11:15 - Dressage for Intermediate and Advanced
12:15 – Lunch Break
1:15 – Short Q&A
1:30 - Gridwork for the Young Horse (Beginner Novice/Novice)
2:45 - Gridwork for Training/Prelim
4-5:15 - Gridwork for Intermediate/Advanced
Sunday
9 – Discussion
9:15 – Young Event Horse (Beginner Novice & Novice Horse) Show Jumping Coursework
10:15 - Show Jumping for Training and Prelim
11:15 - Show Jumping for Intermediate and Advanced
12:15 – Lunch Break
1:15 – Short Q&A
1:30 – Young Horse (Beginner Novice/Novice) cross country (NOTE - cross country will primarily focus on how to train for cross country in an arena, since we will not have access to a cross country course)
2:45 – Training/Prelim Cross Country
4:00-5:15 – Intermediate/Advanced Cross Country
Sponsorship Information
This symposium and trade fair at the Alliant Energy Center’s New Holland Pavilion in Madison, WI are expected to attract more than 300 attendees and generate national publicity not only for WDCTA, but for sponsors and vendors. The symposium will be promoted through print and online advertising, public relation activities and social media. WDCTA has experience hosting events of this magnitude with other Olympians, drawing participants from surrounding states and Canada.
Sponsorhip Options:
Platinum - $2500
- Double Vendor booth space (10 x 20')
- 2 large (exceeds 3' in height or width) company banners hung in arena
- Full-page advertisement in event program (inside front or back cover -- first come/first choice)
- Full-page advertisment in 12 issues of WDCTA's eQuester monthly newsletter
- Banner ad on WDCTA website for 2018
- Sponsorship recognition in program listing
- Pre- and Post- event publicity in WDCTA newsletter, website, and social media
Gold - $1500
- Single Vendor booth space (10 x 10')
- 1 large (exceeds 3' in height or width) company banner hung in arena
- Half-page advertisement in event program (inside front or back cover -- first come/first choice)
- Half-page advertisment in 12 issues of WDCTA's eQuester monthly newsletter
- Banner ad on WDCTA website for 2018
- Sponsorship recognition in program listing
- Pre- and Post- event publicity in WDCTA newsletter, website, and social media
Silver - $1000
- Single Vendor booth space (10 x 10')
- 1 large (exceeds 3' in height or width) company banner hung in arena
- Quarter-page advertisement in event program (inside front or back cover -- first come/first choice)
- Quarter-page advertisment in 12 issues of WDCTA's eQuester monthly newsletter
- Banner ad on WDCTA website for 2018
- Sponsorship recognition in program listing
- Pre- and Post- event publicity in WDCTA newsletter, website, and social media
Bronze - $500
- 1 small (less than 3' in height or width) company banner hung in arena
- Business card advertisment in 12 issues of WDCTA's eQuester monthly newsletter
- Banner ad on WDCTA website for 2018
- Sponsorship recognition in program listing
- Pre- and Post- event publicity in WDCTA newsletter, website, and social media
Vendor Booth Only:
- Single Booth (10 x 10') - $250
- Double (10 x 20') - $500
Business Card Sponsorship - $100
- Business card advertisement in event program
Sponsorship Brochure - PDF 
Sponsorship Application Form - PDF
For questions about Sponsorships, please contact Cathy Wunderlich.
Auditor Information
Information will be posted soon, Watch our Website and our Facebook page for more details!
There is a strict limit on the number of auditors we can accept as seating is limited. Please get your auditing application in as soon as possible to ensure your entry. Once our capacity has filled, we will accept a wait-list but cannot guarantee any persons wait-listed an entry.
Cost for Audtors:
Early Bird Registration for WDCTA Members:
- $100/2 days
- $60/day
Early Bird Registration for Non-WDCTA Members:
- $150/2 days
- $85/day
Lunch is not provided, however the Alliant Energy Center will have a concession stand open in Pavillion One, conveniently located next to Auditor Registration. There will be many healthy and delicous food options available throughout the symposium. Be sure to try Wisconsin's famous cheese curds!
- Auditor Brochure - PDF
- Auditor Registration & waiver - PDF
- List of Riders and Alternates - Coming Fall 2017
- Weekend Schedule - Coming Fall 2017
Questions about auditing should be directed to: Denise Sobering
Rider Information
The opening date for Rider Applications is July 15, 2017. Applications close on September 1, 2017.
Riders should be comfortable being instructed in front of a large audience, as up to 300 auditors may be in attendance. If riders are not selected to ride, we hope that you will join us by auditing!
Complete applications & videos must be received by Jessica Smith via the online application no earlier than the opening date, and on or before September 1 in order to be considered. Applications and videos are not reviewed until after the deadline submission, so there is no advantage for early applications. We will notify all applicants upon receipt of their entry AND as soon as the selection process is completed, no later than October 1. We will not publish or release the names of applicants who are not selected.
Payment must be sent with the application (via USPS), along with the signed liability waiver. Note: Rider fee does NOT include horse owners OR grooms entry. Individuals associated with the riders must pay the published auditing fees. As we have very limited auditing, do not wait to sign them up to audit, or there may not be room for them.
Payment will be processed within 10 days of selection. Should checks not be good, the rider will assumed to have cancelled and the first alternate will be selected to take his/her place. There is a $50 return check fee.
Riders must ride the horse listed on the application & video. Riders may apply with more than one horse. If a sponsor provides saddle pads for the demo riders, they must be used at the symposium. Riders must wear tall riding boots and an ASTM/SEI approved helmet at all times while mounted.
Riders who need to cancel after their participation has been confirmed should notify Jessica Smith as soon as possible. Riders cancelling will receive a refund if a replacement rider can be found, minus a $25 processing fee. If no replacement is available from the applications, the rider will not receive a refund unless a medical or veterinary emergency can be verified.
Cost for Riders:
- WDCTA Members: $600
- Non-WDCTA Members: $650
- Reserve Riders: $100, with remaining balance due if selected to ride
Riding fee includes 2 rides each day, 1 stall, and 1 tack stall.
For Rider questions, contact Jessica Smith
Hotel Information
Hotels are expected to book fast due to other events in Madison. Call to reserve your room(s) early!
Blocks of hotel rooms are held for symposium attendees at the following hotels:
AmericInn Hotel & Suites Madison South
101 W Broadway, Monona WI 53716
800-634-3444
Distance from Alliant Energy Center: 3 miles
Amenities: Free Breakfast and Free WiFi
Mention WDCTA for Special Rate: $95 Plus Taxes
Comfort Inn Madison - Downtown
722 John Nolen Drive, Madison WI 53713
844-361-1723
Distance from Alliant Energy Center: 1/4 mile
Amenities: Free Breakfast and Free WiFi
Mention WDCTA for Special Rate: $124 plus taxes for one person, $10 extra for each additional guest
For questions regarding area Hotels, contact Diane Brault.
Volunteering
Volunteers will be necessary both days of the symposium!
For questions on volunteering, contact: Lija Siltumens
As a member of WDCTA, I may choose to volunteer for Association responsibilities or activities. I expressly agree that my services are being provided as a volunteer and that I am not an employee of the Wisconsin Dressage & Combined Training Association. I am neither entitled to nor expect any present or future salary, wages, or other benefits for these volunteer services.
Additional information will be updated through 2017!
