William Fox-Pitt knows that Saturday's cross-country will provide a stern test for Fernhill Pimms but was delighted as the pair matched the efforts of Michael Jung to go joint top at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. 
It is the first taste of four-star action for Fernhill Pimms but the duo looked right at home on the final day of the dressage as they scored 34.2 to match Jung's efforts aboard Fischerrocana FST.
The three-time Olympic medalist has plenty of Burghley experience to call on having won the event on six occasions.
But he knows it is still early days and expect to learn a lot about his horse as he prepares to take on Saturday's cross-country.
“It's a good start of course there's a lot to do out there tomorrow but it is definitely a good start and a place to build from,” said the Hampstead rider.
“I'm delighted with that to be honest with you because it's the first time at four star for that horse and it's a great atmosphere in there and he went his best.
“That's all I can say really because he couldn't have gone any  better than that, he's never done that four star test in a competition so I think it bodes well.
“I've walked the course a few times and it is quite a brave course and it's going to be tough there is a lot to jump and you have to be up for it.
“I will find out a lot about my horse tomorrow but I believe he is mentally and physcially ready even though he has never seen anything like that.
“I think naturally to go into cross-country after a good test is where I want to be and he's a good horse so if he goes well then it would be nice to think that he would be up there.”
It is set to be a busy week for Fox-Pitt as he will immediately turn hit attentions to the European Championships at the conclusion of proceedings in Lincolnshire. 
But he is hoping that a strong dressage has set the tone for things to come and is excited about what lies ahead.
“He has just got a great attitude and a lovely presence and he just says here I am I'm ready to go and he's off,” he added.
“I'm hoping that's not going to be the easy bit and the next two days will be just as easy as that but I'm not sure they are.
“He's scored in the 30s consistently but to be in the low 30s in your first four star is very exciting and that might be one of the best scores I've had at four-star so I hope that sets the tone for next week at the Europeans.
“But it's a big day and I am hoping he goes through the flags and we come back but it would be lovely to go clear.”
The multi-award winning Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (3rd-6th September) has been established as a major international equestrian and social event in the Autumn Sporting Calendar for over 50 years. For more information visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk