November 2008

Clayton and Lucinda cemented their place in the Australian Olympic Team after stunning performances at Barbury Castle over the weekend (Photos in Gallery section).

 

Barbury is known as the largest CIC3*** with 120 entries and was the venue for most teams' final trials before heading off to the Olympics in Hong Kong in August. The Marlborough Downs was the stunning backdrop to a fantastic weekends eventing.

 

Lucinda, scored an amazing 30 penalties lead the dressage from Thursday with Clayton close behind on 32. Team Fredericks held the lead, which was highly commendable, considering the class of riders and horses to follow. Alex scored two great tests also on Chico 42.9 and Jeans 48.3.

 

Sunday saw a thrilling showjumping in reverse order where many combinations failed at fence four (a double combination on the raised bank, near the sponsors marquee). Alex had trouble there on Jeans, but admitted getting him the wrong stride, so not making the same mistake twice, jumped a superb clear on Chico.

 

Clayton showed he and Ben were back to there normal form by producing a fantastic clear.

 

As she entered the ring, Lucinda joked with Clayton calling him a "Cheeky Bugger" and went on to steer Brit round for another fantastic clear to many cheers from the crowd.

 

Both then faced the agonising wait as the cross country also ran in reverse order and finally at 4.20pm we got to see the first of Team Fredericks in action on the cross country.

 

Alex rode two great clear cross countries and again caught the attention of many spectators that could not believe the improvement in Alex's riding skills and how he looked at home with the world's professionals.

 

Ben was absolutely fighting to go and looking in perfect fitness he produced an easy clear, although used more time than Clayton would have liked. “This was the last opportunity for me to play with bitting, I actually tried to go back a notch to something a little softer - but he fought too much, so I will stick with the normal for now. It's harder to go fast when they are fighting and today I was not going to take any risks, so I made sure we got to the right spot to clear all the fences, but unfortunately this cost me some time."

 

Brit then followed with a stunning round with just 17.2 time penalties to win the big event and add another top class competition to her ever increasing list. Cinda said, "Brit was just fab today - she ran fast and jumped so well. It has been a little wait for me with all that has happened recently. I am so pleased with her and to get such a good run prior to Hong Kong gives me great confidence for the Olympics."