Click on archive news to the left to see news items before October 2009.
"Best Ever Day" for Team Freds....
The recent South of England event was "a fantastic day for Team Fredericks
Clayton, riding The Frog was first in the Advanced Intermediate event with a score of 46.0 and also first on Bendigo in the Combined Training section.
Lucinda on Headley Britannia was fourth in the Advanced Intermediate with a score of 49.6.
Lucinda on The Navigator came first in the Intermediate section I with a score of 33.9 while Clayton came second with FBW Fandango, scoring 36.10. Clayton came first in the Intermediate section J on Walterstown Don, scoring 41.4. Prada, riddden by Lucinda, took 12th place in the Open Intermediate with a score of 51.2.
Some pictures and video from the event can be seen on our Facebook page - please note they are amateur shots only!
Gatcombe (1) Results
Results from the Land Rover Gatcombe Park Horse Trials:
Clayton came second in both the Open and Intermediate Novice Events , on Brookton in the ON with a score of 34.80 and on Walterstown Don in the IN scoring 30.30 .
Riviera was sixth in the Novice with a score of 36.40 , and The Frog was in 27th position in the Advanced Intermediate event with a score of 67.40.
Lucinda withdrew Prada following the dressage and her final score was 26.70.
She told us: "Prada was only planning to do the dressage as she already ran on Thursday and needed an extra practice test before heading to the 2star CCi at Compeigne in a weeks time. Brit was sulking at home having had to give up her spot to Prada! ps They remain friends!"
The Land Rover Gatcombe Horse Trials are held on HRH The Princess Royal’s farmland, near Stroud.
Great Witchingham Results
Lucinda on Prada came second in the Intermediate class and third and fifth on Flying Finish and Nysa De Petra respectively in the International Novice.
The appropriately-named Flying Finish flies over this fence at Gt. Witchingham ...
TF may compete at WEG
Lucinda and Headley Brittannia will be heading for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in September if all goes well, she told listeners to the World International Eventing Radio show.
Lucinda, co-hosting the show, said unfortunately Team Fredericks
could not be in the US in April. "We came to the April event in 2009 and had really the best time ever" she added.
She paid tribute to British Eventing and said it was "the ultimate place to be".
"We have fantastic owners, and some very hard working girls and boys on our team" she added.
A podcast of the full radio show can be heard here.
Team Fredericks
has a very full event schedule for the upcoming season and will be competing at all the major four-star events, including Badminton, Burghley and the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Watch this space for full details.
Filming underway for new TV series
Filming for the new series of Team Fredericks
is well under way. The programmes promise to be be information rich and full of top tips.
Whether you are an aspiring event rider or simply wanting to improve your riding skills, the new show will be must-watch television.
Lucinda and Clayton will be giving an insight into what it takes to become a successful rider, and sharing their expertise and knowledge, The 12 part series is for all riders - regardless of age, level or ability. Keep watching this space for more information.
King of the Schloss
For the past ten years Clayton has been running clinics at Schloss Sindlingen - a castle in southern Germany. For the first time, the film crew went with him. Over the three days it became clear his approach to teaching is fun, firm and effective. Each day the pupils were seeing changes in how they can work together with their horse to improve their results - clearly enjoying the experience of working with one of the best riders in the world.
Clayton worked with adults as well as children, including three generations of one family!!
The only criticism from those taking part was - they want more clinics with Clayton...
The saying of the weekend was "riding should not be wrestling" this will definitely live with all those who took part forever and a day!!
Brookleigh Wins two-star at Barocca
Clayton has won the CCI 2* event at Barocca on Brookleigh, with a final very respectable score of 44.5. after a clear round with two rails in hand in the showjumping. Brookleigh -stable name Tadpole is eight years old and owned by Nikki Brooks. See video highlights.
M R Sydney Rocks came third in the CCI 1* on 45.8 after two time faults, while Fandango dropped two places on the day to finish in 16th place on a score of 54.6."Syd" who will be six in May is co-owned with Lady Colman, Tim and Alice Page. Video highlights
In the CIC 3* Bendigo retained tenth place with two fences down to leave him on a final score of 62.8. Eleven year old "Charlie" is owned by Edwin and Peta McAuley. Video of Bendigo at Barocca.
FBW Fandango, owned by Fritz Papa and Eckart Siewert. Barocca video here.
Videos from the event are on YouTube.
Final scores are here.
Clayton has posted some pics from Barocca on Facebook
Tweseldown report
From Nicole Pearson:
"It was freezing there!!! Brit was her usual enthusiastic, exuberant self and jumped an immaculate double clear. Cinda just tried to take her a bit steady keeping in mind the long season ahead which will hopefully finish up at the WEG in Kentucky.
Prada was competing for the first time in 18 months and Cinda said she felt amazing. She was very excited to be out and about again and grew to about 18 hands! A slightly bubbly dressage kept her out of the placings.
Cinda was very pleased with Flying Finish who did a good dressage and had just one rail down and a nice flowing clear round the cross country for a good start to his new career. Owner Donald Reid braved the freezing temperatures to come and watch his new horse and was a frequent customer at Charlie's coffee van!After a great dressage test, Cinda had high hopes for Brookton but he managed to overreach in the showjumping collecting ring and after a disappointing round, he was too sore to run cross country so Cinda withdrew him. Hopefully he will recover in time to go to Aldon next week.
Sally and Altissimas Palace have been working hard over the winter and this paid off with a good dressage test and a clear round in the showjumping but the mare's excitement at being out again just got to be too much and she was far too strong cross country and Sally wisely pulled her up.
Emz and Sandalford also had a solid start with their usual good dressage, just two rails down in the showjumping and a steady clear across the country to set them up for their Intermediate run at Aldon next week.
Nicole was very happy with her day as it was the first serious step towards qualifying for the Asian Games in November.
The Navigator did a very nice dressage test and had a lovely double clear. His owner Frances Smart was there to support as usual and Nicole was delighted for her to see the horse go so well. Time faults across country kept them out of the placings but speed has never been Nicole's thing and that is something to work on!
Clayton Welcomes new FEI format
March 5 - The HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing, which kicks off at Tallahassee in Florida (USA) this weekend is to adopt an improved and exciting new format for 2010, say organisers.
Clayton, a former dual FEI World Cup™ Eventing Champion, is quioted in the FEI release as welcoming the generous financial arrangements, which represents some of the highest available prize-money at this, three-star, level of the sport.
He said: “This is going to give a real chance of recognition to a consistent combination, wherever they are in the world, and, just as importantly, it’s going to add extra prestige to individual events, which can only be healthy.”
The full release can be seen here.
Nice kebab ....
Clayton in relaxed mode during the recent Texas clinics.There are some great photographs of the trip on the Facebook page of Walter Workman Photography.
Perhaps not a Badminton Winner....
Lucinda is famous for her elegant steeds, but during Team Frederick's recent USA teaching trip she got to ride one which, to be fair, isn't likely to be a Badminton winner. See our Facebook page for the full picture.
Lucinda and Little Brit's foal, Brittania's Mail are on the cover of "Horse and Hound" magazine! Find out more about our Foal Syndicate.
February: Clayton and Lucinda had some great training sessions with the Texan young riders and taught them to face their fears on the cross-country course.
"It's important you sit up and behind the horse in front of fences and so we spent some time training to get the riders to sit back - otherwise if the horse hesitates or trips they could be right out the front door" said Clayton."Some of the riders were nervous because you couldn't see the drop ahead, even more so when I went over and went down on my knees so they could only see my head and shoulders - their jaws dropped when they realised I was just having fun, and the drop was only a couple of feet.
"We got the opportunity in a safe way to show them what cross-country is all about - facing the fear of what you are going to do with good technique and training so as to make it all achieveable."
Lucinda and Clayton took part in the USEA Eventing Clinic and North Texas Eventing Association’s Saturday Evening Extravaganza. They moved on to Aiken, South Carolina for a three day clinic, with individual Dressage Show Jumping or Cross Country lessons. 
American rider Holly Payne, who competed at Blenheim this year, hosted clinics with Clayton and Lucinda at the event. Fredericks talk horses
Clayton and Lucinda were interviewed recently on the future of eventing for the Australian Sport FM radio station programme "Talking Horses". A link to the podcast is on our Facebook page.
Big Safety Improvement Needed
We need to aim for a 20 per cent decrease in falls during eventing at four-star level in the next three years.
That's the bottom line of a new eventing risk-management policy and action plan, revealed by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).Event riders, officials, designers and organisers from 22 nations convened in Malmö, Sweden, last weekend (16-17 January) for the third annual FEI eventing safety meeting.
Clayton, who is the riders' representative on the eventing committee, told 'Horse and Hound' he had been interested in the developments in "deformable" — or breakable — jumps. "We can't stop riders falling off, but we need to be able to avoid a catastrophe when it all goes wrong," he added. For the full story, see the latest Horse and Hound or click here for the online version.
Lucinda is Sports Star of the Year
A packed house at Perth, Western Australia heard Lucinda was Awarded Equestrian Western Australia’s Sports Star of the Year for 2009.More than 300 people - including Clayton's Mum Pauline - were at the annual awards night held at the Golden Nugget Room at Perth's Gloster Park.
Lucinda, at home in the UK, could not attend, but family members accepted the award , a shield, clock and certificate , on her behalf. Said Pauline: "it was great to see so many old friends - we couldn’t believe it!". Frozen disaster averted thanks to treadmill...
Eventing has been counting the cost of the recent cold snap, but Team Fredericks, despite being based on chilly Salisbury Plain, have coped fine — thanks to an equine 'Victory' treadmill sponsored by Mitavite Asia acquired in December.
"It would have been a complete disaster without it," said Clayton. "It's especially useful for the four I'm taking to Barroca ino Portugal in March"From Aussie Sun to Blizzards!
Their trip included clinics in Western Australia but gave the family the chance to take a well-earned break in the warm sunshine - and as this picture shows, horses were never too far away, even on the beach.
Riding has not been possible every day since they got home, so the Team Fredericks champion horses have taken to the treadmill to get vital exercise.
Said Clayton: "What a godsend the treadmill is in this weather as it has meant that the horses have not missed out on work and fitness - although they have missed the schooling as we haven't been able to use the school in the last week because of the weather.
"Surprisingly I thought they would all be fresh etc but obviously the treadmill has worked them well because they felt relaxed and well worked and were not excitable at all" he added.
A Clinic Down Under...
Lucinda and Clayton were in in the heart of Western Australia's Swan Valley before Christmas when they led a riding clinic at the prestigious Brookleigh Equestrian Centre near Perth.
W.A.Y.E.R (West Australian Young Event Riders) is the brainchild of recognised eventing and dressage coach Pollyann Huntington. WAYER provides organised top-level coaching and clinic opportunities for committed competitors, mostly competing at Intro through Pre-Novice levels. Given the high level of intensive instruction, FEI riders and higher level horses also frequently take advantage of the clinics.
WAYER clinics are run over several days, the first two including flatwork and arena jumping and the third day an extended cross country session. Sessions also feature event preparation and craft, such as training for the ‘trot up’ at 3-Day events.
Brookleigh Equestrian Centre is owned by Nikki Brooks who also owns 'Brookleigh' - a horse Clayton competes (pictured left). The venue was described by Andrew Hoy, three times Gold Medallist for Australia, as "the finest equestrian training centre in the Southern Hemisphere"
Team Fredericks enjoy the Stuttgart Masters indoor cross country event.
18-22 November 2009
Clayton and Lucinda along with MLCM productions went to the Stuttgart Masters http://stuttgart-german-masters.de where they competed in the cross country event as well as filming for the forthcoming series two of Team Fredericks.
Speed was the order of the day. Clayton and Lucinda were very happy with their rounds as they were riding unfamiliar horses.
Fandango ridden by Clayton had a great ride to finish 7th, but a glance off at fence 8 put Lucinda out of the placings - "The course was a great testing, but not crazy big, it flowed and was thrilling for the sell out crowd," said Lucinda.
Speed was the order of the day. Clayton and Lucinda were very happy with their rounds as they were riding unfamiliar horses.
Fandango ridden by Clayton had a great ride to finish 7th, but a glance off at fence 8 put Lucinda out of the placings - "The course was a great testing, but not crazy big, it flowed and was thrilling for the sell out crowd," said Lucinda.
Edwin and Peta McAuley with Bendigo III win the prestigous Shearwater Owner Award
27 October 2009
Members of the Event Horse Owners’ Association (EHOA) gathered in central London to mark the end of the eventing season at its annual awards and dinner evening.
The Shearwater Award goes to the owner of the horse that is registered at the beginning of the season as Grade 3 or 4 (0-21 points) and gains the most points in the season.
Bendigo III had a remarkable season gaining 102 points. Ridden by Clayton (who collected the award), and owned by Edwin and Peta McAuley.
The award was presented by Jeremy Lawton, Managing Director of Shearwater Insurance.
Clayton bought Bendigo III from Germany last year to replace Nullabor, the horse he sadly lost at Saumur in 2008.
This was the 10-year-old gelding’s first season
eventing, although he had done a little dressage and show jumping before. “I fell in love with him straight away,” says Clayton. “He seemed an ideal candidate for eventing as he was a good mover and fairly well educated. Although I’d normally look at younger horses, my long-standing owners, the McAuleys, didn’t want to start from scratch with a young horse after Nullabor, so we were looking for something up and coming."
“Bendigo is a fairly amenable horse, although cross-country really switches him on – now that he knows, at a competition that XC follows dressage, he’s a changed animal.”
Clayton describes Edwin and Peta McAuley as “The ultimate owners”, saying their approach to the sport has allowed him to flourish - “They stand back and let me get on with producing the horses in the best way I can.”
Clayton bought Bendigo III from Germany last year to replace Nullabor, the horse he sadly lost at Saumur in 2008.
This was the 10-year-old gelding’s first season
eventing, although he had done a little dressage and show jumping before. “I fell in love with him straight away,” says Clayton. “He seemed an ideal candidate for eventing as he was a good mover and fairly well educated. Although I’d normally look at younger horses, my long-standing owners, the McAuleys, didn’t want to start from scratch with a young horse after Nullabor, so we were looking for something up and coming."
“Bendigo is a fairly amenable horse, although cross-country really switches him on – now that he knows, at a competition that XC follows dressage, he’s a changed animal.”
Clayton describes Edwin and Peta McAuley as “The ultimate owners”, saying their approach to the sport has allowed him to flourish - “They stand back and let me get on with producing the horses in the best way I can.”
Clayton and MR Sydney Rocks do it again! This time at Tweseldown
16 October 2009
Clayton and Syd had another fantastic result at Tweseldown winning the novice section with a score of 35.5. MR Sydney Rocks once again performed magnificently and is becoming a real star.
It was a great day for Team Fredericks with The Navigator ridden by Lucinda taking 4th Place in the Intermediates and a score of 42.4.
Headley Britannia and Lucinda scored a respectable 51.6 giving her 9th Place. Lucinda said "she enjoyed the ride but didn't want to push Brit". Lucinda was running second after the dressage and with a double clear round, helped make it an enjoyable event.
Clayton was also riding Riviera who again managed a top tenth placing with a score of 59.2. All in all another great day for Team Fredericks.
Clayton was also riding Riviera who again managed a top tenth placing with a score of 59.2. All in all another great day for Team Fredericks.
Clayton Wins at Lignieres La Celle Conde, France
6 October 2009
Clayton and Bendigo have won the CCI** at Lignieres.
Clayton and the ten-year-old Bendigo, owned by Edwin and Peta McAuley, took first place with an amazing double clear, finishing on their dressage score of 42.4.
Clayton said "He was absolutely superb and a joy to ride, an exceptional result which I thoroughly enjoyed. Lignieres is a great venue and the organisers have done a fantastic job. This event is going to be one of the major dates in the European calendar with the amount of work they have put into it".
No less than 117 riders and 186 horses from twelve countries took part in the event. Well-known riders competing included Zara Phillips (16th) and Nicolas Touzaint of France (35th). Full results and information about the competition can be seen on the official website.Clayton and Nysa de Petra, owned by John & Elizabeth Allsop, completed the CIC* but were not in the placings.
Lucinda placed third at Dauntsey Park
2 October 2009
Lucinda and The Assassin were placed third in the event. They achieved a superb dressage penalty mark of 25.2, which put them in first place, followed by a double-clear show jumping and cross country except for a 8.4 time fault, placing them overall third.The Dauntsey Park Horse Trials, near Malmesbury in Wiltshire is organised by the Sturgis family, and was re-launched last year after the Charlton Park Horse Trials finished in October 2007, and fills what would have been a gap in the eventing calendar.
Purston Manor (2) - Results
16th September 2009
Team Fredericks had super results at Purston Manor (2). in Northamptonshire in Mid-September.
Lucinda and Jiggalong finished first in the Open Novice with a dressage mark of 26.2, SJ clear and only 1.2 time faults during XC, finishing on an unbelievable 27.4.
Clayton on MR Sidney Rocks was third in the Novice section with a dressage mark of 29.5, SJ clear and 4.0 time faults during XC, finishing on 33.5.
In the Intermediate Novice, Lucinda and The Navigator came fifth with a dressage mark of 33.2, clear SJ and clear XC, finishing on 37.2.
Click on archive news to the left to see news items before October 2009.
Team Fredericks held their first-ever Fold-A-Cart race with riders and their grooms competing against each other. The winning team took home a Fold-A-Cart. Click on the Gallery to see who won!