HUSBAND and wife duo Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks took three horses into the top 10 at the Fontainebleau international event in France, the first leg of the new FEI Nations Cup.
The Little Cheverell-based, who were both on the Australian team that won silver at the 2008 Olympics, described the event as “a good day for Team Fredericks”.
Clayton fared best, finishing third on Bendigo, who moved up two places after dressage thanks to faultless cross country and show jumping rounds.
“Clear is clear and I am very pleased,” he said. “It takes constant work to get to this level and it’s nice when it goes right. We are working towards the Olympics and this was good preparation.”
The 44 year old was also eighth on another Olympic prospect, Dunges Laurent Rose, with fifth place slipping away when two fences fell in the final show jumping phase.
“Rosie was also on very good form and I was really impressed with her in France,” he added.
Lucinda, also 44, secured sixth spot on her own 10 year old Flying Finish, who again jumped clear in the cross country and show jumping phases.
The three star international was the first leg in the inaugural FEI Nations Cup, an eventing team competition that will run at various venues through the season.
The team title went to Germany after Australia’s chance of success slipped way when Lacock-based Wendy Schaeffer suffered an unlucky fall cross country.
Schaeffer, who represented Australia at the Atlanta Olympics when she was just 21, is currently based with the Doel family while she vies for another Olympic place, was riding Koyuna Sun Dancer.
Clayton Fredericks rounded off a great event with fourth in the CIC*, the first step on the international ladder, riding Mr Sydney Rocks.
His next major challenge will be the Rolex Kentucky three-day event in America (April 26-29), one of a handful of top four-star events to be held worldwide.
Fredericks has entered Edwin and Peta McAuley’s horse Ben Along Time, his 2008 Olympic partner who won the Kentucky title five years ago.
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