Aussie Double at Samur

“It is a great result for Australia,” commented Prue Barrett, Eventing National Performance Director. “It is particularly good to see that these two accomplished riders have highly talented up-and-coming horses.”

12-year-old Bendigo, a German bred gelding by Contender is owned by Peta and Edwin McAuley, who are also the owners of Clayton’s 2008 Olympic mount Ben Along Time. The McAuley’s live in Hong Kong and this was the first time they had the opportunity to watch Bendigo compete.

Fredericks and Bendigo scored 41.4 penalties in the Dressage to take the lead. Frenchman Aurélien Kahn was in second place on 44.00. However, 5.2 time faults on the cross-country and 8 show jump faults dropped Kahn to 7th overall, the highest placed of the French riders. Bendigo and Fredericks retained their lead with a clear cross-country round (adding 4.8 time penalties) followed by a faultless show jump round to win the title.

“Bendigo is a very charismatic horse who loves showing off which is one of his strengths as he always rises to the occasion,” said Fredericks.”“He was absolutely brilliant cross-country,” he added.               

This is Fredericks’ second Saumur victory; he also won the event in 2006 on Ben Along Time.

Fredericks and Bendigo have a strong three-day event performance record. In 2009 they won the Barroca d'Alva CCI1* (in Alcochete, Portugal) and the Lignière CCI2* (FRA). In 2011 they have been in excellent form, with a win in the Vale Sabroso CIC2* (POR) followed by 2nd place in the Barroca d'Alva CIC3*.

“I will possibly take him to Pau for the four star at the end of the year. The plan for next year is to have him in top form ready for the Olympics,” explained Fredericks, who has a strong team of horses heading towards next year’s Olympic Games.

Bendigo is the second horse he has qualified for the London Games after Be My Guest's great performance in Kentucky CCI4* in April. Fredericks will take Dunges Laurent Rose to Luhmuhlen CCI4* in Germany in a couple of weeks for her qualifying run and he hopes to continue his good form with her. He also has a very consistent performer in Brookleigh who despite having his first ever cross-country fault in Saumur, is a horse Frederick’s rates very highly.

Fellow Australian, Bill Levett and One Too Many NJ were in third place following the Dressage. A clear and quick cross-country round (adding just 2.2 time faults) moved them into 2nd place.  The pair also jumped a clear show jump round – to retain their position. One too Many NJ, owned by Gerry and Mary Kemp (GBR), is a 9-year-old bay Irish bred gelding by Chacoa. Levett and One too Many NJ have consistently placed in CIC3*classes, most recently placing 4th at Burnham Market CIC3* (GBR) in April.

Great Britain’s Piggy French finished third riding DHI Topper.

Other Australian’s taking part at Saumur were Brook Staples, who finished a creditable 14th on the 11-year-old Tover, Sam Griffiths finished 18th on Danaan Prince, Clayton Fredericks also rode Brookleigh – placing 10th after Dressage but they had some trouble on cross-country and Brookleigh was withdrawn before the show jumping. Matt Ryan had two horses in the class, one of which he retired on course and the other was eliminated.

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