Chris Burton leading Saumur CCI3* after Cross Country

Chris Burton and Holstein Park Leilani - heavy and consistent rain made the course even more challenging (photo: Jim Dunn/EA)

Chris Burton is leading the Australian charge on Saumur CCI3* and occupies positions one and two on the leaderboard after Cross Country.

Heavy and consistent rain made the course even more challenging and yesterday’s top placed Aussie, Clayton Fredericks, was unable to continue in the competition after he was taken to hospital for examination after falling from Be My Guest at the 15^th fence.

“He’s well and relaxing in the Angers hospital. He feels fine, a little pain but needs a few quiet days and will be scanned again before he comes home,” Clayton’s wife Lucinda wrote on the Team Fredericks website a short time ago.

Earlier, Burton and Haruzac were the first Australian combination round the course and they secured second position overall after completing it in a time of 9:28 seconds. Burton returned to the course a short while later on Holstein Park Leilani and went round in 9:26 seconds which put the pair in top spot at the end of the day.

Burton and Leilani’s time was the quickest around the course but the wet conditions naturally slowed the pace and saw every combination incur time penalties. The combination now has a one rail lead heading into tomorrow’s Jumping phase.

Bill Levett heads into tomorrow’s final bout in fourth place on One To Many NJ (54.00) and fifth place on Hippolyte (58.80). Paul Tapner is close by in sixth position with Kilronan (61.20) and 11^th position with Wickstead Didgeridoo (69.00).

Australian combinations are currently occupying the following positions:

1^st Chris Burton and Holstein Park Leilani (49.80)

2^nd Chris Burton and Haruzac (52.80)

4^th Bill Levett and One To Many NJ (54.00)

5^th Bill Levett and Hippolyte (58.80)

6^th Paul Tapner and Kilronan (61.20)

11^th Paul Tapner and Wickstead Didgeridoo (69.00)

With national selectors onsite, tomorrow’s Jumping phase will be one of the final opportunities for Australia’s overseas based Eventers to show selectors their form ahead of team selection for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

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