Monday, May 23, 2011

Eventing: Saumur: Australian Eventers dominate in France

Australian riders finished first and second at the Saumur CCI3*, France, over the weekend.
Clayton Fredericks and Bendigo led the field of 56 competitors (from 11 countries) from start to finish, whilst compatriot Bill Levett finished second on One too Many NJ.
“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 been able to make a trip 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 thus winning the title.

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*.

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 in the competition were Brook Staples, who finished 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.

For full results please see http://www.saumur.org/cci/actualites-listes-et-resultats-cci3-gb.html

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