ON SUNDAY, Lucinda Fredericks took ‘retired’ superstar Headley Britannia to contend the Express Eventing at the CLA Game Fair and came out on top, writes NICKI STORNG.

This specialist event was hotly contested, but Fredericks defended her title fiercely to win for the second consecutive year; made all the more remarkable by partnering a veteran, 20-year-old horse.

Fredericks was delighted with the mare, who gave a performance that belied her years. She reflected: “This is the culmination of the most incredible career for Headley Britannia (Brit) and I believe Brit is the best eventing mare that has ever been and ever will be.

“To be as versatile and sound still at age 20 proves Brit to be a true professional, I have been so lucky to have had her as the biggest part of my success throughout my career to date. It wasn’t that she won the competition at the weekend it was how she won it in pure style and was ahead of the competitors at every point of the competition.”

Brit’s offspring Little Britannia and Britannias Mail were also in action, with Fredericks completing the Novice at Aston-Le-Walls, but she withdrew both Advanced horses before the cross-country phase due to firm ground.

Last week also proved lucrative for Andrew Nicholson, who had multiple entries at both Dauntsey Park and Aston.

The world number one finished without adding penalties to his dressage score of 26.5 with Solon in the Novice at Dauntsey, securing his first win of the week, while he piloted Swallow Springs to fifth in the same class just five marks behind.

Kiwi teammate Sir Mark Todd picked up a new ride in Warner Robins, coming 11th in the gelding’s first completion from three attempts at Novice level. Both riders endeared themselves to the public when turning gatekeepers and stewarding at Dauntsey – a great advert for BE volunteering.

Todd said: “Volunteers are the sport, it could not survive without the hundreds who give their time every week to help make this sport what it is.

“I think all competitors should be made to help out at an event at some stage during the year.”

Nicholson’s eight rides at Aston all skipped round the cross-country course just adding time penalties, and all but one posted top-10 finishes. Qwanza and Calico Joe both comfortably won their Advanced sections with faultless jumping and sub-30 dressage tests.

Tom McEwen pulled off a great double, winning two BE100 sections at Dauntsey, both rides finishing on under 30. He had mixed fortunes at Aston where Donzello was unfortunately eliminated for accumulated refusals across the country, possibly a legacy of taking a tumble at Barbury.

Staff Des Champs fared better and incurred no jumping faults to place seventh, while Under 25 Bramham title-winner Diesel returned after a month off. McEwen entered Diesel HC (without competing) in the Intermediate, accruing plenty of time faults on the cross-country course – with firm ground and a Team GB European championships call-up this was no time to take unnecessary risks.

Paul Tapner experienced an up and down week that included a trip to hospital. He completed two Novice runs at Dauntsey including a double clear aboard Boston JRP for second place, before being kicked in the chin.

Unfortunately this meant withdrawal from the rest of the competition but, ever the professional, he was stitched up and back in the start box at Aston on Friday. Tapner’s efforts were rewarded with a couple of sixth places in the Advanced sections, as well as taking second in the eight and nine-year-old Advanced class with Indian Mill.