LITTLE Cheverell rider Clayton Fredericks’ chances of an Olympic place moved a step closer with a win at the Jardy CIC*** one-day international in France.

The 44-year-old, already an Olympic silver medallist, rerouted after the cancellation of Badminton, clinching victory on Bendigo III and third on 10-year-old Walterstown Don, with only fellow Aussie Bill Levett splitting the two horses.

A disappointing show jumping round dropped Fredericks’ third horse Be My Guest to 14th.

Bendigo, whose sixth place at the four-star Pau event last autumn brought him to the Olympic selectors’ attention, dominated with a 38.4 dressage score and faultless cross country for a clear lead, although two show jumps down allowed Levett to close.

Walterstown Don followed a similar trend, Fredericks admitting: “It was a pretty tough show jumping test – there weren’t many clears.

“It was a long track and very big. The faults didn’t really show how well both horses jumped.”

Fredericks and Levett go to the Saumur CCI3* (three-star, three-day international), in France next weekend where 2010 Badminton winner Inonothing and Paul Tapner, based in Highworth, will search for qualification for Australia’s Olympic team.

This weekend’s Chatsworth International in Derbyshire has put on four three star sections to accommodate as many riders as possible.

They include Membury-based junior European champion Laura Collett and Rayef. Collett also has Obos Cooley in the one-star international.

Andrew Nicholson, the Marlborough-based New Zealand veteran, runs three Badminton entries, Avebury, Mr Cruise Control and Shady Grey, in an advanced section, and Nereo and Tristar II in the CIC***.

Hodson rider Tom McEwen has rerouted Dry Old Party to the three star section, with Diesel running at Advanced level, and West Littleton’s Harry Meade is a three-star entry with Wild Lone.

Others include Dauntsey’s Beanie Sturgis on Lebowski, Pewsey’s Fiona Hobby, New Zealand double Olympic gold medallist Mark Todd and former world champion Zara Phillips.