Rule Britannia
Lucinda Fredericks and the little mare Headley Britannia pulled off the dream result – winning The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials after a clear round in the show jumping. The 15.3hh chestnut mare – the first mare to win at Burghley for 33 years – simply pinged over the fences leaving the poles in their cups to give Lucinda her ultimate result. “It has all happened for me this week,” said Lucinda. “I was so disappointed not to compete at WEG (The World Equestrian Games) and I never really believed this could happen but she has been a star and I want to say thank you to everyone who has been a believer in this little horse.” ‘Brit is not the first mare Lucinda has ridden – others include Lovell Lass and Azupa Gazelle both also chestnut. “I’ve had lots of chestnut mares they need a plug and this is the ideal opportunity,” said Lucinda.
An influential show jumping phase over Di Boddy’s course provided just seven clear rounds throughout the day dashing hopes for some and made dreams come true for others. After Lucinda’s clear Andrew could only afford one down and sadly for the two-day leader his dream was not to be after Moon Fleet put three poles on the floor. The combination dropped to second place and the second Rolex Grand Slam awaits another year. “I never had the Grand Slam so I never lost it – I came within 30seconds of a Grand Slam before I had the second rail down, said Andrew, “And if this is the worst day of my life it can’t be that bad.” Andrew and Mr Pracatan also claimed three rails and the combination finished in fifth place. “Mr Pracatan tried so hard and I am happy with fifth – it is still a good result to have two horses in the top six.”
Burghley first timer Shane Rose provided Australia with the one, two, three dream result. Shane’s Australian bred Thoroughbred All Luck lived up to his name to keep a clean sheet. “By nature are competitive and that helps to keep us out in front,” said Shane who was also disappointed in Aachen when All Luck fell at the first water. “That was his first ever cross country mistake and it was going to be difficult to know if it had affected his confidence – Burghley is a very big course if everything is not right.”
Twenty five year old former British Junior and Young Rider team member Cressida Clague-Reading was another to gain a dream result after a clear round meant she finished as the highest placed British rider. Cressida who two years ago gained the prize as the best ‘under 25’ rider, finished in fourth place with her own 11 year old British bred Carousel
Quest who was competing at his first four star event. “We have always known he had it in him – as I have had him since he was a four year old. But there no pressure here and we have just made our way up the leaderboard and thrilled to do so well with him.”