Clayton Fredericks in hospital but feeling “fine” after fall

Clayton Fredericks is recovering in hospital following a fall on the cross-country at Saumur CCI*** in France on Saturday.

The Australian event rider was riding Be My Guest (“Lottie”) when the accident happened.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance for tests, then was moved to another hospital at Angers and stayed in overnight for observation.

Clayton took to his Facebook page to reassure friends and fans who were worried about him.

“I’m absolutely fine, frustrated to be lying here in hospital,” he said.

“It is just cautionary as it appears Lottie stepped right on my stomach.

“I will be scanned in a few days and hopefully on my way back and to London [Olympics] preparations!” he added.

Clayton’s wife, Lucinda, who was competing at Little Downham, Cambs at the weekend posted on their website:

“He needs a few quiet days and hopefully will come home early next week.”

“Lottie is ok, too,” she added.

Fellow Australian Christopher Burton impressed the Olympic selectors with a 1-2 at Saumur. He won with the less experienced of his two horses, Haruzac, while Holstein Park Leilani was second.

New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson was third with Viscount George, while Mark Todd qualified his second string, NZB Grass Valley for the Olympics with a seventh place finish. His top horse, last year’s Badminton winner NZB Land Vision was ruled out of the Games with the recurrence of an old tendon injury earlier this month.

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