Headley Britannia to miss Express Eventing opener

Headley Britannia will miss the first round of the new Express Eventing series as she has thrown a splint, says owner and rider Lucinda Fredericks.

Express Eventing reported on Friday (19 October) that the popular chestnut mare, who retired from top-level eventing earlier this year — would take part in the first round of the 2012-13 series at HorseWorld Live! in London on 17 November.

But Brit’s fans will have to wait until later in the season of the revamped indoor eventing competition next year to see her in action, Lucinda told H&H.

“How she can get a splint at 19 I don’t know,” said Lucinda. “She is perfectly fine but it’s a bit warm.

“It appeared two weeks ago and we are icing it, but she is not one to miss two weeks’ work then go to an event — I wouldn’t do that to her.”

Lucinda hopes to ride Brit in later rounds of the contest.

Brit was the first mare to win Burghley in 33 years when she took the four-star event in 2006 and the first mare in 53 years to win Badminton, in 2007.

She remains the holder of the lowest event finishing score at 4-star level, on 32.3 penalties, which she achieved in Kentucky in 2009.

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