Leading event sire Jumbo has been put down at the age of 31. The extraordinarily successful stallion was graded Elite with Sport Horse Breeding (GB) and had competed up to advanced level eventing, before becoming one of Britain’s top sires.

By the renowned registered Irish Draught sire Skippy out of the showjumper Betty, who was by the thoroughbred Seven Bells, Jumbo was bred in Worcestershire by Irish Draught stalwart, the late Archie Smith-Maxwell. His owner Carolyn Bates of Grafham Stud bought him as a six-month-old weanling from Malvern sales.

He competed in eventing with Andrew Nicholson (pictured above) and as a seven-year-old won the young horse trophy at Le Lions D’Angers. The following year the pair completed Boekelo CCI3* in 15^th place. Jumbo went on to compete in showjumping with William Funnell and in affiliated dressage with Lizzie Murray — in 1997 the pair won the combined training championship at Blenheim – before retiring to concentrate on stud duties.

He has since sired many leading event horses including four-star winners and record breakers Headley Britannia (Lucinda Fredericks) — the only mare to win Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky — and Avebury (pictured below), winner of Burghley a record three times with Andrew Nicholson.

The success of his offspring means that Jumbo is the leading ‘all time sire’ with British Eventing (BE) as well as the BE leading ‘all time sire’ of competition mares. During his life he sired 45 advanced horses and currently has around 50 offspring affiliated with BE. These include Avebury, Allercombe Ellie (winner of the CCI3* at Tattersalls with Izzy Taylor last year, pictured below right) and Mr Chunky, a member of last year’s British Nations Cup team with Lucy Wiegersma.

Jumbo is also the top British-bred stallion in the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horse eventing sire rankings in sixth place. He has nine graded sons standing in the UK including Philanderer II, bred and owned by Carolyn, who is currently competing with Tim Cheffiings.

“Jumbo has been such a huge part of my life,” said Carolyn, who said a sad final farewell to him last month. “While I knew he was a cracking foal when I bought him, never did I ever imagine the enormous influence he would have on eventing. I have been privileged to own such a horse, stallion and gentleman — he was always the proudest but kindest of stallions.”

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Lucinda Fredericks tells H&H about her fondest memories of Headley Britannia after she had to be put down earlier this month following an accident cross-country schooling.

1. First triumph

Our first event together was an intermediate at Aldon in 2002. Brit jumped so big over the viaduct into the first water that I managed to dislocate my thumb. I blew on it and smacked it back in on her neck and carried on. After we finished I had to go straight to hospital to see if it was broken. It was pretty amazing that we won the event despite me spending the cross-country trying to reposition my thumb. It was pretty disgusting.

2. Fighting spirit

After I got her home from Luhmühlen in 2005 Brit looked horrendous. She had lost weight, gone dull and didn’t want to do a thing. The vet came out and we decided to get her to hospital straight away. Unfortunately it was the same day as Paul Tapner’s wedding. She was on death’s door for 3 weeks with a virus and the vets said it would take her at least 6 months to recover. When we got her home she went out in a field behind the house and I had to dress up in white suit to touch her. But within 2 weeks she was running up and down the filed like spring Lamb. 3 weeks later she was jumping around an advanced intermediate at Highclere. The vets were pretty adamant that it would take her months to recover but she always told us what she wanted. She was so tough.

3. Technical brilliance

Her dressage at the Olympics in 2008 was outstanding. She did her test on the first morning of the first day and she led the dressage beating some incredible horse. For a horse that really didn’t move that well to see all the 10s come up for her flying changes was incredible. I am so proud of what we produced that day on a technical level. She gave me everything.

4. Biggest win

At Kentucky in 2009 I had planned to put 6 strides in before the big hedge into the water but Brit picked up on 4 and sprung into the lake. It completely put me off my line for the next fence so I had to make a big loop and take the alternative. When we came out of the lake we were 24 seconds down on the clock. Apparently all the riders watching back at the start said, “there is no way she is going to make up the time”. The last 4.5m of that course was the most exhilarating ride or my lift. I think it was the best I have ever ridden because I didn’t hook at all. She came in on time pulling my arms out. She came out the next day and looked great. I jumped the first cross-pole and she just felt right. I thought she would jump clear and she did. It was my best win with her.

5. Mother’s pride

My daughter Ellie first rode Brit when we stopped over in Aachen in 2009 when she was five. I got on Ben Along Time and she rode Brit and we trotted and cantered around the main dressage arena. Some of the most special memories that I have are of Ellie riding her. She did her first hunter trial on Brit last Autumn and rode her at various lecture demos. Everyone might I have thought I was mad but I 100% trusted Brit. She was a lady and her motherly instinct came out in how she looked after Ellie. The fact that she could go from being a Pony Club pony to a four-star horse is what made her 1 in a million.

6. Saying goodbye

I am so grateful that I had those 10 minutes to say goodbye to Brit and thank her for everything. They were very special to me. She was a professional until the end. We always had to undo her bridle to take it off and right up until she was put to sleep she still wouldn’t let me touch her ears. I have been so touched by the responses I have had since her death and to see how much she meant to so many people. It is not just the number of people that have written but it’s the thought that has gone into what they have said. We had a great life together I will be eternally grateful to her.

Take a look back at Headley Britannia’s career in pictures

This article was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (10 April 2014)

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After the sad news that Headley Britannia has been put down after a cross-country schooling accident, H&H looks back at highlights of this special mare’s career from our picture archives.

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Diminutive mare Headley Britannia has been put to sleep at the age of 21 after an accident cross-country schooling.

Ridden by Lucinda Fredericks, the 15.3hh mare won all 3 Rolex Grand Slam events — although not consecutively — taking Burghley in 2006, Badminton in 2007 and Kentucky in 2009.

She amassed 1,479 British Eventing points during her career.

“We were cross-country schooling in the beautiful sunshine and she was being ridden by Alexandra [Smith, Lucinda’s working pupil] who has been riding her for 5 months,” Lucinda told H&H.

“She was going brilliantly, we had jumped about 20 fences, and then she landed on perfect ground over a small jump and she just crumbled.”

Brit broke her radius bone in her left fore and a vet was called to put her to sleep.

“I am so grateful that I had about 20 minutes so say goodbye to her and thank her for everything,” Lucinda added.

“Amazingly she stood up and we took her saddle off and popped a rug on her. She was staring into the distance and it was a really personal moment between us.

“She was so calm and a complete professional until the end.”

Brit was retired from the top levels of the sport in 2012, but went on to win the CLA Game Fair Express Eventing competition last July.

Last month she competed at Aston-le-Walls unaffiliated horse trials finishing 9th in the intro class with Alexandra.

“Alex had been riding her so beautifully. I was so proud of how she and Brit clicked,” Lucinda said.

Brit was cremated this morning.

“We are going to place some of her ashes in the garden and plant a tree,” Lucinda said.

“We are going to take the rest up to Salisbury Plain and allow them to blow around free up there.”

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Headley Britannia proved that age is just a number when she trounced her much younger rivals in the Express Eventing showcase at the CLA Game Fair (21 July).

The diminutive 20-year-old mare led throughout all three phases of the competition to complete on 21.45pen for Lucinda Fredericks. Their nearest challenger, Sam Griffiths riding Real Dancer, scored 28.25.

A delighted Lucinda told H&H: “It was bliss. It was just like getting back onto your old comfy sofa.

“She was the ultimate professional and felt no different to how she was 5 years ago.”

“This competition is ideal for her because it is less physical,” Lucinda added. “She just loved all the attention and was immaculately behaved.”

Brit was officially retired at this year’s Badminton Horse Trials (6 May) having amassed 1479 British Eventing points. Among her greatest achievements were wins at Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky 4* events, plus team silver at the Beijing Olympics.

Although retired from top flight eventing, Brit is in regular work and is often ridden by Lucinda’s 9-year-old daughter Ellie.

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Headley Britannia, Inonothing and Lenamore looked fabulous in their joint retirement ceremony at Badminton Horse Trials

Former Badminton Horse Trials winners Headley Britannia and Inonothing were joined by Burghley Horse Trials champion Lenamore for a public farewell in the main arena at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials on Monday 7 May.

Accompanied by commentary from Ian Stark, the three elite eventers enjoyed a emotional lap of honour (pictured), before having their saddles removed and being led from the arena in front of their adoring fans.

All three horses looked in excellent condition and belied their ages, with 20-year-old Lenamore requiring two grooms to contain his exuberance as he left the arena.

• Headley Britannia’s career in pictures
• Lenamore’s career in pictures
• Inonothing’s career in pictures

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Eventer Headley Britannia (Brit) was officially retired at this year’s Badminton Horse Trials (6 May 2013). Ridden by Lucinda Fredericks, the 15.3hh mare — born in 1993 — has amassed 1479 British Eventing (BE) points during her career.

She won all three Rolex Grand Slam events — although not consecutively — and is currently the only mare to have done so, taking Burghley in 2006, Badminton in 2007 and Kentucky in 2009. Brit also has a silver team medal from the 2008 Beijing Olympics to her name.

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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Owner-rider Lucinda Fredericks tells H&H about the little mare with the heart of a lion.

Fact file

Name: Headley Britannia

Stable name: Brit

Age: 19 (but don’t tell her)

Height: 15.3hh on her tiptoes

Sire: Jumbo

Dam: Alans Bambi

Discipline: eventing

Owners: Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks

Rider: Lucinda Fredericks

Groom: Emily (Emz) Young-Jamieson

Top results: the only mare to win Kentucky, Burghley and Badminton

Five things you didn’t know…

1 Two of Brit’s foals were born in the same year that she and their sire (Jaguar Mail) competed at the Beijing Olympics.

2 She was bred by Mike and Betty Hounsell – Lucinda Fredericks also rode Brit’s full-brother Headley Kingdom for his owner. “He was like a Rolls-Royce, whereas Brit is my Mini,” explains Lucinda.

3 Brit is not keen on water and had been eliminated in events prior to coming to Lucinda.

4 Brit likes to be first on the walker and to be ridden. If not, she pulls faces.

5 Lucinda has dislocated my thumb twice riding Brit, once when she was going cross-country and she banged it back into place on Brit’s neck while galloping round — ouch!

To read the full interview with Lucinda Fredericks about Headley Britannia see the 16 February issue of H&H

Get all the latest eventing news

Are you looking for a new eventer this season? View H&H’s online database of horses for sale

Headley Britannia is to retire, eventer Lucinda Fredericks has revealed to H&H in an exclusive interview in today’s magazine (15 March).

• Read today’s magazine for exclusive news of Brit’s retirement plan“Brit”, who is 19, will formally retire at Badminton Horse Trials (3-7 May) – the four-star event she won in 2007 – and not try for Olympic selection.Team Fredericks decided to draw a line under Brit’s amazing career having felt the preparation runs required, in the lead up to a possible Olympic entry, would be too risky.“She is so valuable to us that I could never forgive myself if I had asked her to compete one more time at this level and something had happened to her,” said Lucinda.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.When she won Kentucky in 2009, she became only the second horse ever to win three different four-stars (Pippa Funnell’s Primmore’s Pride was the first).But because of hard ground she has not competed at advanced level since coming second at Chatsworth in 2010.Her most recent outing was the open intermediate at Tweseldown last year, which she won.In December Lucinda told H&H that she hoped to compete her for “one more season” at top level.But she made the decision to retire Brit after a lot of soul searching.“She has been a part of our family for 10 years and owes us nothing more,” she told H&H.

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The final 50 of 100 shares in a pair of Headley Britannia’s foals – whom their owners believe to be together worth £200,000 – are now on sale.

And Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks expect them to sell very quickly.

“The first 50 shares [released in August 2010] were bought by six people as an investment opportunity,” said Clayton.

“We expect a similar number to buy the rest. They are a really valuable commodity.”

“Brit” had a colt, Britannia’s Mail, and a filly, Little Britannia, by embryo transfer in 2008.

The pair are by Jaguar Mail, who was ridden by Swedish showjumper Peter Eriksson at the 2008 Olympic Games – where Brit also competed.

Shares went on sale on 8 December, costing £1,850 plus VAT for a 1% stake in both.

“We don’t know yet how far the horses will make it up the grades, but they have all the potential,” said Clayton.

And as shareholders get a stake in the pair’s breeding potential, the stallion alone is a great investment, he added.

The horses, who will be four years old in 2012, are now backed and in light work.

Another of Brit’s foals – Ruby, by Grafenstolz – is on the ground and two, by the Fredericks’ stallion Mr Big Cat, are due next year.

“Milly [Little Britannia] is just like Brit in temperament but taller,” said Lucinda. “Marley [Britannia’s Mail] is a really cheeky boy, with masses of character.

Their movement, attitude and athleticism shine out even at this early stage,” she added.

Headley Britannia was the first mare to win Burghley in 33 years when she claimed the four-star event in 2006.

The following year, 2007, she became the first mare in 53 years to win Badminton.

The Fredericks are producing the horses and came up with the scheme so they can guide them through their careers.

Lucinda said: “The plan is to produce them both through to the British young event horse (BYEH) classes, then take them to Le Lion d’Angers as six- and seven-year-olds.”

A British Eventing spokesman said around 42 event horse syndicates

are registered.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (29 December 2011)

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The British Horse Society (BHS) is auctioning off 15 celebrity-donated items on eBay in the run up to Christmas this year.

Signed photos from Piggy French, Richard Dunwoody and Simon Cowell, as well as original equine artwork and signed books from Jilly Cooper and John Francome are on offer.

And a one-off commissioned Stevenson Brothers’ rocking horse in the form of eventing superstar Headley Britannia is high on the bidding agenda.

All proceeds will go towards their ‘Drawing the Line’ campaign, which aims to educate people on responsible breeding and the implications of overproduction.

Supporter of the campaign Mary King said: “In the UK we end up producing too many unsuitable horses and ponies which face an uncertain future.

“That’s why I support the BHS’s campaign and want to urge people to ‘Think before you breed’,” she said.

The BHS’s campaign – launched in 2009 – is also supported by top riders and TV personalities including Team Fredericks, Carl Hester, Martin Clunes and Clare Balding.

A full list of the auction items is available on the BHS website. Visit: www.bhs.org.uk

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Read the latest Lucinda Fredericks news

Born Lucinda Murray in 1965, Lucinda Fredericks was successful for many years eventing for Britain, finishing sixth at Badminton in 1992 on Arctic Goose and earning a reserve slot for the Barcelona Olympics that year.

But Lucinda’s greatest results have come since she swapped to her husband Clayton’s nationality – Australian – in 2002.

Although she was a multiple winner at three-star level, wins at four-star level evaded Lucinda until she formed a brilliant partnership with the diminutive mare Headley Britannia, which has resulted in wins at Burghley (2006), Badminton (2007) and Kentucky (2009), plus a team silver medal at the Olympics in Hong Kong in 2008.

Lucinda has also ridden at grand prix level in pure dressage and was long-listed for the Sydney Olympics with Azupa Gazelle in this discipline.

Lucinda lives in Wiltshire with her husband Clayton Fredericks and their daughter Ellie (born 2003).

Lucinda Fredericks videos

Lucinda Fredericks and her gallant little mare Headley Britannia earned a standing ovation as they remained on their dressage score to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Lucinda burst into tears as she left the arena and was greeted by her husband Clayton, who won this competition in 2007.

A delighted Lucinda said: “Headley Britannia has been the most wonderful horse. What more could you possibly ask for? She’s come all the way from Wiltshire in England to beat some of the best in the world. I’ve had the best week of my life.”

The top three all jumped clear over Richard Jeffrey’s flowing track in Kentucky’s magnificent large arena, where the pressure on leading riders grew as the course was proving eminently jumpable and a mistake could prove expensive.

Germany’s Bettina Hoy was gracious in defeat after her gripping battle with Lucinda throughout the competition. She punched the air in delight after the 18-year-old Ringwood Cockatoo jumped with a clean round, just rattling one fence which luckily stayed in its cups.

Buck Davidson (USA), 33, scored his best ever four-star result, to finish third on his exciting new ride My Boy Bobby.

Nicolas Touzaint and Hildago de l’Ile remained on their dressage score to move up to fourth place, while Lucy Wiegersma was the best placed British rider in fifth on Woodfalls Inigo Jones after jumping a clear round.

William Fox-Pitt on Seacookie and Oliver Townend, who frustratingly had the last fence down on Carousel Quest, finished sixth and eighth, split by last year’s winners, Phillip Dutton on Connaught in seventh.

Four-star newcomer Tim Lips (NED) slipped from fourth to ninth with two rails down, but he won the HSBC FEI Classics Training Bursary worth $1,000, awarded to the highest placed rider competing at their first four-star.

The next leg of the HSBC FEI Classics series takes place at Badminton Horse Trials (7-10 May).

Results

1. Lucinda Fredericks/Headley Britannia (AUS) 32.3

2. Bettina Hoy/Ringwood Cockatoo (GER) 38.4

3. Buck Davidson/My Boy Bobby (USA) 40.2

4. Nicolas Touzaint/Hildago de l’Ile (FRA) 44.3

5. Lucy Wiegersma/Woodfalls Inigo Jones (GBR) 44.4

6. William Fox-Pitt/Seacookie (GBR) 45.9

7. Phillip Dutton/Connaught (USA) 47.0

8. Oliver Townend/Carousel (GBR) 49.2

9. Tim Lips/Concrex Oncarlos (NED) 50.0

10. Stephen Bradley/Brandenburg’s Joshua (USA) 52.6

www.rk3de.org

Don’t miss H&H’s full report on all the action from Kentucky in this Thursday’s magazine, on sale 30 April, ’09

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Lucinda Fredericks has taken over the lead at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, USA, with a thrilling round on a super-fit Headley Britannia, to finish inside the optimum time, the first time she has achieved this at four-star level.

Bettina Hoy is now second, having clocked 9.6 time penalties in a courageous and accurate round on the 18-year-old Ringwood Cockatoo amid temperatures of 85 degrees, albeit with a cooling breeze.

Both riders produced vintage performances of what do across country when it doesn’t all go according to plan. Lucinda lost her knitting when “Brit” launched into the Head of the Lake and had to think quickly with an alternative route. Bettina reacted equally quickly when Cockatoo took off alarmingly far out at the first of two big corners at fence 22.

“I had an exhilarating ride,” said Lucinda, “but it took me a while to get into it, as I only ride one horse at this level. But after the water, I think I started to ride better. She is feisty, but she is also careful, and you have to place her. It was easier at the big fences near the end of the course.”

Bettina was emotional after her ride. “I think the heat may have got to him, and I didn’t want to go any faster than felt right, and I had to help him. He owes me nothing and every competition is a bonus.”

Lucinda now has a fence in hand over Bettina in the final jumping phase, but the next riders are closely bunched together.

Buck Davidson punched the air as he finished clear on My Boy Bobby and retained his third place with just 1.2 time penalties. “I knew his not being a Thoroughbred would be an issue, and he did run out of gas, but he dug deep and I’m so proud of him. Show jumping is his best phase, so now I’ve done my job, I hope he does his.”

Tim Lips retained his fourth place, recovering from a couple of hesitant moments with aplomb. Nicolas Touzaint, inside time on Hildago de l’Ile, rose from seventh to fifth.

Lucy Wiegersma is best of the British in sixth after an impressively assured performance on Woodfalls Inigo Jones, a horse she has had since a foal. “He is always fabulous across country,” she said. “The big surprise is how well he went in the dressage. He has a tendency to get starstruck and he’s never seen anything like this.”

Oli Townend was a class act on Carousel Quest, finishing on a clean sheet and moving up one place to seventh. William Fox-Pitt is eighth after giving Seacookie a masterful ride.

William had a run-out with Navigator at a narrow brush fence at the Normandy Bank at 25, but the horse had lost a shoe at fence 9 and William put this down to green-ness. “He is was as good as I hoped.”

Nicola Wilson has risen 11 places to 15th after a brilliant round on Opposition Buzz. “Everyone says what a great cross-country horse he is, so I was a little nervous about getting it right. But he was super; he gave me a wonderful ride and was much calmer at the start. He can sometimes run through the bridle at the start of the course, but I had stuck to riding him over only very small practice fences and, as a result, he was much nicer.”

Mike Etherington-Smith’s course, with its flowing, forward distances, rode as well as expected and there were 30 clear rounds from the 46 horses who started across country; 38 finished.

The day’s only casualty was the sad death of Mike Winter’s horse Kingpin, which collapsed and died on landing at fence 10. The horse was found to have bled internally. Mike was taken to hospital, but discharged, and he withdrew his second ride.

Don’t miss H&H’s full report from Kentucky in next week’s magazine

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Lucinda Fredericks headed an enormous field at Barbury Castle CIC***, sponsored by St James’s Place, on Headley Britannia. Last to go in a rain-soaked reverse-order cross-country phase, the little mare flew the hills and joyfully took strides out to ping the big fences.

William Fox-Pitt was runner-up on Parkmore Ed, fourth on Ballincoola and fifth on Tamarillo, all of whom looked superb. Clayton Fredericks was immaculate on Ben Along Time to take third.

Britain’s Olympic hopes were boosted by excellent show jumping performances, and Mary King wasn’t far off the main prizes, finishing eighth on a fit-looking Call Again Cavalier.

Team-mates Daisy Dick (Spring Along), Kristina Gifford (Miners Frolic) and Sharon Hunt (Tankers Town) went well in 14th, 17th and 20th places respectively.

Mark Todd, riding in his first high-profile British event for eight years, scored 50.6 in the dressage and show jumped clear on Gandalf, but stopped at the narrow fence out of the sunken road at 22. Mary King also ran out here with Imperial Cavalier, and Sharon Hunt parted company with Good Sport II.

Read Barbury Horse Trials results

Read Horse & Hound’s full report on all the action from Barbury Castle, in this Thursday’s magazine, on sale 10 July

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Lucinda Fredericks (pictured) reminded the Australian selectors just how good she is when she took first place in the dressage in the CCI**** at Luhmühlen, Germany, this afternoon.

Lucinda made a last-minute decision to swap last year’s Badminton winner Headley Britannia into the four-star — she was originally entered for the CIC*** — and the little mare responded with her best score to date at this level, 32.6.

Although there are only 24 starters in the CCI****, the standard in the dressage has been high, with the home nation’s Simone Deitermann scoring 35.4 with Flambeau H 3 for second place.

Andrew Hoy provided the third sub-30 score with Moonfleet. He will be looking to put behind him a fall at Badminton’s Huntsman’s Close when he was in the lead after dressage.

Final rider Julie Tew is best of the eight-strong British contingent, lying fifth with Sir Roselier. Fellow Brit James Robinson is just behind her in sixth with his partner from the 2005 European Championships, Comanche. This pair re-routed to Luhmühlen after James fell off in the water at Badminton.

The CIC*** competitors did their dressage yesterday, with the top five places being taken by crack German combinations.

Bettina Hoy broke the magic 30 barrier with Ringwood Cockatoo, leading with 29.6. She is pursued by three German team members from last year’s European Championships — Ingrid Klimke (FRH Butts Abraxxas), Frank Ostholt (Air Jordan 2) and Hinrich Romeike (Marius Voigt-Logistik).

Up-and-coming German rider Beeke Kaack performed her best ever dressage test with Sinjang 2 — with whom she rode as an individual at the 2007 Europeans — to lie fourth equal with Hinrich.

The cross-country for both classes is tomorrow, with the CIC*** first, starting at 10.30am local time (9.30am in Britain).

Results and times from Luhmühlen

RESULTS AFTER DRESSAGE

CCI****

1. Headley Britannia (Lucinda Fredericks, AUS) 32.6

2. Flambeau H 3 (Simone Deitermann, GER) 35.4

3. Moonfleet (Andrew Hoy, AUS) 39.3

4. SS Jett (Karin Donckers, BEL) 41.8

5. Sir Roselier (Julie Tew, GB) 45

6. Comanche 22 (James Robinson, GB) 45.2

CIC***

1. Ringwood Cockatoo (Bettina Hoy, GER) 29.6

2. FRH Butts Abraxxas (Ingrid Klimke, GER) 33.9

3. Air Jordan 2 (Frank Ostholt, GER) 34.3

4=. Marius Voigt-Logistik (Hinrich Romeike, GER) 36.1

4=. Sinjang 2 (Beeke Kaack, GER) 36.1

6. Stand By Me 4 (Linda Algotsson, SWE) 41.3

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Headley Britannia’s second foal by embryo transfer was born to surrogate mare Bear last Friday night, 6 June.

Lucinda Fredericks, rider and owner of the 2006 Burghley and 2007 Badminton winner, reported that the bay colt, who has no white markings, is smaller than her first foal, a chestnut filly born on 24 April, but is doing well. Both foals are by Jaguar Mail.

This good news should provide a boost for the Fredericks family, who have suffered some bad luck recently, including the loss of Clayton’s four-star ride Nullabor in a freak accident at Saumur.

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There was never any danger of Laura Bechtolsheimer, who has been on all the British dressage teams through ponies to her senior team debut this year, thinking Lucinda Fredericks’s ride Headley Brittannia was enormous. Her first comment — “she really is pint-sized” — is not at all surprising, bearing in mind the smallest horse Laura has is only a fraction under 17hh, and Douglas Dorsey, her team horse, is just under 17.3hh.

In fact, 15.3hh “Brit” owned by Hong Kong-based Katinka Thorburn, is probably the smallest horse Laura has ridden since her European team pony, Golden Dancer. However, size isn’t everything, as the 2006 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials four-star title the mare picked up proves.

As Laura, who used to event before concentrating on dressage, gets up on Brit, Lucinda advises: “She’s like a little bubble to ride. Don’t be frightened of revving her up, she’s better that way but she always stays rideable. The only thing to remember is don’t touch her ears — she hates it.”

“Where’s the neck,” jokes Laura as she walks out of the American barn towards the arena, comparing the conformation and “slightly” more conservative movement of Brit with that of Douglas, her big-moving warmblood.

Lucinda watches Laura ride her pride and joy around the arena. “It is a bit unfair on them both,” she says. “Poor Brit has only had three schooling sessions since Burghley. She’s spent most of the time hacking on the plains with the children and Laura has come straight from the World Cup qualifier at Olympia. Brit’s trot must feel like a sewing machine to her — I reckon it takes me a minute longer to do a CCI**** test than anyone else.”

After warming up the little mare, Laura asks for a bit of lateral work — first shoulder-in and then half-pass. “She is very rideable,” observes Laura, “and she does the lateral work very easily. But sitting to that trot — I can feel her bouncing me out of the saddle.”

Moving up to canter, Laura tries some tempi changes and pirouette work. These movements are not required in horse trials but Brit is working at advanced medium to prix st georges level at home.

At Lucinda’s suggestion, Laura tries an extended trot — the mare earned nines in her Burghley test for the movement. There is no doubting Laura’s surprise. “Where on earth did that come from?” she asks, as Brit flashes across the diagonal.

Revved up a bit more, the mare throws some passagey steps before Laura brings her back to walk and gives her a pat.

“That was brill to watch,” says Lucinda. “You have her much more ‘up’ than I do and I reckon if I sent her to you for six weeks you would have her sorted. I might just do that.”

At the end of the session, the offer “Fancy jumping her?” meets definite agreement.

“You will find the more you press her the higher she goes,” says Lucinda, and so it proves, with the pair finishing off over a sizeable fence. The verdict?

“Great fun. I was amazed how much bigger her stride became when we were jumping,” says Laura. “She was incredibly pingy. In the barn, she looked so small to have done what she has, but having sat on her, I can imagine her jumping round Burghley — but not with me on board! She was incredibly easy and responsive, very through and supple.

“I was impressed with her canter pirouette work and she was even in both reins — in that respect, I hardly dare say it, better than most dressage horses.”

• This feature was first published in Horse & Hound (21 December, ’06)

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