Lucinda, Little Brit and Headley Britannia
The greatest eventing mare of our time may have retired from top competition this year but that is not to say that her time in the spot light is over. Indeed in November she will take part in the Express Eventing competition at HorseWorld
Headley Britannia is no small name in the world of eventing. Her unique partnership with Lucinda Fredericks saw them take out three of the world’s biggest 4* competitions at Badminton, Burghley, and Kentucky. Her win at Badminton in 2007 was the first for a mare in 53 years and she is the only mare in history to have taken out the trifecta. Whilst still competing at an elite level, Brit kicked off her breeding career via embryo transfer and she did it in style. There could be no better match then fellow Beijing Olympian and winner of the 2007 sire of the world competition, Jaguar Mail.
The result has been two young horses who are bursting with their parent’s talent. Britannia’s Mail (also known as Marley) is a four year old stallion and he has grown up alongside his sister of the same age, Little Britannia (or Milly) at the Fredericks’ home of Rosegarth in the United Kingdom. The two talents have thrived in the nurturing environment of Team Fredericks and to Lucinda’s delight, their first year of competition has come with much success.
“What’s been really rewarding is that they are so easy in the temperament,” she said. “They love the cross country, they’re easy to ride and they’re well balanced.”
Milly (above) is very much like her decorated mother. She is chestnut, very bright and picks up new skills easily. The four year old is also sharp and quick to her fences.
“She’s more like Brit to ride,” Lucinda remarks. Whilst the filly likes her own space and will pull faces, once you get up to her she is very cuddly.
Marley (above) has adopted his father’s looks and the best of both parent’s talents. “He’s a very good looking horse, very well put together, he’s got a great temperament, a super jump, and to be honest it’s all too easy for him.”
Marley has a lovely personality and that special quality that stops people in their tracks. He is trainable and easy to handle, despite being a stallion.
That is not to say that both horses haven’t been hard work and Lucinda admits that their first few competitions were exhausting. Young horses are extremely unpredictable and Milly and Marley were no exception. “I had to concentrate so hard, every second of sitting on them.”
Milly and Lucinda at Burnham Beeches
Even for an elite rider, young horses are hard work and Lucinda has some tips for those who are just starting out with youngsters. “Put the ground work into them, there is no short cuts,” she says. “Be brave, get them out to the competitions, get them out into the public eye as soon as you feel ready, you don’t have to go and win.” Young horses benefit from having a lot done to them and you need to put the time in throughout their first few years. “Get them out before they get too big, too strong and too opinionated.”
The 2012 British eventing season is coming to an end this month and both foals have achieved some great success in their debut year. Marley came second at Barbury BYEH (Burghley Young Event Horse) qualifying him for the Burghley event. At Burnham Beeches in August Milly came first, ahead of her brother in second place, which qualified them for the Championships at Osberton International Horse Trials at the end of September. In the Four Year Old Championship at this event, the filly and stallion finished on their dressage scores, coming 9th and 12th respectively. “They’ve just turned out to be such little competitors,” Lucinda says proudly.
The plan is for the pair to compete at the Young Horse Championships at Le Lion D’Angers as six and seven year olds but they still have a full season of five year old competitions to do next year. The pair are so trainable, Lucinda admits that they were more than capable of doing a higher level of competition this year. “They’re so ahead of themselves, I have to make sure I don’t do too much.” For now though, their season has come to an end and they are having a well deserved two month holiday. This should give them some time to grow and for Marley to focus on his role as a stallion.
He has already covered two 4* mares and has a 100% success rate so far. He is very fertile and is about to go off to stud for two weeks where his semen will be frozen and tested so it can be sold internationally. This will ensure that enthusiasts around the world will be able to reap the rewards of some fantastic bloodlines.
If breeding is not an option, there is still a way to be a part of these exciting young talents careers. Milly and Marley are owned as a joint syndicate and shares are still available. A 1% share in both horses is £1,850 + VAT plus an annual upkeep cost and shared eventing fees. With the knowledge and skill of Lucinda to bring these young horses along and such talented parentage, it is a unique opportunity to own a little piece of the future of eventing. For more information on the syndicate you can contact Emma Charlton - [email protected]
Article by Emily Penney
