On the same weekend that saw Shane Rose win the Exhibition Eventing at Equitana Melbourne, Lucinda Fredericks won the Express Eventing 2012/13 series opener on Flying Finish, her Olympic horse at HorseWorld Live, ExCel, London.
Lucinda earned £3,000 in prize money in what was a spectacular opener to the 2012/13 Express Eventing Series where spectators at HorseWorld Live were treated to thrilling, edge of their seat entertainment. Sixteen of some of eventing’s most well-known names, ((including double Olympic Gold medalist Mark Todd, GB Team Silver medalist and six times Burghley winner William Fox-Pitt as well as notable young riders Emily Baldwin, Flora Harris, Will Murray and Tom McEwan) battled it out in London’s ExCel Arena for a share of the £18,875 Express Eventing prize pot.
Double Olympic Gold medalist, New Zealand’s Mark Todd was the runner up with NZB Regent Lad. The combination finished on a score of 26.55 after a superb show jumping round which saw many competitors fall down the placings. First timer, Emily Baldwin moved up the placings with her and J.Barker’s ride Drivetime to finish in third place. The athletes kept the approximate 3,000 crowd in suspense throughout the competition.
A delighted and emotional Lucinda said of her win:
“It has been a privilege to come here to London, I came here earlier in the year and had a little blimp in the lake [Olympics], which cost me dearly, but I feel really privileged to be back”
Lucinda climbed her way up the placings after leader William Fox-Pitt riding Sam Griffiths’ Real Dancer knocked four poles in his show jumping round but jumped the eraser fence to leave him with 12 jumping penalties, relegating him to fourth place.
The Express Eventing 2012/13 rounds will follow the format of the 2011 Series, consisting of arena-based disciplines: freestyle ‘dressage to music’, cross country and showjumping. Seven Team Principals have been chosen to lead teams in the 2012/13 Series, each can nominate a second rider and their cumulated scores will count towards to the final.
Individual results:
1. Lucinda Fredericks – 24.00
2. Mark Todd - 26.55
3. Emily Baldwin - 27.05
4. William Fox-Pitt - 29.95
5. Tom McEwan - 33.80
6. Lucy Jackson - 39.05
7. Will Murray - 42.85
8. Flora Harris - 43.10
9. Matthew Wright - 45.40
10. Bill Levett - 46.75
11. Aaron Miller – 48.40
12. Oliver Townend – 49.70
13. Austin O’Connor - 52.10
14. Kevin McNab – 59.70
15. Julia Dungworth – 87.80
16. Alex Hua Tian – Retired
Team Results
Team Todd – 60.35
Team Griffiths – 76.70
Team Meade – 86.75
Team Townend – 88.75
Team Wright – 97.50
Team Hobby – 136.20
Team Fredericks – 200.30
