I was thrilled recently when the stars aligned, and my being home in England coincided with the inaugural Team Fredericks Eventing Camp held over three days the week before the Wilton Horse Trials which is local to the Fredericks’ Rosegarth base. Catering specifically for riders in the UK who might not otherwise get a chance to ride with them, Lucinda and Clayton were tentatively calling the camp a success when I visited them about half-way through, but their students were much more enthusiastic,
I also spoke to Liz, Ruby and Karen who all agreed that the three days intensive training made a difference too – taking time off from work and concentrating on their riding exclusively was a real treat, and they told me they were learning exponentially from watching all the other riders during the rest of the day too. The morning I was there was pole-work, and the lessons were basically the same throughout the levels. Lucinda worked with the riders on, amongst other things, the adjustability of their canters – doing poles on a circle and putting different numbers of strides in between them, and the horse’s response to the aids; all fairly common but she watched each one with an eagle eye.
Clayton and Lucinda take it in turns teaching, so while Lucinda was busy in the arena with her students, I grabbed the opportunity to talk to her husband in between rides,
If you haven’t heard Clayton’s sing Will to Win, you can listen to it here.
Rosegarth is a compact yard, unassuming from the road and on the outskirts of a typically picturesque English village, but once inside the gates it’s got every equestrian mod con you’d expect from one of International Eventing’s Power Couples – an american style barn housing horses, tack, wash stall/solarium (equine!), a large all-weather arena, a round pen, a covered horse-walker, of course the ubiquitous mac-daddy lorry, but probably most importantly of all – easy access to spectacular hacking. While I was there, multiple horses went out in pairs or solo, while Clayton schooled a couple on the flat around the students, and also took a couple out hacking as well.
Look who I spotted returning from a nice hack on the hills? Headley Britannia herself!
I’ve known Lucinda for quite a long time, but only as a competitor, and I’ve always had an extremely healthy respect for her drive and ambition, so it was a surprise for me to see how obviously passionate about, and involved she is in her teaching as well. Of course I expected her to be thorough and sound, but she was completely in her element. Absolutely focused on every rider for the whole morning without a break; part cheerleader, part drill sergant and in one instance temporary jockey just to prove a point. Lucinda seemed to be enjoying it every bit as much as her riders, and it was very refreshing to see this other, perhaps more relaxed, maybe more maternal side to Lucinda than under the intense pressure of a four star competition. No wonder all the students were singing her praises, and telling me they were already saving up to return to camp next year, I only wish I could have stayed for the afternoon to watch Clayton teach too. Don’t be lulled into any sort of false sense of security though! Lucinda is still as sharp and current a rider/teacher as you could find, and not afraid to voice her opinion. Liz asked her about the water jump at Barbury being take out of the competition a few weeks ago,
and she also made sure to spend time after each session discussing rides and technique.
The last ride of the morning was the youngest, and also included Ellie Fredericks, age 7, riding Toffee, (in front, above) who according to Ellie, has jumped 1m. (that’s about 3 feet).
Lucinda drew breath for a couple of minutes while the course was adjusted, so I managed to ask her a couple of questions.
If at all possible, I hope Lucinda and Ellie do have a restful sunday, and wish the entire Team Fredericks a safe and successful Autumn campaign, as well as the same to all the Eventing Clinic Students as they take their new skills home to put into practise on their own. I’d like to thank Clayton, Lucinda and everyone at Rosegarth for their patience in talking to me, and putting up with Harry and I taking pictures all morning. (As a side note to fellow Aussie & ipad addict, Eventing Safety John, when I finished my video interview with Clayton on my iphone, he did remark that Horse and Country do EVERYTHING on an ipad!). Go Team Fredericks and Go Eventing!
Pepsi
