From www.teamfredericks.com, it was announced today that the great mare Headley Brittania is retiring from upper level competition and will not be aiming for the London Olympics. The 15.3h, 19-year-old mare will have an official retirement ceremony at Badminton.
As Lucinda Fredericks says, “Her record is outstanding, starting with a win at the first event I
rode her at in 2002 and the last event in 2011. In between she won
Blenheim 3*, Badminton 4*, Burghley 4*, Rolex Kentucky 4*, the Hickstead
Eventing Derby, 3rd Luhmuhlen 4* and a Silver Team Medal at
the Beijing Olympics. It is very tempting to try one last time for
Gold, especially as she is so fit and well, but she is very precious to
our team and family and at her age have decided that to push her to the
highest levels again will be too much to ask.”
What’s left in Brit’s future plans? Hopefully teaming up with 8-year-old Ellie Fredericks, and there are plans for breeding via embryo transfer. Brit already has two ET foals, Little Brittania and Brittania’s Mail, sired by Jaguar Mail in 2008.
