United States Eventing Association

Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks to Teach Clinics in U.S.

Beat the winter doldrums this year, and check out this amazing opportunity to clinic with two of the top eventing riders in the world – Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks of Australia! Team Fredericks will be available at two U.S. venues – Decatur, Texas (February 5-7) & Aiken, South Carolina (February 9-11).

(Left: Lucinda Fredericks and Headley Britannia on their way to winning last year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Michelle Dunn photo.)Information about the Texas clinic:

The North Texas Eventing Association (NTEA) is very pleased to be hosting Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks in their first ever North American educational event at the USEA Team Fredericks Eventing Clinic the 5, 6 and 7^th of February at Denton Creek Farm in Decatur, Texas.

While others may be undertaking winter training in Florida or California, this clinic will provide an incredible training opportunity for eventers in the central states to hone their skills in preparation for the spring season. Three days of instruction will be offered with Friday’s dressage sessions comprising one hour semi-private lessons that will be used as an evaluative phase by which the clinicians will determine the groupings for Saturday’s show jumping sessions. Sunday’s focus will be riding cross country.

Friday evening, the NTEA board will host all attending ICP instructors at a private dinner with the Fredericks as an opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback in a small group setting. Saturday evenings “Eventing Extravaganza” will be filled with food, fun, prize drawings and friendly banter as the public is invited to fete the Australian Dynamic Duo of Eventing in a welcoming Southwestern fashion.

The clinic is limited to 24 riders total and 50 auditors, all skill levels are welcomed. Continuing Education Credits are available to ICP instructors who attend as riders or auditors. Applications and more information are available at www.nteventing.net.

(Right: Clayton Fredericks and Ben Along Time on their way to winning the 2007 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Michelle Dunn photo.)

How the heck did Texas get this amazing opportunity? Read to find out!

Texas may, in some folks eyes, be viewed as “The Outback of Eventing” so it stands to reason the Australian Three Day event riders Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks would view the Lone Star State as a likely destination for their first ever U.S. non-competitive appearance. But there is a little more to the story that began with a fortuitous elevator ride. Lori Calame of Denton Creek Farm in Decatur, Texas had just delighted in the Lucinda’s Rolex Victory at the 2009 Kentucky Three Day event and had returned with her posse to the hotel in high spirits. The effervescent Calame was struck agog when the weekend’s victor herself, with husband and 2008 Rolex winner Clayton in tow, alighted the very same elevator. Calame bubbled over with congratulations and told the couple they would be welcome in Texas anytime. Later in the evening at the bar, Calame and her friends were delighted when Team Fredericks stopped by their table to say hello again. Conversation continued, connections were made and Calame returned to Texas to approach her fellow Board Members for the North Texas Eventing Association with the concept of organizing a Team Fredericks Clinic. With a strong commitment to promoting the sport and particularly to offer means of education to Area V riders, the Board developed a plan for optimizing the training opportunity for riders and auditors. A particular focus has been made in encouraging the participation of USEA ICP Instructors, and a private dinner with the clinicians is being provided by the Board for all ICP instructors attending the weekend’s clinic.

Information about the South Carolina clinic:

Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks will be at Paradise Farm in Aiken, SC. The clinic will be Feb. 9, 10 and 11th. This three day clinic costs $350. The three days consist of your choice of individual Dressage lessons, or group Show Jumping (SJ) or Cross Country (XC) lessons. For those that do not want to sign up for all three days can sign up for individual dressage lessons for $150 or group SJ or XC lessons for $125. However, first priority goes to the thee day package that the Fredericks recommend, which is about 2 hours a day. Day 1: dressage and pole work. Day 2: SJ and technical jumps. Day 3: SJ and technical warmup and XC. Other lessons will be fit in around this structure. Limited stalls available for $25 per day. Download your clinic entry form or contact event coordinator Holly Payne at [email protected].