United States Eventing Association

Galway Downs’ international course designer Clayton Fredericks is down-to-earth, fun and funny. You wouldn’t know from a casual conversation that he’s juggling many roles in the equestrian world. They all come into play when he’s plotting routes for horses and riders.

“One of my strengths is my experience from all over the world,” he says. “I try to reflect that in my course design so that people and horses can experience a look they might see if they compete abroad or if West Coasters compete back East. They won’t be taken by surprise.”

Horsemanship and competition are the foundation of Clayton’s diverse resume. “Freddo” is a 2008 Olympic silver team medalist for his native Australia, a two-time FEI World Cup champion, two-time World Equestrian Games medalist and winner of the Kentucky Three-Day CCI4* in 2007.

Ben Along Time was Clayton’s partner in many of those peak competitive accomplishments.

The year 2012 was a big year for Clayton. He hit #4 on the International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) world rankings and represented Australia in the London Olympics. He moved to the United States that year when appointed technical advisor for the Canadian Equestrian team, a post he held through the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Serving on the FEI Eventing Committee and as Chairman of the Event Riders Association are additional roles that informed his broad and influential perspective on the sport.

A Rider’s Perspective

Clayton competed at the 4* level as recently as 2023, but he “gradually” decided to stop pursuing team spots last year. “That’s something you’ve got to be focused on 100%,” he reflects. “When you get to that stage where you can’t be totally focused on improving yourself and your horse on a daily basis, it’s time to step away.”

He still campaigns a few horses in high level show jumping classes. And he rides regularly at his Fredericks Equestrian International home base in Ocala, FL, where the city’s mayor recognized Clayton with keys to “The Horse Capital of the World®” in 2013. “I showed four at a schooling show recently and it nearly killed me!”

Clayton’s program finds, imports and develops young horses. Identified with an “FE” prefix, horses from Clayton’s program are competing successfully with amateurs and professionals throughout North America.

Clayton’s newest role is that of selector for the Australian eventing team. He attended CHIO Aachen in July to observe potential team riders. Naturally, that involved watching them navigate Giuseppe Della Chiesa’s tracks – one of many examples where Clayton’s work in one area contributes to his work in another.

“We’re training what we’re testing,” Clayton notes of his overlapping skills and experiences. “As a rider, I really have an appreciation for how tough this sport is. As a course designer, I actually do want everyone to have a good ride. I’m not trying to catch or trick anybody. It’s a tough job to get it right and the margins are very small.”

Another example of overlapping enterprises is FEI-Stabling, which Clayton started after experiencing subpar stabling at major competitions. Galway Downs was one of the first venues to embrace the innovative, modular stabling. Made of durable galvanized steel frames and double-walled HDPE partitions, the stabling offers wide aisleways, easily cleanable walls and ample power. It gets high praise from exhibitors for safety, ventilation and comfort.

“I could see there was an opportunity to have a high-quality stabling for shows,” he says. FEI-Stabling mainly rents the barns, but some customers keep them as permanent property additions.

On Course at Galway Downs

Hosting the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds, is an exciting milestone for Galway Downs. Clayton is confident that horses and riders coming for the August 27-31 championship will be appropriately impressed with the venue and its cross-country tracks.

When he took over from the legendary Ian Stark in 2020, Clayton acknowledges the task was “a bit tricky” because of Southern California’s dry climate and ground conditions.

“We’ve got such a great team and we’ve had a few years behind us to experience how the ground reacts to different treatments. Our system of irrigation, watering, dragging and preparing is really producing consistent moisture content and consistent conditions throughout.”

“We are getting it right for the horses,” he continues. “You can see that in the way horses are feeling good, confident and happy for the final phase of show jumping. They look well and they’ve kept their jump.”

“Saying all that, we really do have a focus on the safety of the horses. We pay special attention to the ground lines, the way fences are dressed and how horses see the fences. Even in our most testing combinations, we make sure it’s very clear for the horse and rider what the tasks are.”

A Busy Life

In his busy life, Clayton counts on his wife Lisa to keep him organized. “I’m lucky to be married to a very organized, talented logistics person who manages my time,” he says. “She makes sure I’m in the right place at the right time and that allows me to focus on the task at hand.”

Clayton and Lisa also chase their 5-year-old son, Hunter. The handsome youngster has been to Galway a few times already, but not this past fall for the Galway Downs International. Hunter and Lisa stayed home during the competition’s Halloween weekend. Via video, Clayton kept track of Hunter’s adventures as he trick or treated as Chase, a character from Paw Patrol, Clayton reported.

Hunter is not riding yet, but during a recent holiday he was “eyeing a paddock of ponies picking out which one he wants.” Clayton jokes “We’re looking for a lame one so he won’t go too fast!”

If Hunter does get serious about riding, Clayton has horse dad mileage to call on for that parenting odyssey. His daughter with Lucinda Fredericks, Ellie Fredericks, is a 4* rider. “It is different to experience the sport as a dad,” he says. “It can be a little nerve wracking, but actually she’s pretty talented and I have a lot of confidence in her ability. The main thing is ensuring she’s on good horses.”

In-between 4* horses at the moment, Ellie recently decided to ride for Australia. “Once she has a horse in team contention, that would be an end to my career as an Equestrian Australia team selector, but that’s OK. It would be fun!”

In the meantime, he’s excited to see AEC contenders experience Galway Downs as the premiere equestrian venue it has become.

About the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC)

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is the pinnacle of the sport at the national levels. Held annually, the best junior, adult amateur, and professional competitors gather to vie for national championship titles at every level from Starter to Advanced. This ultimate test of horse and rider draws hundreds of combinations from around the country to compete for fabulous prizes, a piece of the substantial prize money, and the chance to be named the National Champion at their respective levels. In fact, the 2021 AEC garnered over 1,000 entries and now stands as the largest eventing competition in North American history. The 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held on Aug. 27-31 at Galway Downs in Temecula, California. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.

The USEA would like to thank Presenting Sponsor: Nutrena Feeds; Advanced Final Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Level Sponsor: Bates Saddles, Marshall+Sterling Equine Insurance; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartEquine, Standlee; Silve Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Kerrits, The Jockey Club; Bronze Level Sponsors: Athletux, Canter Culture Riding Apparel, The Chronicle of the Horse, Devoucoux, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis, Majyk Equipe, Retired Racehorse Project, Ride EquiSafe; Contributing Level Sponsors: CrossCountry App, Santa Cruz Animal Health, #WeRideTogether; and Prize Level Sponsors: Equilab, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Gallagher’s Water, Horses 4 Your Consideration, LeMieux, Practical Horseman, Ride iQ, Sidelines Magazine, Werkman Hoofcare USA, and Whitfield Equine Nutrition.

About the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will take place at the 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at Galway Downs in Temecula, California on Aug. 27-29, 2025. Thanks to Adequan’s amazing support, the Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will bring together the country’s top riders to vie for $60,000 in prize money and the title of Adequan® Champion. To qualify for the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final at the AEC in 2025, competitors will need to complete a minimum of two events without cross-country jump penalties at any USEA recognized Advanced horse trials, CCI4*-S, CCI4*-L , CCI5*-L, World Championships, or Olympic Games. Click here to learn more about the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final.

About the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships

The Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships, which debuted in 2014, is the capstone event for the USEA Area Adult Team Challenges, providing adults the chance to compete as a team and represent their Area of the country in a friendly and fun environment. Historically, adult riders had three regional Team Challenges in which to compete with fellow adults in a team environment, with the locations changing each year. In 2013, the USEA Adult Rider Coordinators voted to move to support Adult Team Challenges taking place in all 10 Areas across the country, with the finale being the ATC at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds. Each Area can send up to eight teams from Starter Level to Modified Level to the ATC. Adult Riders know how to have a good time, and there is no doubt that they bring an increased level of excitement and camaraderie to the AEC! Click here to learn more about the USEA Adult Team Championships.

The USEA would like to thank ATC Title Sponsor, Adams Horse Supply, and contributing sponsors ARMA, The Chronicle of the Horse, Equilab, Kerrits, Marshall+Sterling, Nutrena Feeds, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, and SmartPak for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.