Team Fredericks Fuelled By Fodder

International Event Rider Clayton Fredericks knows a good thing when he sees it. Clayton has risen up the ranks from keeping his pony in his parents garage as a child in Australia to the Number 1 slot in the Eventing World Rankings. This year he has taken the step of feeding his horses on Fodder Solutions.

Clayton has always been very determined, hardworking and successful. For ten consecutive years as a youngster Clayton claimed the championship at the prestigious State Show Rider of the Year. Even when he switched to eventing Clayton appeared to have a midas touch, and having been crowned national young rider champion in Australia, he set out to take on the best in the world, travelling to Britain.

Having sold almost everything he owned to come to Britain in 1994, the pressure was on for Clayton to make it a success. He duly finished second in the CCI*** at Punchestown with Bundaberg in 1995, which ensured the selection of the pair for the Open European Championship team.

Clayton’s recent successes include taking the titles at Chatsworth, Saumur, the British Open Championship, he also took the individual silver and team bronze medals home from the World Equestrian Games. This year Riding Ben Along Time he won in Lexington Kentucky 4**** event for the Rolex Trophy.

To keep these consistent results coming in, the correct feeding of the horses is paramount, so decisions regarding a change of feeding regime cannot be undertaken lightly. Clayton discovered the Fodder Solutions feeding system on a trip back to Australia and became interested in the idea of the possibility of feeding it.

Back in the UK, a trial system was set up in Clayton’s yard and Fodder Solutions was fed to two of the hopeful Olympic horses. Clayton was very quickly impressed, “I have a mare who is not the easiest in the world and if anything would be a good test for keeping a horse quiet, she is it. And it worked! She is relaxed and is working well with plenty of energy. Her muscle development has been very good, she looks both lean and fit”.

Clayton is now feeding Fodder Solutions to his whole yard. He particularly likes the fact that with the Fodder Solutions feed he can significantly increase the amount of protein in the horses diets to help build up muscle without the risk of tying up. He said, “On the day after galloping, I might expect the horses to come out a little tight and sore in their muscles, but they are actually coming out soft and supple, so I’m sure the feed is having a beneficial effect on moving the lactic acid build up after hard work”.

Of the 30 competition horses in the yard, Clayton rides 12 and hopes that 6 of them will end up qualified for the Olympics. Wife Lucinda has 14 to regularly compete, 2 of which will be aimed at the games. All the horses are being fed the Fodder Solutions feed.

Competing isn’t Clayton’s sole occupation – an interim appointment to become chairman of the Event Riders’ Association has been extended and Clayton’s enthusiasm and commitment to improving the sport is undeniable. Clayton is also a valued trainer. He regularly travels to Germany and Hong Kong to teach, even acting as team trainer for the Hong Kong team at the 2002 Asian Games and many of his pupils have gone on to compete at CCI**** level.