AUSTRALIAN eventers Clayton Fredericks and Bill Levett starred at the weekend's Saumur International in France.
Fredericks, from Perth, rode his bay Holsteiner Bendigo to win the 26th running of the French three day event, with Bill Levett runner-up on One Two Many JN.
The two Australians were first and second going into the final jumping phase, with just 1.2 penalties separating them, and both jumped superb clear showjumping rounds to hold first and second on the podium.
Already a winner at Saumur in 2006 riding Ben Along Time, Fredericks once more wrote his name on the honour roll of the famous three-day event. The Australian Olympic Silver medallist didn't hide his joy at the presentation and related a story from 23 years ago.
" In (a competition in) Australia 23 years ago, we were again first and second before showjumping, " Fredericks said.
"Going into the arena, he wished me good luck but I, concentrating very hard, didn't answer him.
"Since then, Bill has always teased me about this, saying that I cut him dead.
"Today, when our paths crossed in the arena, I surprised him by congratulating him, saying he had done a great round; he smiled at me and said 'good luck' and 23 years later, the result was the same - I won."
Fredericks led from day one scoring 41.40 in the dressage, then jumped clear cross-country adding 4.80 time penalties to his score finishing after the showjumping on 46.20.
Levett was third after the dressage on 45.00 penalties, jumped clear cross-country, adding just 2.40 time penalties and clear showjumping to finish on 47.40 to make a super day for Australia. Piggy French, from England, was third, Andrew Nicholson from New Zealand fourth and Zara Phillips, the Queen's granddaughter, was fifth riding her new International horse High Kingdom.
Australia's Brook Staples finished 14th and Victoria's Sam Griffiths from Pearcedale was 18th riding his young horse, Danaan Prince.
Speaking after the dressage on day one, Fredericks said:
"He (Bendigo) is a good horse. He moves well and is very good looking.
"But the 12-year-old Holsteiner can sometimes be a little complicated. Let's say he sometimes likes to show off and doesn't always listen to me.
"That said, today he was pretty sensible, without doubt because of the heat. On the cross country, I intend to go straight everywhere with him, because he's here to qualify for the Olympics."
Bill Levett and One Two Many JN were third after the dressage.
"My horse generally does well on the dressage because he is very consistent," Levett said.
"The Australian is obviously pleased with his nine-year-old."
"This is his first Three Star and Saumur is the ideal competition for that. He has already done three International One Day Events where he was placed fourth twice and once sixth.
"We'll see how the cross-country goes. He jumps well, but is perhaps not quick enough. What counts is that he qualifies for the Olympics. It is for that reason we are here too."
The Saumur Three-Star cross-country changed the whole game with only three combinations of the 54 who started the cross country managing to come home in the time.
Speaking after his great cross-country round, Levett said: "My horse wasn't too tired, but still lacked little acceleration towards the end of the round.
"Still, I am very happy. I am even happier because I have had him since he was four. I have looked after him and taken my time to bring him to this level and here is my great reward."
Fredericks also had a smile on Saturday night although he could feel Bill Levett snapping at his heels.
"It is often like this when we have these two horses in the same competition," Fredericks said.
"They are always very close one to the other. I am happy to be at the top of the list and happy that Bill is so well placed.
"The competition will be tight right to the end but we are still friends - at least until tomorrow."
More seriously, the Australian was also happy with his Holsteiner.
"Bendigo jumped well and concentrated the whole length of the course, so I am happy," Fredericks said. "It's true that he was tired at the finish, but no more than usual. He is like that. He recovers quickly."
Less than a rail separated the top five riders as they headed into the showjumping.
Both Levett and Fredericks now have Olympic qualifications.
French rider Nicolas Touzaint won the International Two Star class, from New Zealand legend Mark Todd.
