WILTSHIRE riders Tom McEwen and Lucinda Fredericks finished in the money at the Subaru UK Houghton Hall International Horse Trials in Norfolk.

Hodson’s McEwen, 20, who has won gold for Britain at Pony and Young Rider European Championship level, scored a two-point win on Diesel in the CCI** (two-star three-day event).

“I can’t believe I have just won my first three-day event title – and on a horse I’ve produced from a four year old, which makes it all the more special,” said McEwen.

“Diesel jumped amazing all weekend and I’m so happy with him.”

McEwen, who made a promising four-star debut at Burghley last autumn on Dry Old Party, winning the HSBC Training Bursary for best debutante, took two other horses to Houghton.

“DHI Lupison was also in the CCI** and in the lead after dressage - he gave me a great ride cross country but a silly mistake took us out of the placings,” he added. “Then Rehy USA was second after dressage in the CCI*, where he was one of just two to get a score in the 30s. I was gutted when we had a misunderstanding cross-country and picked up 20 penalties.

“It proves the highs and lows of this sport but the horses were all on great form and will now have a holiday.”

Fredericks was in action in the top CIC***, where she was part of the Australian team competing in the International FEI Nations Cup.

This was the second leg in a new six-round world team series and the the Little Cheverell-based 44-year-old helped Australia into second spot behind Great Britain.

She finished fourth on the bay 10-year-old Flying Finish, who is likely to move up the top four-star level at the Luhmuhlen International in Germany next month.

“Flying Finish finished behind two of the top British riders, Piggy French and Sarah Cohen, and New Zealand’s Mark Todd,” said Fredericks.

“I think this means he’s notched up his seventh consecutive double clear at CIC three-star level.

“I didn’t set out to go really fast cross country but his speed increased as he went round and he came home with just over seven time penalties.”

Fredericks also clinched second spot in the CCI*, the first rung on the three-day event ladder, on the big bay seven year old Rovello II. The promising youngster was just .2 of a mark away from a win, with one show jump down costing him top spot.

“It was Rovello’s first one-star and I was saw delighted with his attitude and will to win, despite only having competed over the shorter novice cross-country courses previously,” she added.

Other local riders to go well included Lacock junior David Doel, ninth in the CCI** on Kings Cross, and West Littleton’s Harry Meade, 10th in the CCI* on Tall Story.

Pewsey’s Fiona Hobby was 10th in one of the two CIC*** sections on Roma M.L., who jumped a good clear cross country and had just one show jump down.

Lower Stanton St Quinton’s Kitty King continued her run of good form with a double win at the Mount Ballan BE (British Eventing) date in South Wales, at the home of Olympic show jumping medallist David Broome.

She won the five year old section on the ultra-consistent Ceylor Lan, a mark clear of the field for his third BE win in his first ever season.

King then topped a BE100 section on another five year old, Mad About U, who she owns jointly with long time supporter Ben Walden.

Junior international David Doel was second on his BE100 ride Mill Time, who was one show jump from a win, and Lynda King and Roo Fox picked up thirds on their Novice rides The Hit Man and The Little Bay Horse.

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