Australia dominated the final leg of the FEI World Cup Eventing Series at Le Pin au Haras (FRA) over the weekend, claiming the top four places.

The second place finish by Australia’s Chris Burton gave him enough points to take out second place in the global FEI World Cup Eventing Series behind New Zealand’s Clarke Johnstone (NZL).

The FEI World Cup Eventing series consists of eight CIC-W3* events in eight different countries across three continents, with the three most successful riders will share a valuable prize fund worth € 32'000.

Johnstone won the first two rounds of the competition. Burton finished as runner-up at Kihikihi, Sydney and Le Pin au Haras to secure 114 points, just four points shy of Johnstone.

The Aussie young gun recently moved to the UK as part of his London 2012 Olympic Games preparations and this second place ranking would be the results he is looking for less than 12 months out from the Games.

Burton and Newsprint were former winners of the prestigious Adelaide International CCI 4*event and more recently finished fifth place Gatcombe British Open.

Australia has an excellent record in the FEI World Cup Eventing since its inception in 2005. Clayton Fredericks has won the title twice, in 2005 and 2008 and Megan Jones finished second in 2010.

With Fredericks winning in Le Pin au Haras and Burton taking the second and third places, Australia National Eventing Performance Director, Prue Barrett, said things are looking on track ahead of London.

“We have two high performance programs running in parallel – a domestic and international program. Clayton is part of our international outfit and Chris hails from the domestic program, so to see them both finish on the podium, on the global stage, proves the whole program is on track.

“The results from the weekend are a testament to both Clayton and Chris and their owners, who have worked hard over many years to deliver these world-class performances.

“It was a great result from all the Aussie riders over the weekend who are a part of our squad listed riders,” she said.

The overall standings from the FEI are still to be released.

Final Round World Cup Eventing - Le Pin au Haras

Forty-seven combinations contested the final leg at Le Pin au Haras. Clayton Fredericks won the class on Dunges Laurent Rose, Christopher Burton finished second and third riding Newsprint and Holstein Park Leilani while Fredericks also claimed fourth place aboard Be My Guest. Further down the list were Australia’s Paul Tapner in 10th (Kilfinnie II) and Sam Griffiths 15th (Real Dancer) and 19th on Paulank Brockagh.

Fredericks was pleased to clinch victory in France, especially given he had equipment failure during the show jumping.

“It's really good to win here.  One of my stirrups broke so I jumped the last six fences with just one,” said Clayton.

“I really want to congratulate all the organising committee for all the work which have been done here, on the ground and the course

“I am thrilled to win the class and it is great to have two horses finish in the top four in a World Cup class,” he said.

Equestrian Australia