An Australian couple, Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks, became star riders of the first session of eventing individual dressage held in Hong Kong Saturday at the Shatin Equestrian Venue.

After Saturday's morning session, Lucinda provisionally came first with 30.4 penalties, followed by her husband Clayton who scored 37. Gina Miles from the United States ranked third with 39.3 penalties.

"She's very consistent. She's such a horse that you can trust completely," Lucinda was much satisfied with her horse -- Headley Britannia's performance, adding that she's small and easy to maneuver around the arena.

Clayton Fredericks, and Lucinda Fredericks, who were both 41 years old. They were both on the Australia team for eventing. Clayton ranked No. 20 on the latest FEI individual eventing rankings and Lucinda was No. 77.

The husband and wife also trained Hua Tian, an 18-year-old promising equestrian talent who is riding for China at the Beijing Olympics.

Talking about the Cross Country course at Beas River, Lucinda said it was tough and that her horse was 100 percent fit and suitable for the course.

She said that she did not got any tips from her husband but he reminded her to keep an eye on the time and go down the central line.

While Lucinda told the press that she did not think much about gaining medals but just did her best in the arena, the husband showed his ambition in stepping up on the medal podium. "I have always said that she's going to be my biggest competitor," said Clayton who was confident in netting a medal with a score of 37.

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2008)