LUCINDA Fredericks is certain that she made the right decision in choosing to retire her legendary mare Headley Britannia at this year’s Badminton Horse Trials.

The 19-year-old Brit will not compete with Fredericks at this summer’s Olympic Games and the Australian rider, who is based in Little Cheverell with her eventing husband Clayton, says that the horse’s retirement had been a long time coming.

As well as team silver at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Brit has victories at Blenheim, Badminton, Burghley, Rolex Kentucky and the Hickstead Eventing Derby under her belt, as well as the lowest-ever finishing score at a four-star event of 32.3 penalties, set at Kentucky.

Fredericks, who began riding Brit in 2002, paid tribute to her ride’s glittering career.

“It had been plaguing my mind for some time,” said 44-year-old Fredericks.

“She’s like a pony and because she’s so small, I knew that I’d have to work her jolly hard to get her ready for London 2012.

“She’s 19 years old and we decided that it was the best thing to do because we love her so much and myself, Clayton, our daughter Ellie, our groom and everyone else have so much respect for her.

“Anything can happen with horses and we couldn’t risk her breaking a leg or having a heart attack.

“She’s a special horse and she’s done so much – it was a hard decision but the support I’ve had already has been fantastic.

“I’m sure it’s the right decision.”

Headley Britannia will go on to work with the Fredericks’ eight-year-old daughter Ellie.

Fredericks will aim to qualify seven-year-old Prada for London 2012.

Former Great Britain rider Fredericks currently competes under the banner of Australia, which has been the case ever since her marriage to Clayton.