After dressage and cross country, Olympian Heath Ryan was in the lead from former student Emma Mason with 3.9 penalties between them.

“Emma rode a fabulous show jump round, being the only rider to go clear show jumping,” Scone Horse Trials President Margot White said.

“Heath had to go clear to hold the winning spot but he had one rail, and the former student beat the Master.”

“Our event attracted large entries and all three phases were watched by many spectators.

“The show jumping finale kept the large crowd on the edge of their seats,” Mrs White said.

“It was great to have all of Australia’s top riders at our event but many of our local riders were also successful,” she said.

Mrs White thanked volunteers for their many hours of work.

“Mt Arthur Coal have been wonderful sponsors, not only providing top prize money that enables us to attract the top elite riders, but also providing volunteers from their work force and they were a great help,” she said.

The Belltrees Pre Novice Junior was won by consistent Denman rider Karla Wicks on Foxhill Westminster and the inaugural Richardson Eventing prize for the highest placed local rider – from Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter Shires – was won by junior rider Kirstin Waller of Singleton, who beat Scone Horse Trials committee member and show jump coordinator Serena White to this prize.

On Saturday night riders, officials, spectators and supporters gathered for a fun barbeque at the Linga Longa Hotel in Gundy.

Scone Horse Trials’ next event is on September 25 and 26.

Winners:

OPEN: 3 Star - Emma Mason on F1 Pharinellii; 2 Star - Chris Burton on Haruzac; 1 Star A – Shane Rose on Star Am I; 1 Star B – Christine Bates on Adelaide Hill; Pre Novice A – Emma Armstrong on Cassilis Park Pendragon; Pre Novice B – Stuart Tinney on Kinnordy Genuine; Preliminary A – Emma Mason on Poker Pace; Preliminary B – Michelle Robson on Il Vici; Preliminary C – Samantha Farrar on High and Dry; Introductory A – Christine Bates on Delago; Introductory B – Kirstin Waller on Mia; Introductory C – Emma Armstrong on Hass; Newcomers A – Kristen Skinner on Hass, Newcomers B – Lucy Herbert on Joc.