Riders from NSW, Queensland  and Western Australia competed over the weekend in a variety of classes from starters at 45cm up to 18 elite Australian riders in the 2* class.

Beijing Olympic Games silver medallist Shane Rose from Werombi in  NSW and CP Qualified  –   shortlisted for the World Equestrian Games being held in Normandy, France later this year –  took the lead with a stunning dressage test. 

Close behind them was Emma Mason from Somersby, NSW with Poker Face, also on the Australian Eventing squad. 

Neither rider collected any penalties in the showjumping, leaving the cross country to be the decider. 

The reliable, experienced Poker Face nosed his way in front to snatch the victory for Mason, with Rose a very close second.

Queensland rider Mattae Davidson crept up from ninth after dressage with just a few time penalties cross country to finish in third place with Fairbanks Elle. 

Hayley Frielick from Glenorie, NSW was fourth with My Happiness followed by local favourite Isabelle Bowditch-McIntyre from Willow Tree riding Grandios.

Other local riders in the class included Amanda Young and Emma Hindmarsh from Tamworth, Michelle Carney from Scone, Victoria Farr from Armidale and Karla Wicks from Denman.

The organisers, headed by Daryl and Vicki Burgess from Quirindi, are set for further action this week with a two-day clinic for riders of all levels who will take part in dressage, showjumping and cross country lessons at the venue. 

The Quirindi Horse Trials committee are constantly providing ways to enhance the growth of the sport in the area, with the events and training opportunities growing each year. 

The next event scheduled is the Three Day Event being held in July, which will again be a well-attended competition on the NSW Eventing calendar.