THE opening horse trials of the season were held at the Mouser family's purpose-built equestrian facility in Tonimbuk.
Competing in uncharacteristic sunshine the competitors had only good to say about the facility, which boasts two indoor arenas as well as an excellent cross country course.
The dressage phase of the top hat and tails competitors doubled as the Saturday evening entertainment and spectators were able to enjoy a meal and wine while watching some of the best of the Australian eventers.
The International Equestrian Federation three-star class was dominated from the beginning by South Australia's Megan Jones, who took home the rug for first, with her home-bred Irish Sport Horse Kirby Park Allofasudden.
Leading from the start Megan, known for winning from her dressage score, this time collected a 10.8 in time penalties on cross-country, cementing her win with a clear showjumping round.
Second place also belonged to Megan Jones, this time riding crowd favourite Kirby Park Irish Jester, who was also second after dressage. Jester collected 11.6 time penalties and just the one fence down in the jumping.
Cassie Lowe's horse, Koko Black, was ridden by her boyfriend who would have been in the good books when he brought the horse home for third placing, rising from ninth after dressage to overall third placing with clear showjumping and just 12.80 time penalties on the cross-country course.
In the two-star Will Enzinger, from Wandin Park, blitzed his competitors, taking the winner's rug with Ruban Son, from Chris Height and Blackall Park Dartagnan in second spot.
Height was the only one to get a look in for the top four placings when Enzinger claimed third place with TS Jamaimo and fourth place aboard Wyuna Park Clear Image.
