Willa Newton and Hartacker. Photo by SPIHT/Peter Nixon.
Willa Newton has taken a commanding lead in the CCI4*-L, riding Camilla Behrens’ 14-year-old Hartacker. Third in the CCI3*-L in 2025, the pair returned to Perthshire to record the only sub-30 mark in the class of 27.6. Molly Duda, who represented the USA at the FEI Under-25 World Championships in Millstreet last month, lies in second on 31.5 aboard Jutopia.
Leicestershire-based Willa has been riding Hartacker since the start of last season, with the horse being produced up to four-star by Izzy Taylor.
“He has always been pretty good at dressage but I was just pleased everything came off how I wanted it to,” said Willa, who is trained in this phase by Bettina Hoy. “I really enjoyed every minute. I am so grateful to Camilla for letting me ride him and I feel like I’m starting to know him better.”
Hartacker’s highlight was his flying changes.
“He was so soft and relaxed,” Willa said. “He’s an old-timer now but he can sometimes anticipate things, whereas today he was really rideable.
“There’s a lot of atmosphere, which actually helped me a bit. He was calm outside and I wondered if I’d overdone it, but he went in and felt lovely. He’s such a nice character – he has his quirks and you have to be quiet around him but he’s the kindest person and very happy to be here.”
Willa added that she is “looking forward” to the cross-country test, designed by event director Alec Lochore. “It’s a really good course, with lots to do.”
Also for the USA, fellow FEI Eventing World Championships for U25 Riders competitor Quidley Kellerman also hits the top six with Blakeneys Cruise with a score of 33.0. Molly Duda is also in eight with Carlingford Hes a Clover (36.3).
Gemma Stevens and Cooley Park Muze. Photo by SPIHT/Peter Nixon.
Gemma Stevens, the 100th and final rider into Scone Palace International Horse Trials’ main arena for the Malcolm Group CCI4*-S, forged into the lead with Cooley Park Muze on a score of 28.4.
“He was really with me and his flying changes were a highlight,” said Gemma of the 10-year-old owned by the Rex Syndicate. “He’s such a dude. He prowls around like he owns the place. That’s what they need to be a top-class horse.”
Favourite with equestrian sports statistics company EquiRatings to win this competitive class, Gemma overhauled long-time leader Emily King and her CCI5* stalwart Valmy Biats by just 0.2 of a penalty.
“Valmy was very good, but he almost knows too much now in that he guesses what I’m doing, so I have to be extra on it – especially in a four-star test which is less intense than a five-star,” said Emily, who was third here with Valmy in 2025.
Perthshire’s Wills Oakdens slotted into third aboard his Badminton ride Keep It Cooley, on 29.7.
But this phase was all about Gemma Stevens, who has three in the top eight, thanks to Chilli Morning IV, fourth, and Chilli’s Jester, eighth.
“Three in the top 10 is pretty cool,” she said. “I came here to be competitive!”
Izzy Taylor holds first place on 26.9 in the CCI3*-L, with Barrington Boy, an eight-year-old owned by Johnny Hornby.
Just 0.4pen behind is Ros Canter on Broadstone Lion Man – last year’s CCI2*-L winners -, with Emily King a whisker away in third on Angell’s Choice.
Piggy March steered the home-bred Diamond March to lead the Brooks Macdonald CCI2*-L on 24.4, nearly 5pen clear of Tom McEwen (Brookfield In The Spotlight).
“He’s got 10 out of 10 from me today,” said Piggy of the seven-year-old, owned by Susie Wood and the March Stud. “He was extremely professional, and nailed his halts and rein-back. He’s a big, soft baby who’s still growing into himself, so this is his Badminton.”
In the Malcolm Group CCI*-intro, Ireland’s Chloe Walsh, 17, holds a narrow lead on 28.3 aboard Enniskerry Masterpiece over Heidi Coy (MGH Fair Maid).
Ireland fill the top four places in the Project Pony CCI2* pony section, with Jonty Purcell, 16, in front on FHS Felicity..
As well as top-class international eventing featuring many of the world’s best riders and a wide range of showing, showjumping, arena eventing and other supporting classes, Scone Palace International Horse Trials features superb shopping with a carefully curated selection of local and national retailers, excellent food and drink options and hospitality packages.
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