IT WAS Wiltshire riders all the way in the top sections at the Aldon BE (British Eventing) one day event in Somerset - the first big event in the 2012 south west eventing calendar.

Australian Paul Tapner, based at Highworth, made his presence felt in the top Advanced Intermediate section, which he won four times in a row to 2010.

This time he was second on 2010 Badminton winner Inonothing, who continued to make a superb return after more than a year out injured.

Tapner had to give way to another Badbury-based Australian Olympic gold medallist Andrew Hoy.

The 53-year-old won by just over two and a half marks on Cheeky Calimbo, winner of a one star title in Italy last month, and was third on the Rutherglen, the other horse to end on his dressage score after faultless jumping.

Little Cheverell’s Lucinda Fredericks was fourth on Mr Miller and Andrew Nicholson, dressage leader in the section, slipped to fifth when Mr Cruise Control had just one show jump down.

The New Zealander based at Marlborough, made up for it with a two-point win on Viscount George in one of two Open Intermediate (OI) sections, beating Irish international Austin O’Connor.

Bishopstone’s Rodney Powell led the second OI section, the former Badminton winner leading by more than five points on Conair.

Nicholson had one show jump down on third-placed ride Tristar, who was having his first run in two years.

Tytherton Lucas-based Chris King was fifth on GI Master Caster and sixth on his 2007 Blenheim and Barbury Castle winner The Secret Weapon. King was also first and second on Novice rides Billy Bounce and House of Tudor.

Lacock’s David Doel, the British junior champion, won the OI U21 section on Kings Cross and was also third on Koyuna Sun Magic.