3 Minute Read
28th August 2026
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 28.4.
“He was really with me and nicely forward,” said Gemma. “We’ve been working hard on his flying changes and they were a highlight.”
The 10-year-old, owned by the Rex Syndicate, is already a winner at this level and Gemma makes no secret of the high regard in which she holds him.
“He’s such a dude,” she said. “He prowls around like he owns the place. I think that’s what they need to be a top-class horse.”
Gemma overhauled long-time leader Emily King and her five-star stalwart Valmy Biats by just 0.2 of a penalty. Emily rued a rain shower that just held Valmy back from being “really expressive”.
“He 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. “I came to Scone last year and loved it. The going is incredible; they’ve done wonders and hopefully I can give him a good spin.”
Perthshire-based Wills Oakden flew the flag for Scotland with his Badminton ride Keep It Cooley, who slotted into third on 29.7.
But this phase was all about Gemma Stevens, who holds three of the top eight placings, 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!
“Chilli Morning is a cool customer. I was expecting a better score but I was thrilled with how he went and he’s still right up there.
“Chilli’s Jester finds the dressage phase hardest – he’s a really blood horse – and the improvement in him today was huge. We’ve been working so hard, and it’s so nice when they come to an event and show how well they’ve been working at home in the arena.”
