CIC 3* winners Clinton Van der Sanden and Tarr Ritzi CIC 3* winners Clinton Van der Sanden and Tarr Ritzi at Canberra 2008 Photograph:Main Event Photography

The first three-star event in Canberra in eight years went off without a hitch as Bungendore rider Clinton Van der Sanden yesterday claimed the top-class title in the Canberra International Horse Trials at ACT Equestrian Park

Last weekend was the first time since 2000 a three star class had been run on the Canberra course after the 2003 bushfires destroyed the course and then last year's event as cancelled due to the equine flu crisis. But this year more than 250 horses and 140 riders took part in the two-day triathlon of dressage, cross-country and showjumping, in a number of different classes including three, two and one star and preliminary and junior preliminary.

Yesterday the result in the top class came down to the last ride, with Amanda Howell (Koyuna Tora Bora) riding last and needing a clean run in the showjumping to claim the win.

But Howell knocked down two jumps in her final round and 19-year-old Van der Sanden won his first three-star event aboard Tarr Ritzi his 12–year-old Thoroughbred gelding.

Van der Sanden said it was another step towards his goal of qualifying for a four star event the highest international level.

''That is actually my aim to ride the four-star at Adelaide in November which is the only four-star in the southern hemisphere.''

Van der Sanden moved from Berry to Bungendore last year, but the EI crisis meant the eventing yard he set up with his partner Nina Finch had not been able to get off the ground and the current national junior champion took up an apprenticeship in building and carpentry.

But he hoped this weekend's successful event meant equestrian would now be his main focus.

''We haven't been able to quite get in the swing of things after EI, we hope this is the start,'' Van der Sanden said.

Beijing Olympic silver medallist Shane Rose tested four horses on the Canberra course over the weekend and said the course had been ''fantastic''.

''It's been a very good event, on a personal note I was very happy with my horses,'' Rose said.

''But they have done an amazing job rebuilding the course after the fires and it is a really good course, it's tough without being too demanding and definitely posed a challenge and it's been a great event.''

Event Results

Photos to come