Amerocan rider Clark Montgomery led from start to finish to win the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials today Riding Loughlan Glen, Montgomery went ahead on Friday after a near faultless dressage.

He followed that with clear rounds in both Saturday’s cross country stage and yesterday’s show jumping.

His final score of 33.8 penalty points gave him a commanding victory over Australian Chris Burton who was runner-up on Nobilis 18, with 42 points.

There was local interest as Kitty King (nee Boggis), formerly from Lew, near Bampton in Oxfordshire, finished a highly-creditable third on Ceylor L A N, with 44.4 points after going clear on the final two days.

“I couldn’t be happier,” said Montgomery. “It hasn’t always been easy, but we are having a great year.

“He deserves a good long vacation now and then see what is best looking towards the Rio Olympics.”

King added: “He is only eight, but jumped brilliantly. I couldn’t have asked any more from him.”

New Zealander Jonelle Price became the first rider to score back-to-back victories in the CIC3* for eight-and nine-year-old horses when she skilfully steered Cloud Dancer ll clear around the cross-country.