York-area riders Scott Smith and Rebecca and Grace Walker all finished in the prize money at the first ever Welsh Masters Show Jumping Championships.

Riders from across Britain descended on the David Broome Event Centre near Chepstow keen to take one of 12 titles, catering for a wide range of riders and horses for the first time.

Barmby Moor-based Scott Smith, a top British senior international who has ridden for his country at World and European level, made the line up in the Welsh Masters 1.40m Grand Prix. He faced strong opposition, all chasing a £3,000 winner's purse, on the experienced stallion Cabri D'Elle.

"Sixteen horses made it into the jump-off and it was a very competitive class," said Smith, 30. "The course builder was Scotland's Mark McGowen and I have luck over his tracks - he built a long, full up to height 1.40m course this time."

Smith had an early draw against the clock and took a good lead with a fine clear on Cabri D'Elle, his partner of some years.

"I went as fast as I could and held the lead for a while, but Oxfordshire-based Geoff Luckett just got up to beat me in the end," he added. "Cabri D'Elle is 15 now and, having appeared on a World Cup and two European Championship teams, is winding down competition-wise now. He did a lot of stud work earlier this year so hasn't been out a lot."

The horse will continue to compete on British teams at Nations Cup competitions abroad, his first such outing being at Lummen in Belgium at the very end of June.

Myton-on-Swale-based sisters Rebecca and Grace Walker both finished second in their respective championships.

Rebecca, 21, was runner-up in the Welsh Masters 1.20m final on Polo Sport having only just returned to the saddle following a cruciate ligament injury.

"This was Rebecca's first outdoor show since her injury - she did the damage playing netball with her sister," said her father David Walker. "There was a big entry in the class, with 15 making the jump-off, and she was drawn first. With such an early draw she just had to go for it."

Rebecca also finished fifth in the Welsh Masters 1.15m Championship where Grace, 18, took second spot on the 17hh French bred horse Cemtavo.

"Seventeen made the jump-off in this class and Grace was drawn sixth," added Walker. "She went for it too - it was a very fast class - and held the lead until the penultimate rider. The prize money was good and it was an excellent show."

Grace is riding the 16.2hh grey horse Makerstoun as well and her twin sister, Alice, also showjumps, and is concentrating on young rider and ladies classes at the moment.

Updated: 11:07 Saturday, June 25, 2005