PAUL TAPNER from Highworth will bid to extend his lead in the fifth leg of the prestigious Event Rider Masters which takes place alongside The Equi-Trek Blair Castle International Horse Trials in Scotland this weekend.

The 12th-century estate is a fitting location to host some fierce eventing competition as the Scottish castle is home to the only private army in Europe – The Atholl Highlanders.

With the world’s leading event riders descending upon Perthshire battling for £50,000 and the opportunity to earn valuable points ahead of the series finale next month, the scene is certainly set for the penultimate leg of the Event Rider Masters.

Consistent performances have paid off for Australia’s Tapner, who has finished no lower down the order than 12th place in all four legs of the ERM this year.

Tapner has a commanding lead in the series with 87 points and this weekend he partners the lovely grey Kilronan, with the competition possibly being the combination’s swansong together. Tapner said: “I’m hoping the softer ground and galloping course at Blair will suit Kilronan.

"He is returning to his roots as he started competing in Scotland for what might be his final competition.

"He has been such a wonderful horse and I hope the weekend is a success for him and I am also able to hold on to the lead in the Event Rider Masters.”

Six ERM riders have made it back from the Olympics to compete this weekend, along with organiser Alex Lochore, also returning from Rio, where he was the technical delegate for the eventing competition.

Gemma Tattersall, who sits in second place overall in the series with 66 points, rides the eight-year-old Santiago Bay and will be hungry to close the gap on Tapner.

The Aussie stole the lead off Tattersall at ERM’s fourth leg held at Gatcombe Park earlier this month, while Gemma was competing in Rio as a member of Team GB’s eventing squad.

Tattersall said: “I’m really excited to be back competing in the Event Rider Masters at Blair. I missed Gatcombe, which gave Paul the chance to overtake me on the leaderboard, but I will be doing my best to get ahead again this weekend.”

Fresh from a team bronze medal performance in Rio is the current world number two Chris Burton riding Polystar I, who won his last start at Barbury in July. Burton is joined by his Australian team mate Shane Rose and his Olympic horse CP Qualified.

Both Chris and Shane will be looking for compensation in Scotland, after two costly poles in the showjumping of the eventing competition denied Burton the individual Olympic gold medal and with Rose having to retire from the Rio cross-country phase.

Three of New Zealand’s Olympic squad that could lay down a challenge on the ERM standings are Jonathan Paget (Angus Blue), Tim Price (Xavier Faer) and his wife Jonelle (Cloud Dancer).

Jonelle could be particularly influential on the leader-board if her ERM form continues. She currently lies in fifth on 47 points, which includes a third place podium finish at Bramham in June.

This weekend’s ERM competition can be viewed for free live on Saturday (dressage) and Sunday when the competition culminates with the showjumping and cross-country phases ran in reverse order.

Free streaming can be viewed from anywhere in the world at www.eventridermasters.tv