Gold Buckle Final winner Mat Holz with the $100,000 winner's cheque.

© Jo Thieme

Mat Holz and Nonda Last Frontier claim Willing Park Gold Buckle

By Equestrian Life

The final day of action at Willinga Park’s World Championship Gold Buckle began shrouded in mist, with the first competitors in the camp from 7am. As the day gradually cleared and the sun emerged, competition quickly began hotting up.

Ninety-four competitors took on the challenge in the Gold Buckle Semi Final, all vying for a coveted slot in the 28-horse Final where a $100,000 winner’s cheque would be on the line.

The Semi Final went to Will Durkin and Durkins Jewel on an impressive score of 90, just ahead of Troy Palmer and Who’s Divine, and Mat Holz with Nonda Last Frontier, both on 89.66.

Will Durkin on Durkins Jewel produced the highest score in the Semi Final of the Gold Buckle.

© Jo Thieme

After a short break, it was time for the Final. Mat Holz and Nonda Last Frontier, third last to run in the draw, produced a brilliant performance late to claim the Gold Buckle and lucrative winner’s cheque. They pulled out another score of 89.66 to finish on an aggregate total of 179.32. Nonda Last Frontier (Conman x Nonda Dottie Papunya) is owned by Graeme and Jody Rozynski.

Gold Buckle Final winner Mat Holz riding Nonda Last Frontier.

© Jo Thieme

Second place in the Final went to Hugh Miles and his own Chic Acres on 179, while third went to Mark Buttsworth and his own Yulgilbar Agile Playgirl on 178.33.

Following the main event, the Junior, Juvenile and State of Origin classes kept the crowd entertained. Chelsea Gardiner and Cahoots Cracker won the Junior class on 83, while the Juvenile and State of Origin classes are still underway at time of writing.

Earlier at the Gold Buckle

On Thursday, Steve Comiskey claimed Round 1 of the Gold Buckle with Bill and Christine Matton’s Katie, while Mark Buttsworth claimed Round 2 on Friday with Yugilbar Agile Playgirl.

Friday also saw the 4CYTE Ladies Dash for Cash taken out by Vicki Hiscock on her own Mewburn Bamalam, while Mark Buttsworth on Peps Double Rey won the Cut Out Final.

Cut Out Final winner Mark Buttsworth and Peps Double Rey.

© Jo Thieme

Vicki Hiscock, pictured here with Terry Snow and Josh Gibson, won the 4CYTE Ladies Dash For Cash.

© Jo Thieme

What an amazing event; a true credit to the vision of Willinga Park’s Terry Snow, wife Ginette and the wider team who worked so hard to make the Gold Buckle bigger and better than ever this year.

Congratulations to all competitors, and bring on 2023!

You can re-watch the action via our live stream, thanks to 4CYTE and Barastoc, here.

Stay tuned for a replay of the Gold Buckle Final on our channels!?

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