Yass rider Natalie Blundell almost pulled off a remarkable win at the National Capital Horse Trials on Sunday, falling agonisingly short of overcoming a 10-penalty handicap in the one-star division.
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But Blundell is confident the event will be a perfect "stepping stone" for her international tour next month.
Blundell finished second and third aboard Algebra and My Aladdin respectively in the marquee competition at Equestrian Park in Curtin.
Blundell came in less than a point behind eventual winner Lauren Balcomb.
Taking out two of the top three spots was made even more impressive by the fact Algebra was hit with a 10-point penalty handicap before the competition started to give other riders a chance to match Blundell.
Blundell is in the final stages of her preparations for the Badminton Horse Trials in Britain in May, where she hopes to win selection for the world equestrian games in France in August.
"I'm actually really happy, in the scheme of things it was fantastic. Algebra got 75 per cent in the dressage and that's been a bit of our weakest element," Blundell said.
"It gives us a chance to get to Europe on the front foot ... it was a good stepping stone. I'd like to think My Aladdin is an up-and-coming horse for the future.
"I'm much more confident now before heading overseas. It was a good test on good facilities and I think Algebra enjoyed it."
The field in Canberra was bolstered by some of the best riders in Australia.
Christine Bates rounded out the top three with Blundell and Balcomb and Blundell believes the trio can compete for spots at the Rio Olympic Games.
Atlanta Olympic Games reserve in 1996, Claudia Hodgson, who is based near Hall, and Sydney gold-medal winning coach, Sam Lyle, also competed across a range of different divisions.
Blundell will compete in some more minor events before flying to England on April 16.
Blundell has been close to Olympic selection for the past three Games, but has continually fallen just short.
She hopes to make amends and compete at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
"I'm just going to try to do a lot of dressage days because that's the hardest to get right [for Algebra]," Blundell said.
"Lauren won and I think she's got a horse for the future and Christine Bates is also in the Rio squad. We've all got some nice young horses which could go all the way and Rio is definitely in the back of our minds."
AT A GLANCE
Call Southern stars 1: 1st Lauren Balcomb on Guido Hatzis, 2nd Natalie Blundell on Algebra, 3rd Natalie Blundell on My Aladdin.
