Donna Smith and Just Chocolate hold a narrow lead over Jonathan Paget and Clifton Airtight after today's dressage at the Puhinui three-day event.
Smith and Just Chocolate achieved a score of 51 penalties after the dressage to lead ahead of Paget, riding Frances Stead's Clifton Airtight, who scored 53.4.
Aucklander Simon Gordon holds third and fourth positions with Fletch.com and Simply Mitch on 55.2 and 55.6 respectively. Former Olympian Heelan Tompkins was fifth equal on Major Difference, level with Christen Hayde on Tandarra Sweet As, the national one-day champions, on 56.2.
The 12 combinations in this elite-level three-star class will tackle the cross-country track tomorrow. The course is designed by Titch Massey, who has aerated the ground to provide good footing for the horses, as well as building technically testing obstacles for both horse and rider.
Smith also leads the two-star class on Balmoral Sensation, and lies second in the one-star class on Balmoral Tall Jan, behind World Equestrian Games team bronze medallist Clarke Johnstone riding Call Me Al.
