Equestrian: Tait leads Punchestown

New Zealand equestrian rider Blyth Tait continued to excel in his dual challenge at the Punchestown horse trials in Ireland yesterday.

Tait and veteran Ready Teddy led the three-star event after the cross-country phase and he was second on board Eze in the Olympic format section.

Punchestown represents the last chance for Ready Teddy, 17, to prove his credentials for this year's Olympic Games.

Tait and Ready Teddy are just 2.8 points ahead of British rider Lucy Wiegersma, meaning they remain under pressure to complete a clear round in the showjumping tomorrow.

On Eze, who is already qualified for the Olympics, Tait is 2.2 points behind Australia's Olympic champion Andrew Hoy and has a rail in hand from Polly Stockton, of Britain.

Other New Zealanders prominent in the event include Neil Spratt, on Haka, who is sixth, Dan Jocelyn on Special Attorney, ninth, and Andrew Nicholson on Arthurs Word, 11th.