A superb effort by veteran rider Mark Todd has put New Zealand in a strong position after the dressage section of the three-day evening competition at Greenwich Park.
Todd, 56, is competing in his seventh Olympic Games, and he has seldom looked better than he did today, riding Campino.
He incurred just 39.10 penalty points to stand in third place among 74 starters in the dressage section.
Todd received excellent support from his team-mates, too, so that New Zealand held fourth equal position going into what is traditionally their strongest discipline, the cross-country.
It was a difficult day for the dressage riders, with rain interrupting proceedings on occasion.
Jock Paget, riding Clifton Promise, is in 17th spot with 44.10 penalties and close behind is New Zealand team captain Andrew Nicholson, who is also attending his seventh Olympics. Nicholson, riding Nereo, is 21st with 45 penalties.
Behind him is Caroline Powell, on Lenamore, in 43rd position with 52.50 penalties.
The fifth member of the New Zealand team, Jonelle Richards, aboard Flintstar, had 56.70 penalties for 55th place.
In the teams event, Germany, always strong in the dressage, lead with 119.10 points, but it is a very tight competition. Close behind are Australia (122.10), Great Britain (127), Sweden and New Zealand (128.20).
The cross-country section is next, with the showjumping on the final day.
