Heath Ryan has a 10-point lead in the four-star class going into today's cross-county phase of the 2010 Australian International Three-Day-Event in Adelaide.
Riding Mystery Whisper, Ryan impressed the judges to finish on 42.30 penalties, with fellow New South Wales riders Emma Mason (52.00, F1 Pharinelli) and Stuart Tinney (56.70, Watermark Grayson) second and third respectively.
Close behind is Olympian Wendy Schaeffer on Koyuna Sun Dancer with 56.80 penalties.
Event director Gillian Rolton says the competition had been of a high standard. "The dressage was a spectacular display of Olympic standard eventing and not even the rain could dampen the enthusiasm of crowds who lined the arena," she said.
The sole New Zealand entrant to line up at the AI3DE 4* class, John Twomey and Flaunt It, finished in 17th place with 71.20 penalties. Twomey is also currently sixth in the CIC ** with Highly Recommended.
The cross-country phase starts at 9am today.