Equestrianism: Fox-Pitt hard on heels of Australians

Australia's Megan Jones and Sweden's Linda Algotsson shared first place when the dressage phase of the inaugural Eventing World Cup Final was completed here yesterday. However, two Britons, William Fox-Pitt and Polly Stockton, are hard on their heels, a mere 0.8 of a penalty behind in joint-third place.

This was a satisfactory start for Fox-Pitt, who started as firm favourite after a fabulous record of five victories in a row on 17-year-old Stunning. Because of his advancing years, Stunning now concentrates on the sport's shorter format, which is being employed here. Stockton's 16-year-old mount, Oscar, who returned to competition in the summer after a year off through injury, also faces a similar restriction.

All four of the leading riders described today's cross-country course as "very tough", but they will nevertheless set out to tackle it with vigour. "I didn't come all this way to jump a slow cross-country round," said Jones, who has made the long journey from Australia for this one competition with Kirby Park Irish Hallmark.

Algotsson has a wonderful cross-country mount in Stand By Me, with whom she was individual silver medallist at last month's European Championships at Punchestown in Ireland. "He was really fresh after Punchestown, which is why I brought him here," she said.