BRITISH riders hold four of the top five placings after the first day of dressage at the Blarney Castle international horse trials, with Elizabeth Winter and Gardeur holding a two point advantage over compatriot Lucy Challis (Mr Beluga), who is fractionally ahead of Sarah Bullen (Double Trust).

Gardeur, an eight year old stallion, had become extremely over excited at Wednesday evening's horse inspection with the prospect of a yard full of mares on offer, but managed to keep his mind on more mundane matters yesterday morning to produce the winning test and take a hold on the overnight lead.

Stuart Crawford of Co Antrim is the only member of the home side to have broken through the top British ranks, slotting into fourth with the chestnut Positive Spirit.

Crawford (21), who seems certain of a place on the young rider squad, was actually placed first by Isobel Reid, president of the three member ground jury in Blarney, but when the marks were averaged out to give him a penalty score of 50.4 it left him in fourth, just over a point clear of another British visitor, Helen James and the grey Barclay Square.

Wicklow rider Pam Horan tops the national class by the slimmest of margins with Broomfield Lad, and would have broken the 50 point barrier but for an error right at the beginning of her test when she trolled into the arena instead of cantering. That boosted her score by two penalties to leave her 0.2 clear of the chairman of the senior selectors, John Lyttle, whose test with Far Distant was marred by two resistances Eugene O'Doherty (Woodview Riverdance) shares third place with Jane O'Flynn, winner at Necarne Castle last autumn, and the grey Pucca Puccini.