WHITTINGTON TAKES EARLY LEAD
British rider Francis Whittington emerged as early pace-setter in the feature class of this year's Barbury International Horse Trials in Wiltshire.
Sussex-based Whittington and Easy Target - a combination that led following day one of dressage at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials two months ago - posted a score of 42.6 penalties to hold pole position overnight.
Lizzie Brown, who missed out on a place in the New Zealand team for next month's World Equestrian Games, lies second aboard Playtime NZPH on 43.2, with Dani Evans and Smart Time third.
Two four-star title winners from this season are well-placed though. Badminton champion Sam Griffiths is fifth on Favorit Z, and recent Luhmuhlen winner Tim Price holds fourth with Ringwood Sky Boy.
And in-form British rider Oliver Townend lies 11th on Armada as they target further success following their recent Badminton runners-up spot.
Whittington, meanwhile, moved into equal-sixth spot with his second ride Hasty Imp after being one of the late-afternoon starters.
The top 10 combinations are separated by just 6.6 penalties, setting up Friday's dressage action, when starters will include Townend's fellow world championship-bound Great Britain team members Zara Phillips, Pippa Funnell and Tina Cook.
In the supporting CIC two-star class, Australian Christopher Burton heads Section C on Wild Duchess, with Britain's Holly Woodhead and On Stage II leading Section B.
